Maths and Physics knowledge req'd for ATPL and airline flying?
Guest
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My dear old thing - if it helps I am just
coming towards 25 years since my first flying
lesson which was followed by a long time in
the military and now a career in the airlines. I only managed a bare pass in what
was then 'O' level maths and failed physics.
To be fair I did go on through A levels and
further education but in a direction very
firmly away from the usual requirements
quoted for a career in the cockpit/flightdeck.
I have flown with very many pilots who have
had a non-scientific educational background
and I believe that it is of no detriment as
long as you have a basic ability to learn.
It is a fact of life however that both the
airlines and the military are looking for
potential when they are handing out chances
to fly at their expense. The measure of such
potential which requires maths/physics et al
is simplistic but it does make their selection procedures easier for them to deal
with when faced with a mountain of applications.
The flip side of the equation is of course
that maths/science to the highest level does
not indicate an ability to fly an aircraft
though it may show a greater understanding
of what makes it work !
So at the end of the day you must remember
that if you are looking for a career you
will have to fit in with their rules and
requirements - get that squared away and you
should soon find that the perceived level
of academic ability to do the job is not as
high as you thought - unless of course you
want to be a test pilot but that is another
story altogether.
good luck
coming towards 25 years since my first flying
lesson which was followed by a long time in
the military and now a career in the airlines. I only managed a bare pass in what
was then 'O' level maths and failed physics.
To be fair I did go on through A levels and
further education but in a direction very
firmly away from the usual requirements
quoted for a career in the cockpit/flightdeck.
I have flown with very many pilots who have
had a non-scientific educational background
and I believe that it is of no detriment as
long as you have a basic ability to learn.
It is a fact of life however that both the
airlines and the military are looking for
potential when they are handing out chances
to fly at their expense. The measure of such
potential which requires maths/physics et al
is simplistic but it does make their selection procedures easier for them to deal
with when faced with a mountain of applications.
The flip side of the equation is of course
that maths/science to the highest level does
not indicate an ability to fly an aircraft
though it may show a greater understanding
of what makes it work !
So at the end of the day you must remember
that if you are looking for a career you
will have to fit in with their rules and
requirements - get that squared away and you
should soon find that the perceived level
of academic ability to do the job is not as
high as you thought - unless of course you
want to be a test pilot but that is another
story altogether.
good luck
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks Oldie Volvo.
I think that ,although it is not required and ,like your own example, you can make it without, I should just make the effort and do it because it is not that I am incapable, just that I find it incredibly hard. I may just do it up to AS level but with the amount of competition on the sponsered schemes I must stand out.
Once agaion thank you very much for your reply, La Fantasque.
I think that ,although it is not required and ,like your own example, you can make it without, I should just make the effort and do it because it is not that I am incapable, just that I find it incredibly hard. I may just do it up to AS level but with the amount of competition on the sponsered schemes I must stand out.
Once agaion thank you very much for your reply, La Fantasque.
Guest
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Simply put,
Do the subjects you LIKE. They will prove more interesting and you will then without knowing it put in more effort.
I did AS Maths with the intention of working really hard at it, make no mistake about it, it is THE hardest subject going in my opinion, and it will soon seem like a wall of numbers if you don't enjoy it!
Good luck,
Rusty
Do the subjects you LIKE. They will prove more interesting and you will then without knowing it put in more effort.
I did AS Maths with the intention of working really hard at it, make no mistake about it, it is THE hardest subject going in my opinion, and it will soon seem like a wall of numbers if you don't enjoy it!
Good luck,
Rusty
Guest
Posts: n/a
Don't be intimidated by mathematics as a subject. It's really only a language that enables you to understand the fundamental aspects of the real world. Unfortunately it is often presented by rather uninspiring people!
Like Oldie Volvo I've got a less than perfect academic career but have served out some time in the RAF and now fly for an airline. The RAF gave me a lot of confidence with maths because the training that I received related to problems faced in the real world and you could see first hand why such knowledge is so valuable.
That said, at your stage in the game I found maths to be rather intimidating and certainly dull. Do remember that there is always a hard way and an easy way of doing things. If you can produce the goods at
A Level you stand more chance of convincing an airline to pay for your training: more importantly you will have a job at the end of it.
A real tip for passing exams is to get hold of the syllabus and work through each point on the list crossing them off as you go. If you know your stuff on each point you will not get any nasty surprises in the exam (if it aint on the list they can't ask you!).
Good luck - never mistake effort for progress.
Like Oldie Volvo I've got a less than perfect academic career but have served out some time in the RAF and now fly for an airline. The RAF gave me a lot of confidence with maths because the training that I received related to problems faced in the real world and you could see first hand why such knowledge is so valuable.
That said, at your stage in the game I found maths to be rather intimidating and certainly dull. Do remember that there is always a hard way and an easy way of doing things. If you can produce the goods at
A Level you stand more chance of convincing an airline to pay for your training: more importantly you will have a job at the end of it.
A real tip for passing exams is to get hold of the syllabus and work through each point on the list crossing them off as you go. If you know your stuff on each point you will not get any nasty surprises in the exam (if it aint on the list they can't ask you!).
Good luck - never mistake effort for progress.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cheers High Volt. I feel pretty similar to the way you did. Am I making things alot harder for myself by not doing it? I'm hoping to get a place in university and I don't expect to even apply for the airlines until I've finished (Although I would rather just get into flying as soon as possible!). Hopefully university will make me stand out more in a crowd.
La Fantasque.
La Fantasque.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have posted somehting along these lines in another post.
But anyway, an airline would prefer someone that has an A in, say Geography, rather than a B/C in Maths. I am about to do GCSEs and I chose Physics/Biology/Geography and Business Studies for AS/A2.
But choose subjects that you enjoy as they are mosy likely to be te ones that you will do well in.
But anyway, an airline would prefer someone that has an A in, say Geography, rather than a B/C in Maths. I am about to do GCSEs and I chose Physics/Biology/Geography and Business Studies for AS/A2.
But choose subjects that you enjoy as they are mosy likely to be te ones that you will do well in.
Guest
Posts: n/a
As one with A-Level Maths and Physics, plus a degree in Aero Eng, yet still getting rejected by BA after FB, I'd have to come to the following conclusion:
Airlines want people who do not quit. Ever. If you think you'll give A-Level maths a go, then come out with a poor grade, that may count against you more than not having done it at all.
The fact is (and I may well be corrected here), most people who apply to be pilots are those that have done Maths, Physics, etc. at school. Many have a degree, and Aero Eng is a common one. If you turn up with Art, Geography and Music and a degree in Geology, you may just stand out from the rest, despite what the airlines might say in their literature. They want a broad cross-section of people, and are under increasing pressure to find such people.
Bear in mind you may/will need to pass aptitude tests. These will include maths tests, but believe me, they are nothing like A-level. More like GCSE on speed (and don't start doing that sh*t either...)
From what I gather though, what airlines want is a 100% total commitment to aviation. Go with your heart, do what you're best at. Get the best grades you can, apply to airlines and UCAS. Do a degree in whatever you enjoy most. Get the best results you can.
But if you want that airline job, keep that in the back of your mind, whatever you decide. When your friends are working in Tesco, work at an airfield. When they spend their uni grant on beer, get an hour or two of flying in (all airlines accept that school kids and students can't afford many hours, but if you have just a few hours over a three year period, it's infinitely better than nothing at all). When your friends do D of E at school, join the ATC. When they join the wine tasting society at uni, join the Air Squadron.
These are the things that count most.
So you do all these things and decide that maybe flying isn't for you. Then you can see how the airline recruiters might think about those that have never tried.
So you do all these things and decide that flying is for you?
Then you WILL make it. One day. Somehow.
There's a wealth of people on this forum that wish they'd started earlier. You're in a most fortunate position. Make it count. And the most sincere best of luck to you.
WGW
Airlines want people who do not quit. Ever. If you think you'll give A-Level maths a go, then come out with a poor grade, that may count against you more than not having done it at all.
The fact is (and I may well be corrected here), most people who apply to be pilots are those that have done Maths, Physics, etc. at school. Many have a degree, and Aero Eng is a common one. If you turn up with Art, Geography and Music and a degree in Geology, you may just stand out from the rest, despite what the airlines might say in their literature. They want a broad cross-section of people, and are under increasing pressure to find such people.
Bear in mind you may/will need to pass aptitude tests. These will include maths tests, but believe me, they are nothing like A-level. More like GCSE on speed (and don't start doing that sh*t either...)
From what I gather though, what airlines want is a 100% total commitment to aviation. Go with your heart, do what you're best at. Get the best grades you can, apply to airlines and UCAS. Do a degree in whatever you enjoy most. Get the best results you can.
But if you want that airline job, keep that in the back of your mind, whatever you decide. When your friends are working in Tesco, work at an airfield. When they spend their uni grant on beer, get an hour or two of flying in (all airlines accept that school kids and students can't afford many hours, but if you have just a few hours over a three year period, it's infinitely better than nothing at all). When your friends do D of E at school, join the ATC. When they join the wine tasting society at uni, join the Air Squadron.
These are the things that count most.
So you do all these things and decide that maybe flying isn't for you. Then you can see how the airline recruiters might think about those that have never tried.
So you do all these things and decide that flying is for you?
Then you WILL make it. One day. Somehow.
There's a wealth of people on this forum that wish they'd started earlier. You're in a most fortunate position. Make it count. And the most sincere best of luck to you.
WGW
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Excel program for maths aptitude ?!?!
I can remember links to an Excel download that allowed a mental arithmetic practice sesh. However I don't seem to be able to find it 
The search facility seems to be unavailable (unless it's my crappy machine). Sorry chaps, I know it's probably cropped up a million times before.... Any help will be gratefully received....
NB.
The search facility seems to be unavailable (unless it's my crappy machine). Sorry chaps, I know it's probably cropped up a million times before.... Any help will be gratefully received.... NB.
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pssst NB: over here! www.superpilot.co.uk - follow the link to downloads.
Not Excel but does the same job.
(and before anybody nags me about the copyright photos - I have permission)
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Superpilot ]
Not Excel but does the same job.
(and before anybody nags me about the copyright photos - I have permission)
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Superpilot ]
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For those get hold of “How to Pass Numeracy Tests” by Harry Tolley and Ken Thomas. ISBN 0-7494-3437-6
Questions are always of the form:
How many miles will a lorry have travelled if it maintained an average speed of 35 mph for 6.5 hours?
A) 220
B) 222.5
C) 225
D) 227.5
E) 230
A piece of wood is 120.4 cm long. A saw cuts it into 3 equal sections and wastes 0.2cm with each cut. How long are the sections?
(A, B, C, D or E)
21 litres of paint covers 7/8 of room, how much to finish the job?
(A, B, C, D or E)
15 sec for task, how many times in an hour?
(A, B, C, D or E)
Get someone to write similar questions for you, a brother or sister perhaps. All they have to do is vary the topics, names and figures. It’s the best form of practice.
Questions are always of the form:
How many miles will a lorry have travelled if it maintained an average speed of 35 mph for 6.5 hours?
A) 220
B) 222.5
C) 225
D) 227.5
E) 230
A piece of wood is 120.4 cm long. A saw cuts it into 3 equal sections and wastes 0.2cm with each cut. How long are the sections?
(A, B, C, D or E)
21 litres of paint covers 7/8 of room, how much to finish the job?
(A, B, C, D or E)
15 sec for task, how many times in an hour?
(A, B, C, D or E)
Get someone to write similar questions for you, a brother or sister perhaps. All they have to do is vary the topics, names and figures. It’s the best form of practice.
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Hi Guys
just to take this one stage further, does anyone know of a website or a book to aid in preparation for the spatial tests, where you have to identify which shapes can be made by folding along the dotted lines?
Thanks in advance,
Eggboy
just to take this one stage further, does anyone know of a website or a book to aid in preparation for the spatial tests, where you have to identify which shapes can be made by folding along the dotted lines?
Thanks in advance,
Eggboy
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maths and physics fot the atpl
hi guys/girls
i am thinking about commencing an atpl course and was just wondering what kind of maths and physics one has to be up to speed with before commencing an atpl course
it has been 5 years since school so ive forgotten most of the stuff
would be greatful for any replies
i am thinking about commencing an atpl course and was just wondering what kind of maths and physics one has to be up to speed with before commencing an atpl course
it has been 5 years since school so ive forgotten most of the stuff
would be greatful for any replies
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Hi there Justine.
In responce to your question about the math's and physic's requirement's for the ATPL - to be honest it's not to onourous, a bsic knowledge of electrical system's and formulae's,transposition of formulae's is all that is required.
It is more a case of volume that u are required to learn rather than that require's an intricate and extreamly in-depth knowledge.
If you require any further information - please do not hesitate to contact me - as i have just started my JAA ATPL license exam's.
In responce to your question about the math's and physic's requirement's for the ATPL - to be honest it's not to onourous, a bsic knowledge of electrical system's and formulae's,transposition of formulae's is all that is required.
It is more a case of volume that u are required to learn rather than that require's an intricate and extreamly in-depth knowledge.
If you require any further information - please do not hesitate to contact me - as i have just started my JAA ATPL license exam's.
Master Baiter
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Justine
Whispering Giant is spot on!
I was getting myself into a spin worrying about Trig and maths blah blah blah
I never had either of those two and I found the subjects not too bad at all and any equations that leap up can be bashed up and throttled with feedback before the exams .. common sense is king!
ta ta
Whispering Giant is spot on!
I was getting myself into a spin worrying about Trig and maths blah blah blah
I never had either of those two and I found the subjects not too bad at all and any equations that leap up can be bashed up and throttled with feedback before the exams .. common sense is king!
ta ta