Calculations required when flying

[united786]

Hey

I've always wanted to know the typical calculations you are required to do whilst flying a commercial aircraft. I also want to know how these calculations are carried out.

[mona lot]

Hours on duty multiplied by per diems, thats all you need to know

[411A]

I flew with one First Officer when, as soon as he leveled off at top of climb, begain a laborious process of determining his top of descent point....some five hours hence.
He would twist the bezel of his fancy Breitling watch (you know the type, the one that does everything but tell the time of day)...and when it came to the TOD point, he would start down...and get it wrong nearly every time.

I then suggested that he simply close the taps at 110DME, point the nose down, and adjust his speed accordingly, to arrive at at reasonable point for the instrument approach.
Type, L1011

Worked every time.
With each passing day, younger folks learn the tricks of the trade....it just took this fellow a little longer.

[Bla Bla Bla]

I use a couple of calculations, first calculate at what time you will arrive at your destination in UTC then convert to local time then calculate what time the bars close and then add the time it takes to go through security and get to the hotel. This should give you an accurate time if the winds aloft remain the same that you can get your first proper drink.



Also calculate the base rate you are paid and then work out how many hours of flight pay you will get on top of that, plus any overnight expenses that you may accumulate. You should be able to come up with a very accurate amount of pay you will gain from this latest trip, that is if your airline has not cut your wages since you took off!


If you really want to know get a copy of Mental Math for pilots by Ronald D. McElroy

[eckhard]

3 x table for descents

8 x table for ETEs (747)
7 x table for ETEs (737)
6 x table for ETEs (Citation)
4 x table for ETEs (King Air)
3 x table for ETEs (Navajo)
2 x table for ETEs (Arrow)
1.5 x table for ETEs (C.150)

uplift in litres = pounds / 2 + 10% (Jet A-1)

wind in mps x 2 = wind in kts

Flight Time in minutes x 40 = kgs fuel burn (737)

Diversion fuel (kgs) from G/A = distance x 10 (737)

Diversion fuel (kgs) from altitude = distance x 5 (737)

Bunk time = flight time -1 hour / 3 (3 crew)

Cost of on-board duty free = published price -10%

[parabellum]

I think the only one you may actually need is 3 miles per thousand feet ROD to touch down in nil wind conditions.

But I do like all the other suggestions!

[united786]

well i guess this answers my quesntion!

[ItsAjob]

Jet fuel litres to Kilos X 0.8

[cwatters]

Nobody mentioned basic trigonometry for when your GPS goes down. Back in the 1970 you could do an O-Level in "Air Navigation". I recall the maths wasn't too bad though and we had circular slide rules to help.

[411A]

Basic trig, phooey.
Pressure pattern navigation was the only way.
The Navigatior, navigated...I pointed it (with the occasional takeoff and landing).

[TheGorrilla]

Ratio of malt and fermentables to hops and yeast is a good one to know.

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