Descent planning questions

Maximillian_Jenius said:
True, I get it, see it now. But here's my main issue. When it comes to math, I'm almost dyslexic. And 100% visual, vs. mental. I have to see it with my eyes to get it, or to be able to tackle the problem.

In an interview you can't/shouldn't pull out your Galaxy phone, when they ask: "You're at FL350, and ATC needs you to cross DOGGS at 15,000. When do you start down? You probably also couldn't/shouldn't say. "Autopilot off, FLCH, green arc to DOGGS. Or another scenario when you're in the jet, you don't want to break out paper and a pen. Or bring out the E6B or the Galaxy 7.

So how in my case can I learn to quickly and mentally see the math in my head that FL350 -15,000= 20,000 ft. to lose. And 20x3= 60 So you would start your descent 60 miles out?

Pretty sure that I'm not the only visual learner here.
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That is correct. Then you just need to figure out your descent rate based on your ground speed.
 
Also, a lot of this thinking is handled by the avionics on newer aircraft and it can be easy to let it just do the thinking for you, but it is a very good idea to keep your head in the game and have a sense of situational awareness even though you have the information presented to you on the displays.
 
Beep said:
Also, a lot of this thinking is handled by the avionics on newer aircraft and it can be easy to let it just do the thinking for you, but it is a very good idea to keep your head in the game and have a sense of situational awareness even though you have the information presented to you on the displays.
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VNAV is far from perfect. :D

Hacker15e said:
The most complicated mathematical operation I've had to use in my entire aviation career was using SOHCAHTOA to figure out release angles and altitudes for bombing in the F-15.
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Yeah, I got nothin'.
 
Mavmb said:
I know you can multiply altitude times three. So 10000 to 4000 ft, that is 6000 ft to lose. 6 times 3 =18 miles.

This problem though seems more complicated. FL340 to FL220 with a 420 kt groundspeed and 2000 ft a minute descent?
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The secret embedded number is ... 7!
1=60, 2=120, 3=180 4=240, 5=300, 6=360, 7... ... ... =420!
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
Hey thanks. Yeah I got it, but now just need to be able to see math in my head and not be so dependent on being a visual learner. I think this book will help me with that a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Math-...198917&sr=8-1&keywords=Mental+Math+for+pilots
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In an airplane there's paper and pencil/pen. In an interview you should be allowed to use pen and paper as well. If you can remember the formula, don't try to do the math in your head. Just write it down on the paper when the question is asked and go from there. We have a 500' to minimums call out on instrument approaches. Ive had coworkers write down the MDA then add 500 and circle the "answer" as their 500' call out so they aren't trying to remember what the altitude is or trying to do then math in their head on the way down. Perfectly acceptable.

Hell, in one of my interviews I could not, for the life of me, explain what PROB30 meant. It was just a bunch of word vomit coming out of my mouth. Things were getting ugly fast. So I just stopped, whipped out the pen, drew a circle on a piece of paper and said "30 percent of this forecast area (pointing to the circle) will get rain." Then I drew a little half circle and said "there's the 30 percent that will see rain." Done. Moved on to the next question.
 
AAPalmTree said:
I think 5x's GS is easier 480(~500)
500x5=2500
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Doesn't make any difference. X5 is the exact same same as /2 and adding a zero.

If you find 480 X 5 easier than 480/2, go for it! Others will find dividing by two the easier way. Different strokes.

The whole idea is to make cockpit math as minimal and easy as possible, and eliminate it when we can, so we can save our brain cells for more important things. I seem to be mildly dyslexic when it comes to numbers, so, while I understand what is going on, I need to make application as simple as possible for myself.
 
Derg said:
And speed!

But you know what, if you dick with it, you're really going to end up pulling a "Back on the 175" and ALT-starring yourself.

Axe me how I know… :) I fly with a lot of new hires.
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'least it's not "back on the CRJ..."
 
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