Not sure about "quick" mental maths... what sort of time limit are you facing? :confused:

But I generally find that for these sorts of exercises, you often need to spot the "short cuts" to get the figures into nice round numbers... usually, this is due to converting values from "hours" to "minutes" or recognising that 12 minutes = 1/5th of an hour etc... or decimals into whole numbers by removing the decimal point and adding back later on... and a lot of the values given will be evenly divisible by 60 to give you "per minute" values etc... then a bit of pencil/paper multiplication will usually give you the answer. Sometimes I find that breaking the multiplication or division down into smaller parts helps to calculate it mentally... ie. 3960 / 360... => 3600 / 360 = 10... 360 left over... 360 / 360 = 1... 10 + 1 = 11... so 3960 / 360 = 11

A man exchanges 368 pounds for dollars at an exchange rate of 1 pound=1:72 dollars. How many dollars does he get in return? (answer to the nearest dollar)

Is straight multiplication if you remove the decimal point... 368 * 172 = 63292, then put the decimal point back in => 632.92... rounded to nearest dollar = 633


If you travel 1248 miles, how much fuel will you need if you burn 4500 kgs per hour and are travelling at 72O mph?

convert the "per hour" figures into "per minute"... wouldn't you know it, 720 mph is divisible by 60 ;)
720 / 60 = 12 miles a minute....

1248 miles / 12 = 104 minutes... (1200 / 12 = 100... 48 / 12 = 4... 100+4)

What about the fuel burn? huh, look at that 4500 kg/hr is also cleanly divisible by 60 (4200 / 60 = 70, 300 / 60 = 5)
4500 / 60 = 75kg/minute...

Then you're left with basic multiplication:
104 * 75 = 7800 kg

The basic multiplication can also be done in chunks... 100 * 75 = 7500... 75 * 4 = 300... 7500+300 = 7800 etc


A 737 flies 930 miles in 75 minutes. How many miles does it fly in 4 hours 45 minutes assuming as constant speed?

What I'm seeing here is "15 minute" chunks... 75 = 5x 15 minute chunks... 4 hrs 45 = 19x 15 minute chunks...

930 / 5 = 186 (pro tip: dividing by 5 is the same as dividing by 10 and then doubling the answer)... 930 / 10 = 93... *2 = 186 ;)

You're then left with "easy" multiplication of 186 * 19 = 3534...

You could also do 186 * 20 = 3720... then subtract the 186 to give 3534.


If an aircraft departed an airfield and headed directly south for 16 miles and then turned onto a heading of 27O degrees for 12 minutes at an average speed of 80 miles per hour, how many miles is it (in a straight line) from its original destination?

Ok... so 12 minutes = 1/5th of an hour... 80 / 5 = 16 miles...

south then west is a right angle triangle with two sides of 16 miles and 16 miles... I'm not sure this is solvable with mental math... but I know with a 45-45-90 triangle like this... the hypotenuse is x* sqrt(2)... :} maybe the a-squared + b-squared = c-squared? Honestly, I'd probably just guess knowing that sqrt(2) is around 1.4... 16 * 1.4 ~= 22.5 miles.


How many nautical miles can an aircraft travel if it is carrying 288O kgs of fuel and burns 240 kgs an hour averaging a speed of 375 knots?

need to get total endurance... fuel onboard / fuel burn... 2880 / 240... well 2400 / 240 = 10... leaving 480... 480/240 = 2... so 2880 / 240 = 12...

so we have 12 hours of fuel on board... again we're doing "simple" multiplication in a speed/time/distance calc... 375 kts * 12 hrs = 4500 nm

Again, you can always do 375 * 10 = 3750... 375 * 2 = 750... 3750 + 750 = 4500...


You'll find that as you practice, practice, practice... you'll start to notice the "short cuts" ;) :ok:

What companies are you applying to where you need this?

It is just practise for sure, but I don't see many companies who uses such tests that much.

Hey 2unlimited, RHSandLovingIt and youngretired Thank you all for taking the time to answer, especially RHS. Apologies for not getting back to you earlier but I've been rather busy. So here's what happened. I asked them which psychometric test they used, the nice lady told me which one but not to worry as it's only personality test, all very relaxed. Various questions, 'I like to work alone'/ I prefer to work in a team...etc
Long story short it, got through that, the interview went well and they only went and offered me the job! So I've been flat out doing TR theory for the last couple of weeks! Can't stop smiling. Who'd have thought it. Thanks again. All the best TT23.

Glad I'm not the only "old fella" getting a hand on that brass ring ;)

Congrats mate... :ok::D blue skies and tailwinds!

Many congratulations topgunT23 !!!!! You showed to all of us the force of will. Great job pal ^^

I am in the middle of ATPL theory to convert my FAA CPL to EASA at the age of 40.
Could you tell us which operator did you make it with ?

Again Congrats !!

Honestly with all the self funded self sponsored BS I'm not sure why age would even be a factor, especially considering someone older with a family has more "reason" to be responsible.

UK, changing careers to become a pilot.
 

Hey guys,

I'm interested in hearing some thoughts on my situation. I have always wanted to become a pilot but due to financial reasons I never managed to, I managed to get a good degree and a good job in tech. I'm 29 now and live in the UK with some responsibilities (house+married), unfortunately, I didn't manage to save enough to cover my training costs and will be looking for a loan to cover the cost of obtaining the majority of hours.

I'm interested in hearing about the best path to becoming a commercial pilot (Airliners) in the UK, if it's too late for someone in his late 20's and more information on the cost and financials to get a position in an airline.

Thank you!

I understand that Skyborne at Gloucester has a finance programme. Worth taking a look at their website.

29 is definitely NOT too old, not with the current hiring boom, but it can't last forever so best to get a move on.

Hello everyone...

I might fit in well into this long-running thread, as I am 34 now, but want to become a pilot. I'm based in Germany/EU, so my questions are aimed at people who can judge what's going on in this part of the world...

Up until this month I was the manager and owner of a mid-sized company, which had no connection to aviation at all. Also I don't own a PPL so far. Now I have sold my company and will be able to do whatever I want, at least financially.

1) I guess I am too old for signing up for a cadet program from one of the airlines (like LH groups MPL program), or do you think there are chances of me still being accepted at this age?

2) But even if I am too old for the cadet programs with the airlines, I should be able to make the ATPL privately, and pay for it myself, too. Is there anything which could prevent me from doing so?

3) Are there any flight schools you could suggest me looking at in Germany, or over all the EU? (At least as English and German are sufficient as languages.)

4) If I should be succesful accquiring the ATPL, how will my future look like? I think there are many airlines right now taking you without a typerating? But also many who offer you a job where you have to pay for the type-rating right? Do these airlines take you with a privately funded ATPL and not much experience (except for the one from making the ATPL)?

Many questions, I know, but I hope you can answer some for me. I find that there are a lot of informations available for young people just out of school and how they can apply to the cadet-programs, but not much for older people like me, 15 years after school ended. I have already looked into the tests for physcis, maths and English and while they are challenging, they should be doable for me. I also finished a check with a flight doctor, who told me I would easily pass the class 1 medical. So for me I'm now interested in the practical stuff, where to start and what to avoid...

Thanks in advance for your answers,
ChangeNow

Hey! I'm also 29 and currently saving up money for flight school. Been asking myself the same questions (not married though so I dont have that "responsibility"). How far have you come? I'm Swedish but looking into getting my license in Canada and work there.
Good luck!!!:)

ATPL Study / Tips / Structure / Do's & Don't's
 

Hi All,

It's my first post on here so apologies if this topic has been covered before. I'll be extremely grateful for any feedback received!

So, I'm starting my ATPL distance learning in a month's time and I'm wondering what tips both past or present students found helped them. Annoyingly, my recent research has found so many conflicting responses from others to a point that I'm very confused as to what the best method is. Now I know everyone is different in terms of what way they retain information, but one of the biggest decisions I have to make is whether or not I focus on the questions banks more so than the books. In my opinion, time is against me so I do not want to start on the wrong foot, nor waste valuable time. I'm at the moment I'm 32, 33 in December, a current PPL holder with NR, 60hrs in the book, the plan is to complete the ATPL's by this time next year or the latest May 2020 just before I travel to Poland in June 2020 for my MEP/MEIR/CPL.

I'm completely aware that the ATPL's are on another level from what I've been through, I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone that has a single positive thing to say about the syllabus, structure or volume, in my head I'm mentality prepared for meltdown and prepped to have no life for the duration of the time I'm studying, so I really want to make sure I start out doing it right...it's there is such a thing! If possible, can any of you give me advice on what you found helped you during your study or even better, changes you made that worked better from when you sat your first exams, I'd love to hear your study structure, do's & don't's, tips, changes you made?

Thanks a million!!

Hi, everyone!

I'm 47 years old and a long time dreamer of aviation. Unfortunately financial costs have kept me away from a career in this business all my life. I'm now at a point in life where I think I either do something about flying now or just forget about it for ever.

Financial costs are still a problem for me. However, I should be able to pay for a PPL right now. My question is if it is realistic to think that at this age I might still get some form of pay in aviation in the future. I know a PPL doesn't allow getting paid for flying. I'm asking about any possible qualifications after the PPL and realistic possibilities of getting jobs after any further investment after the PPL. I would be happy teaching, flying banners, towing or any other jobs as long as it meant flying :-) I don't have the ambition of working in an airline anymore.

I live in the EU so I'm looking for opinions of people who know the european reality. I've already researched extensively all possible further certifications and costs and that's why I'm asking about market job reality for someone starting at this age.

Thank you all for taking your time with my query.

Job market reality for old wannabe
 

Hi, everyone!

I'm 47 years old and a long time dreamer of aviation. Unfortunately financial costs have kept me away from a career in this business all my life. I'm now at a point in life where I think I either do something about flying now or just forget about it for ever.

Financial costs are still a problem for me. However, I should be able to pay for a PPL right now. My question is if it is realistic to think that at this age I might still get some form of pay in aviation in the future. I know a PPL doesn't allow getting paid for flying. I'm asking about any possible qualifications after the PPL and realistic possibilities of getting jobs after any further investment after the PPL. I would be happy teaching, flying banners, towing or any other jobs as long as it meant flying :-) I don't have the ambition of working in an airline anymore.

I live in the EU so I'm looking for opinions of people who know the european reality. I've already researched extensively all possible further certifications and costs and that's why I'm asking about job market reality for someone starting at this age.

Thank you all for taking your time with my query.

Hi,

Similar profile here, i'm 30, finishing my PPL in France and expect to go in Poland or maybe another contry next year for CPL IR ME if I finish ATPL in time. I'm not of much help for you since I haven't started ATPL, but from what I've understood, if you want to be efficient, you should read the material to understand but not waste too much time on it and hit the question bank as quickly as you can since you'll normally have the same questions at the exam. Also hitting the question bank can show you where you need to study a bit more. Just my 2cts, as I have not started yet ATPL Theory but I'll soon.
One question, if you are going to Poland, is it Bartolini ?
Do you know if they are booked for 2020 or if there is still a slot avaliable before 2021 (I need to finish my PPL before I can reserve a slot, but I fear it's already too late for 2020) ?

If you already have your PPL, start ATPL ground school as soon as you can because you have to spend certain period on distance education system (hours) plus certain ground school time (5 months for Hungarian GSs for example).
Also, there are more than 50 ATOs in Poland.
Bartolini is -almost- most famous of them. There are many cheaper schools out there. Make list, plan a trip and visit couple of them. ATOs in Poland are evolving -fastly- different states right now as I've seen some. You may find yourself in a very good ATO but also has very bad reputation online and vice versa.

Hello there!
 

Really Happy to read these, I'm 27 right now and I'm working in my budget to go away and start flying, well my situation it's different I'm at the Cayman Islands but I'm from Honduras and sad to say where I'm right now it's no flying schools around and to go away from the Island I need to have my budget ready, sad to say but I have to work around three years to get there, saying these I have two options I have my mom in Spain Madrid and I will like to know which school you advise to asist and get all the licenses I did already my search and it's kind expensive well like everwhever, and my second option it's Canada I found these school name Langley school and I'm interested in these I love Canada , but In Spain I have my Family so what do you advise from your experience!! I will be happy to hear from you!

​​​​​Kind regards! Safe landings 🛬

Hello there!
 

These it's amazing, 2019 and I'm just get here and read from everyone, and hey I'm 27 and I'm working hard to get there I will like to hear if you get there already!!
Kind Regards safe landings! 🛬

Nowadays people normally start their training even on their 40s and they get a job...i would not be too much worried.

It does get a lot harder when you reach late 30's and 40's but it's not impossible, I wouldn't go all in on aviation at that age if you don't have a sound backup plan if you don't get a job

Hi, am living in Dubai too and looking to do my ATPL. currently doing my PPL. Happy to chat through how am looking to do it. Cheers Alex