How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviation?

Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

You need to know math to count all the money you earn as a pilot
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

You need to know math to count all the money you earn as a pilot

And some experience with word problems to read the contract.

It always surprises me the sheer amount of people at xjt that cannot understand when they get paid, let alone what pay is included on that paycheck...
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

And some experience with word problems to read the contract.

It always surprises me the sheer amount of people at xjt that cannot understand when they get paid, let alone what pay is included on that paycheck...

Like other guys have said, I use mental math for figuring TOD, sometimes Groundspeed based on change in DME and time, etc.

But I've also used it to figure out an excel file to determine how much money is saved, or lost, by tankering fuel. Nothing really hard, but some algebra was involved.

I think that math is important because it teaches you problem solving skills. I was never great in math, usually got Bs and Cs. I took Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig, and Pre-Calc in HS and then College Algebra and Calculus in college. Do I use all of that math every day? No. But I do use problem solving every day.

I had a bunch of classes in HS and college and said "I'll never use these as a pilot." Classes like management, economics, technical report writing, etc. Guess what? I became a Director of Safety and have used those classes in writing manuals and procedures, talking to company executives about the economics of safety, etc. Now I wish I had taken more classes like that and had taken those classes more seriously.
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

I think that math is important because it teaches you problem solving skills. I was never great in math, usually got Bs and Cs. I took Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig, and Pre-Calc in HS and then College Algebra and Calculus in college. Do I use all of that math every day? No. But I do use problem solving every day.
i think this is key here. Can you use advanced math in aviation? Sure you can but you don't need to. if you are the kind of person that likes to figure out all the math and physics behind something, that's great but it doesn't in any way make you a better pilot than someone who doesn't even know what calculus is.

As was pointted out in the above quote...I feel math at a higher level is more of an abstract. You aren't really learning Calc for the practical aspects so much as for learning the critical thinking and problem solving skills.

A lot of higher education is like that. people Always ask why you need to take history and Psychology and philosophy in college for a degree in aviation (or anything). Again even here i don't think it is just for knowing's sake but to devolop that critical and anylitical mind.
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

Like other guys have said, I use mental math for figuring TOD, sometimes Groundspeed based on change in DME and time, etc.

But I've also used it to figure out an excel file to determine how much money is saved, or lost, by tankering fuel. Nothing really hard, but some algebra was involved.

I think that math is important because it teaches you problem solving skills. I was never great in math, usually got Bs and Cs. I took Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig, and Pre-Calc in HS and then College Algebra and Calculus in college. Do I use all of that math every day? No. But I do use problem solving every day.

I had a bunch of classes in HS and college and said "I'll never use these as a pilot." Classes like management, economics, technical report writing, etc. Guess what? I became a Director of Safety and have used those classes in writing manuals and procedures, talking to company executives about the economics of safety, etc. Now I wish I had taken more classes like that and had taken those classes more seriously.

This brings up a good point. The OP asked how much math does he really have to do in aviation. Not just flying the airplane but aviation in general. There are a lot of things where having a strong background in math may come in handy when you are a pilot/manager of an aircraft at a small operation. My suggestion would be to get as well of rounded education as possible.

Here's a question that a buddy of mine threw that he found out he may be asked at an interview he was prepping for.
"You're having and few friends over for dinner. You are making a chicken pasta dish. What type of wine should you serve with this dish?"

Yes. This was a question in an interview for a pilot position.:)
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

This brings up a good point. The OP asked how much math does he really have to do in aviation. Not just flying the airplane but aviation in general. There are a lot of things where having a strong background in math may come in handy when you are a pilot/manager of an aircraft at a small operation. My suggestion would be to get as well of rounded education as possible.

Here's a question that a buddy of mine threw that he found out he may be asked at an interview he was prepping for.
"You're having and few friends over for dinner. You are making a chicken pasta dish. What type of wine should you serve with this dish?"

Yes. This was a question in an interview for a pilot position.:)

A beer.
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

Here's a question that a buddy of mine threw that he found out he may be asked at an interview he was prepping for.
"You're having and few friends over for dinner. You are making a chicken pasta dish. What type of wine should you serve with this dish?"

Yes. This was a question in an interview for a pilot position.:)

jetBlue?
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

In the middle of a interview for a sales position, my dad was asked "What is 19 times 41"?

The idea behind it as he was later told was problem solving skills. The interviewer didn't expect an exact answer, but rather expected my father to mentally do the math of 20 times 40 and say "800".
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

In the middle of a interview for a sales position, my dad was asked "What is 19 times 41"?

The idea behind it as he was later told was problem solving skills. The interviewer didn't expect an exact answer, but rather expected my father to mentally do the math of 20 times 40 and say "800".
This was one of the question asked a lot during PSA interviews. Given a hrly burn rate of 3000 lbs, what would be your 45 minute reserve. Anybody that fumbled over that didn't make it through. I had a buddy that pooched it and was shown the door.
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

It's funny to see the difference in hiring practices of airlines. At mine the hardest technical question I got was "what is your favorite thing about the Bonanza?".
 
Re: How much does mathematics REALLY have to do with aviatio

This was one of the question asked a lot during PSA interviews. Given a hrly burn rate of 3000 lbs, what would be your 45 minute reserve. Anybody that fumbled over that didn't make it through. I had a buddy that pooched it and was shown the door.

This is the type of mental math that I used to work with my students on mostly while instructing. It's also the type math I use on a daily basis. Besides a little algebra mainly used for interpolation basic math is about all you need for daily operations.
 
Back
Top