What Level of Math Is Needed For Flight Training?

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dabanana27@reddit

I wouldn’t say you need anything beyond a high school level of math. What you do need however is a really good understanding of numbers and the ability to do quick mental math. My best students could easily answer multi-step math questions in their heads with good speed and accuracy, a trait that really helps in the air and in stressful situations. If you feel numbers come easy to you, and that most math classes are generally simple after learning how to solve various problems, then you don’t need more math. If it’s something you’re admittedly not great at, and a math course takes the majority of your studies, then I’d recommend going higher, and continuing math classes so the lower level stuff comes automatic.

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JPAV8R@reddit

Simple arithmetic. If you can add subtract multiply and divide (Or own/operate a device that can). You’ll be just fine.

For your PPL you’ll need to learn how to use a flight calculator or a E6-b and your instructor will walk you through it.

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Ashamed-Charge5309@reddit

How insufferable are they with calculators being around? Used to your average teachers here that cast looks that i'm sure set the devices on fire if it crosses their path

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JPAV8R@reddit

Most calculations are going to center around what’s called an E6B. It’s a manual calculator (think abacus) for determining things like wind correction. They also make electronic versions that look like your traditional calculator. The typical rule of thumb when I was a student over twenty years ago is “what do you do if the calculator breaks?” So while you can use the calculator on check rides knowing how to do the thing manually on the “abacus” is always a good idea.

Math is not a big part of the equation. Being able to multitask your eyes will become more important. Think of flying as spinning plates where every action has the potential to change how the plates spin and your job is to manage that all and keep them plates centered on whatever the hell plates spin on.

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Ashamed-Charge5309@reddit

E6B

Just looked one of these up, pretty interesting.

Seems like other posts around here are saying they are outdated/not to be relied upon in the cockpit (ie saturation/overload if you are fiddling with it, which tracks with your "spinning plates" aspect).

Most just use the onboard computers and such now in aircraft over the older methods?

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JPAV8R@reddit

Yes correct. The idea is to use the tools available. You should have sufficient backups to mitigate risk. For instance if you’re using a digital e6b have batteries in your flight bag. Use your Efb (usually an iPad). Dont let a fear of math keep you from flying.

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PlanetMcFly@reddit

The less the better. Just learn to solve math problems the way the FAA wants you to solve them, either using a digital flight calculator or the E6B.

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PaduaPanda@reddit

Lol none, any math you need to know can be taught to you by an instructor. For reference my dad dropped out of pre calc in highschool and hes got his atp now. I learned to fly in middle of highschool and all I had was highschool algebra 2.

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Mispelled-This@reddit

Understanding basic physics concepts is somewhat useful. But it’s not like anyone actually knows how lift works anyway.

The hardest math you’ll need is multiplying or dividing by three. LPT: dividing by three is the same as moving the decimal and then multiplying by three.

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TobyADev@reddit

I did gcse maths (up to 16yo for those non-UK), barely scraped a pass and I was absolutely fine at least at PPL level

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aLittleSkoof@reddit

Pilot math is not high level

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Av8torryan@reddit

The higher level of math you have , the more likely you will get all the written questions wrong, because the FAA does a terrible job at rounding errors.

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Computerized-Cash@reddit

My buddy did the division for how many question he got wrong divided by the total questions on a written test and it came out to 69.5% but the FAA rounds so he got a 70% recorded on his report.

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beastboy4246@reddit

It's the most infuriating thing when you use actual physics's to get precise speeds and times and the rounding they use just makes all of math vomit

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Full_Wind_1966@reddit

2nd grade math

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Comfortable-Reveal75@reddit

I swear they intentionally put the right answer and then write the most wrong possible interpretation of it…

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HappyBappyAviation@reddit

The hardest math you need as a pilot is a good grasp of word problems. Questions I ask myself every time I fly (numbers change, spirit of the question doesn't): - How much fuel, in minutes, do I have left if I burn 2000 lbs per hour, I need to land with 45 minutes of fuel left, and I have 3500 lbs of fuel aboard? - How long will it take me to fly 200 nautical miles at 120 knots ground speed? - If I have to be airborne at 1800Z, it is currently 1547Z, it takes 25 minutes to board and 15 minutes from boarding complete to wheels up, when do I need to begin boarding? - If I burn 13 gallons per hour on average, from start to takeoff I burn 3 gallons of fuel, my flight time is 1 hour 37 minutes, and I need to land with 1 hour of fuel remaining, how much fuel do I need to have before I start my engine to complete this flight? - The one we all grapple with is: if the rental costs $225/hr, instructor costs $75/hr, the flight will be 1.75 hours, I will burn 20 gallons of fuel, and fuel costs $7.00/gallon, how much will today's flight cost? (Answer: your favorite leg and your first born) - Finally what most of us wants to do: if the flight today is 2 hours and 38 minutes and I am paid $215.75 an hour, when can I afford that new boat/car/watch/airplane? If you can answer these without much issue, then you're golden. Ideally you can get close with mental math, but there is no shame in using a calculator to get your answer. The best part: you only need to show your work at the very beginning of flight training and during checkrides, depending on the examiner.

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Upper-Collection9373@reddit

Pretty basic for vfr flying, probably more of a mental math game than like sitting down and doing long division/physics calculations. The manufacturer already paid someone to do the hard stuff you just have to figure out which part of the chart to use (Google takeoff/landing distance chart for example). (Most) Everything can be spitballed to the closest whole number or sometimes the closest multiple of 10 etc.

like fuel burn “oh I use 5.7 gph, that’s basically 6 to be conservative, I’m flying for 50 minutes that might as well be an hour so I’ll need 6 gallons for that leg” I wouldn’t recommend that on a checkride tho.

E6B is pretty easy and fast once you get the hang of it and helps with bigger stuff

I think the hardest math I do is weight and balance tbh

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FlyingHigh67@reddit

Basic math is all you need to be a pilot. Upper level is required for engineering.

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andrewrbat@reddit

The math required is mostly basic addition, division, subtraction and multiplication. Occasionally more but mostly you use it to follow charts with a calculator. You don’t need to be especially good at math. My parents are both accountants but i suck at math and i do fine as a professional pilot, and cfi.

You need to know some basic physics too. Like highschool level. The rest is specific to aviation and is usually taught as part of flight training, though i HIGHLY recommend you read “aerodynamics for naval aviators” when you are in advanced training.

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jackpotairline@reddit

Can you multiples 3 x 1.

If so you’re set. That’s about as far as it gets and even then not often

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DDX1837@reddit

Basic arithmetic. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

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kevinossia@reddit

Can you add and subtract?

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Apart_Bear_5103@reddit

Basic Algebra

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RevolutionaryRun7744@reddit

Elementary level.

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Prestigious_Path_188@reddit

I am almost finished with instrument and have yet to need any math beyond basic arithmetic. Anything more can be done with a flight computer.

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Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit

can you multiply by 5 and divide by 3? that's is the hardest math i have to do as an airline pilot.

thank goodness they finally put a calculator app on the ipad to do that division by 3..

the calculator app is a life saver for converting C to F

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butterpig@reddit

Math?

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poser765@reddit

I can add, subtract most days, multiply with the help of google. Divisions? The fuck you think I am, Isaac Newton?

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Designer_Solid4271@reddit

I suck at math. Actually avoided even the concept of flying for a decade or more because I was afraid of the math involved.

It takes some knowledge, but it’s nowhere near as difficult as it sounds. Especially because what arg you do need is applied math- which I find considerably easier.

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Immediate_1200@reddit

CPL here… I don’t even know all of my times tables

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Barnzey9@reddit

Elementary level

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Screw_2FA@reddit

Fingers for basic VFR flying, toes also for cross country planning.

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Mike93747743@reddit

Rates/time, ratios, some basic trig. An abacus to figure out your salary. A supercomputer to calculate alimony.

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_-Cleon-_@reddit

I find myself reminded of high school physics and trigonometry a lot, but my CFI is neither a math nor a science guy.

IMHO this is a situation where more knowledge of math and physics definitely helps, but not having that background won't necessarily hold you back.

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mcmanigle@reddit

Yes, I'd put this in the same category as "being an engine person" or "getting electronics" or whatever.

Your life will be easier if you have a decent intuitive understanding of how much difference a wind at X speed at Y angle to your heading is going to cause to your track, or if you're approaching at this compass direction to a hold published on this track, which way should you turn, or whatever. A lot of trig.

And same with if you have some sense of "area under a curve" when it comes to fuel burn being high for this amount of time on climb-out, and then a little lower during cruise for a longer time, etc etc. Or forces changing when you're on the back side of the power curve or in ground effect. A little calculus.

But you don't have to have mathematical intuition for that stuff -- it just helps. You can just learn it procedurally too; it will just take up more of your brain space.

Same with engine management. If you understand really well what a carburetor or fuel injector or turbocharger are doing, and what happens when a cylinder runs hot, or what a manifold pressure or exhaust gas temperature means, your life will be a little easier. But you can also learn that stuff procedurally if you don't have the background.

Same with electronics. If you can glance at a system diagram and understand pretty quickly why X instrument is on the main avionics bus, and Y equipment is on the battery switch, how limit switches work on electronic flaps, etc etc, you'll have to study that part less. If electronics and power management is new to you, you'll just have to learn that part from the AFM or similar.

So for all of these things, you don't have to have some big background in them, but the more you understand, the less you have to learn later, and the faster the mental pieces fit into place when you're switching between airplanes etc.

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WeatherIcy6509@reddit

Here in The States if you can solve that distance=rate×time equation from high school, for rate, knowing distance and time, your good to go.

As for physics? Its maybe a 7th grade level of understanding. Airflow speeds up, pressure drops, kind of stuff.

Now, if you're in the UK, I believe they want you to have the level of knowledge of a college physicist and mathematics professor,...not to mention engineering, meteorology, and physiology, lol.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hey everyone! I’m about to graduate from university after a 4-year course, and I’m planning to enroll in flight school shortly after. Becoming a pilot has been a dream of mine as far as I can remember.

That said, I’m curious—realistically, how much math and physics are involved in flight training and the job itself? What level of mathematics am I going to work with?

I’d be happy to hear from you folks so I can brush up on my math skills and better prepare myself. Thanks in advance!

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