Originally Posted by
drpixie
Deckchair - Charlie might be a bit abrupt but he has a point - understand the material (mind-numbing as it is) because some of it is important, vital even. This applies doubly to being an instructor - it will be very obvious to your students and your CFI/HOO when you don't understand stuff ... quick route to a short-term job.
An much as I have plenty of complaints about CASA exams (especially where they don't understand tolerances) almost all of the material matters. Even the B727 stuff. Planning for an A320 or a B727 or a Citation is the same as planning for the B727. The actual fuel burns vary, but the method of calculating climb/cruise/descent still applies, and the various reserves definitely apply. Yes, most planning is done by a computer. But you must always understand it in ultimate detail. And Yes, there will always come a day when you must plan it or justify the planning manually. If you can't do that, don't ask me for a job!
Sorry to break this to you but almost nobody on the line understands that stuff anymore