Math. for pilots?
 

Hi wannabes,

I will attend a JAR-ATPL course starting in February this year. It has been a few years since I last studied math, so I would like to cath up on my math skills a bit before the course starts. My question is: What kind of math do pilot students use during the course? I don't really have time to study anything irrelevant....

Best regards Peter <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

You need to be quick and proficient at elementary mental arithmetic - adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing - without a calculator - quickly and accurately.

You need to be able to re-arrange elementary algebra - ie, "make 'x' the subject of the following equation" when it is set out as 'y' = something.

And you need to understand sine, cosine, and tangent.

It really doesn't need to be any deeper than that. No calculus. No hyperbolic functions.

Paul

[ 14 January 2002: Message edited by: Paul Hickley, Gen Nav Spec, Oxford ]</p>

Paul,

I dont suppose you fancy explaining a bit about -

Sine, Cosine and Tan.

And maybe a little bit about making X the subject??

It would be a great help to most people im sure.........Especially me! :)

Any help appreciated
Rob

Cheers Paul,
great answer. Now I'll hit the books - learn some basic trigonometri...
Word Peter

The R.B Underdown book on Gen. Navigation for Commercial Pilots Licence book covers what you need to know in the opening chapter. I should imagine Transair has a copy.

All the best,

VFE. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">