Maths and Physics knowledge req'd for ATPL and airline flying?
I wonder how many more variations are out there?
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ATPL & maths advice...
Recently secured my class One medical and starting to choose my ATPL course. As it’s been 10years since full time education, how helpful / essential has a maths brush up course been before starting. I know it’s an individual thing – but any advice appreciated.
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I found a basic understanding of maths is all that is really required. The ability to transpose equations effectively and quickly is a definate must though. (V=I x R and derivations there of etc)
If you are not long out of school, or did a science/engineering based subject at college/uni it wont be much of a problem for you. If you are an old grunter like me, it might be worth trying to find a local maths teacher who is willing to do a bit of one to one for revising O Grade/ O Level / GCSE(?) maths. You shouldn't need much to get back into the swing of things.
If you are not long out of school, or did a science/engineering based subject at college/uni it wont be much of a problem for you. If you are an old grunter like me, it might be worth trying to find a local maths teacher who is willing to do a bit of one to one for revising O Grade/ O Level / GCSE(?) maths. You shouldn't need much to get back into the swing of things.
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I have just started on the ATPLs and I agree with your first reply, you appear to only need a basic understanding.
Although it is taken a few re-takes to understand it fully it is sinking in, I have not gone through all of what I need to know yet (not by a long way) but what I have I can grasp, & I aint very clever!!
You should be ok? If not you can still do a brush up later?
Although it is taken a few re-takes to understand it fully it is sinking in, I have not gone through all of what I need to know yet (not by a long way) but what I have I can grasp, & I aint very clever!!
You should be ok? If not you can still do a brush up later?
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When you walk into the classroom on day one sit next to the youngest person there , the chances are that Daddy paid for a very good education before fronting up for the ATPL.
Then copy for the next three weeks untill you get the hang of it.
Then copy for the next three weeks untill you get the hang of it.
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For most people who have been out of education for a while, a few days of maths revision prior to starting ATPL study is extremely useful. Most schools provide a maths test prior to signing-up for training. This should help to identify any problems.
Some schools also provide a short maths revision course at no extra cost as a lead-in to the first module of study. If your school offers it, you should take full advantage of it. If you are considering going to a school that does not offer it, then you should ask them why not. It costs them next to nothing and is invaluable to instructors and students alike.
Some schools also provide a short maths revision course at no extra cost as a lead-in to the first module of study. If your school offers it, you should take full advantage of it. If you are considering going to a school that does not offer it, then you should ask them why not. It costs them next to nothing and is invaluable to instructors and students alike.
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I think even just getting a GCSE revision book is sufficient. It really does not take long to get familiar with all those terms and concepts.
If anything, I wondered why I found maths so hard when I was at school. It all seems so much easier in comparision to the stuff I have to do at work!
If anything, I wondered why I found maths so hard when I was at school. It all seems so much easier in comparision to the stuff I have to do at work!
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Help with Maths & Physics for CPL
Im currently doing my PPL slowly but surely... my biggest worry is not being able for the maths involved, Im trying to find any helpbook \ guide out there that helps with the Maths & Physics needed for the next stage after PPL level.
Only one I found so far is on Pooleys Website
If any of you have used it how did you find it and do you know of any thing else like it out there similar or better
Only one I found so far is on Pooleys Website
If any of you have used it how did you find it and do you know of any thing else like it out there similar or better
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Not a book as such but Bristol groundschool offer a weeks pre-ATPL maths course, though I don't know anyone who's done it. www bristol.gs
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Eire Boy,
Don't worry about doing maths and physics prep for the CPL. I had one friend on my course in particular who had been out of education for 20 years and found it a breeze. He apparently never even opened a maths or science book in his earlier years.
If you get enrolled onto the right course they'll give you all the help you need - just make sure you become fluent on a calculator!
Don't worry about doing maths and physics prep for the CPL. I had one friend on my course in particular who had been out of education for 20 years and found it a breeze. He apparently never even opened a maths or science book in his earlier years.
If you get enrolled onto the right course they'll give you all the help you need - just make sure you become fluent on a calculator!
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
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Never had any major problems with the maths or physics involved at ATPL level or CPL level for that matter and I have a very limited background in these areas. I understand this is cause for concern at the moment for you because I was exactly the same but trust me when I say that with the right school (BGS worked for me) you shouldn't struggle much at all.
Brush over some basic trigonometry, algebra and learn what the sin, cos and tan buttons on your calculator are for and you shouldn't have too much to worry about. For physics just get hold of an old GCSE medium level book if you're really worried but my opinion is that you'll be fine.
Hope this puts your mind at ease.
VFE.
Brush over some basic trigonometry, algebra and learn what the sin, cos and tan buttons on your calculator are for and you shouldn't have too much to worry about. For physics just get hold of an old GCSE medium level book if you're really worried but my opinion is that you'll be fine.
Hope this puts your mind at ease.
VFE.
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I'd agree with what the others have said. Don't worry too much about it. There is a fair bit of maths/physics involved but nothing too troubling. Get hold of a GCSE maths book and have a flip through that if you like. Discard all the stats, quadratics etc. Be happy with basic trig, might also help to get an appreciation of relationships in equations.... ie, if one value goes down another goes up. Most of the maths involved is 'comon sense' maths..... basic arithmatic really. Everything will become clear as you work through the course.
I didn't go past GSCE Maths and find ATPL no real challenge as far as maths/physics is concerned. (ps, I went with BGS)
I didn't go past GSCE Maths and find ATPL no real challenge as far as maths/physics is concerned. (ps, I went with BGS)
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What areas of A level physics/maths do I need to know for ATPL?
Hi all,
I'm getting ready for my ATPL groundschool, and I'm wondering what areas of Physics and Maths do I need to study?
If any of you know, please give us a bell.
Cheers
I'm getting ready for my ATPL groundschool, and I'm wondering what areas of Physics and Maths do I need to study?
If any of you know, please give us a bell.
Cheers
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just
basic algebra. Being able to juggle math in your head is great plus for your General nav exam and others. Basic trig knowledge is also a plus.
Physics, what goes up must come down. Newtons law but then it's taught in my ATPL ground school. Bernioulli's law as well.
Basic magnetism is also taught there.
If you wish to get a good start then I suggest getting a good book on weather, one that explains everything in colours and graphs.
Mass and balance, performance, pof and Gnav are probably the most math extensive.
The suggestion my ATPL teacher gave me before we started ATPL ground school, START JUGGLING MATH in your head. I regret not having done so.
When I say juggle math in your head it doesn't mean you should be able to get the square root of 10203050. It means you should be able to add up numbers like 37, 48, 56 together quickly as well as subracting them from each other quickly.
A good pilot dictionary to explain some the POF jargon.
Physics, what goes up must come down. Newtons law but then it's taught in my ATPL ground school. Bernioulli's law as well.
Basic magnetism is also taught there.
If you wish to get a good start then I suggest getting a good book on weather, one that explains everything in colours and graphs.
Mass and balance, performance, pof and Gnav are probably the most math extensive.
The suggestion my ATPL teacher gave me before we started ATPL ground school, START JUGGLING MATH in your head. I regret not having done so.
When I say juggle math in your head it doesn't mean you should be able to get the square root of 10203050. It means you should be able to add up numbers like 37, 48, 56 together quickly as well as subracting them from each other quickly.
A good pilot dictionary to explain some the POF jargon.
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I went on a brush-up maths course before I started my ATPLs. We did:
Basic algebra: learning how to transpose equations.
Basic Trig: Pythagoras, and Cos/Sine/Tan for calculations, circles
All all cases I practised using the equations from the ATPLs.
I didn't do any Physics brush up, but I did purchase a basic GCSE book for Physics which comes in handy here and there for some extra reading when I want a different perspective on something.
Basic algebra: learning how to transpose equations.
Basic Trig: Pythagoras, and Cos/Sine/Tan for calculations, circles
All all cases I practised using the equations from the ATPLs.
I didn't do any Physics brush up, but I did purchase a basic GCSE book for Physics which comes in handy here and there for some extra reading when I want a different perspective on something.
Why do it if it's not fun?
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I don't think it's really essential to have any formal training in either maths or physics. However, it will make a difference - it's the difference between learning the formulae by heart and plugging them into your calculator, and actually understanding why the formulae work. Personally, I'm pleased that I understood the basics well enough that I could use them to help me understand why the formulae work. If you're sitting in an exam and you can't recall whether that formula you need for question 21 had a Sin or a Cos in it, having the ability to work it out (or just check your memory) is a nice confidence-booster.
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Though formal qualifications aren't a must I can assure you from an instructors point its quite obvious which students have brushed up on maths & physics.
All above replies valid, regarding physics it would be useful to know the gas laws (Charles & Boyle) also some basic DC & AC electrics (Faraday and EMF).
All these should be covered during a course, but any advanced reading is always a bonus and gives you more breathing space.
The most important thing in the maths is being able to work out a gross error check BEFORE you hit the calculator. Some students are too keen just to press buttons and come up with an answer and the calculator can't be wrong!
When you move on to the flying you won't have time to play with calculators so mental sums and gross error checks are going to be vital.
All above replies valid, regarding physics it would be useful to know the gas laws (Charles & Boyle) also some basic DC & AC electrics (Faraday and EMF).
All these should be covered during a course, but any advanced reading is always a bonus and gives you more breathing space.
The most important thing in the maths is being able to work out a gross error check BEFORE you hit the calculator. Some students are too keen just to press buttons and come up with an answer and the calculator can't be wrong!
When you move on to the flying you won't have time to play with calculators so mental sums and gross error checks are going to be vital.
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Richard H beat me to it.
Definitely brush up on your electrics. If like me it is a subject that bores you rigid and baffled you at school, then I'm afraid there is plenty of it in the a/c systems syllabus.
The rest of the maths and physics is all very basic stuff. All this talk of algebra and transposing equations is little more difficult in reality than rearranging the figures in simple formulae (like speed/distance/time calculations) depending on which one you need to know. Any trigonometry is equally simple (basic right-angled triangle stuff), as is the understanding required of gas laws and Newtons laws. All the mathematical calculations you are likely to use are all pretty basic and nothing particularly complex.
A quick brush up over a week or so with a GCSE revision guide is more than enough to get you into the frame of mind for the studying. Forget that A-level sh1t.
Definitely brush up on your electrics. If like me it is a subject that bores you rigid and baffled you at school, then I'm afraid there is plenty of it in the a/c systems syllabus.
The rest of the maths and physics is all very basic stuff. All this talk of algebra and transposing equations is little more difficult in reality than rearranging the figures in simple formulae (like speed/distance/time calculations) depending on which one you need to know. Any trigonometry is equally simple (basic right-angled triangle stuff), as is the understanding required of gas laws and Newtons laws. All the mathematical calculations you are likely to use are all pretty basic and nothing particularly complex.
A quick brush up over a week or so with a GCSE revision guide is more than enough to get you into the frame of mind for the studying. Forget that A-level sh1t.
