As a Captain on a wide body jet, I can say that my lack of O and A levels has not held me back. That said though, it continues to surprise me how many F/Os need a calculator for the most simple of tasks. Quick quiz...
Flt plan fuel to JFK is 60,000kg.
Estimated ZFW IS 240,000kg.
Note at bottom of Plan says 285kg per 1000kg change in ZFW.
Final ZFW comes through from Traffic at 237800kg.
How much are you to change your final fuel to?
If you can work it out in about 10 seconds without a calculator then good, and it doesn't matter what qualifications you have. If you need a calculator which many seem to need then Maths O level is definitely getting easier! Rant from grumpy old timer over!