If becoming a pilot is your dream, it can be easy to get intimidated by the math they use. Especially if math isn’t your strong point! However, it’s not the end of the world.
Today we’re going to take a look at what kind of math pilots use to help you learn a little more about what to expect as a prospective student pilot.
What kind of math do pilots use?
Pilots use lots of different aspects of math in order to fly their planes. The types of math that pilots use on a daily basis are basic arithmetic, geometry, interpolation, mental math, and trigonometry.
All of these different types of math come together in various ways to help a pilot calculate aspects of flying to get the plane off the ground, fly through certain weather conditions, and land properly.
Knowing that math is a crucial aspect of flying can be overwhelming if becoming a pilot is what you want to do, and you’re not that confident with your math skills. However, most pilot math is used with certain formulas to help make it easier for the pilots. They will have to be good at mental math to do calculations quickly and efficiently.
Pilots need basic arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. So you will need to practice these to get your skills up to the standard you’ll need to become a pilot. Geometry centers around the spatial relationships between objects, shapes, and sizes. This makes it a vital aspect of pilot math.
Interpolation is the term mathematicians use to describe making an educated estimate based on relevant data. This skill makes use of other aspects of math, such as algebra and basic arithmetic.
Trigonometry is all about triangles, and can help pilots make calculations about crosswind components and wind correction. As long as you know how to do the calculations, you don’t need to be an expert in trigonometry.
Combining all of these mathematical elements can sound overwhelming. However, as long as you practice them and work on building your math skills, there’s nothing to stop you from becoming a pilot.
Can I be a pilot if I’m bad at math?
You might hear words like trigonometry, geometry, and algebra and start to shudder. However, not all hope is lost. You don’t need to be a maths genius in order to become a pilot.
You will need a basic level of math to help you work out the calculations, but this is a skill that you can learn through practice and repetition.
Mostly you will need to know how to work out these calculations using the data you’re given, as well as be good at basic arithmetic. It entirely depends on your definition of ‘bad at math’!
If you do struggle with basic arithmetic, we’d recommend practicing a little bit every day until it becomes second nature to you.
Does being a pilot require math?
Being a pilot does require math, yes. You will need to be able to do basic calculations to figure out things such as how much fuel you need to reach your destination, how much runway there is to land on, and how to compensate for takeoff weight, how to navigate your way to different places, and many other situations. You will need to be able to know how to do calculations quickly to solve issues as they arise.
Remember that pilots will need to use this math on a daily basis. Computers do of course help with some calculations, however, you will still need to have the basic knowledge covered in order to get the plane off the ground, as well as keep the plane on the right course.
How much math do pilots use?
Pilots have to use a lot of math day to day. They need to do weight calculations in order to get the plane off the ground. This will be working out how much the plane weighs when it’s empty, and how much weight can be added in terms of passengers and luggage to still allow the plan to take off.
Pilots will also need to do calculations on how much fuel is needed to travel a certain distance. This will account for the distance the plane needs to cover, as well as how much weight is on board the plane.
The more weight on the plane, the more fuel that will be needed to reach its destination. The amount of fuel needed could also be impacted by any additional flight time that’s needed if the plane needs to reach an alternate destination instead.
Math is also needed to figure out things like crosswind component calculations and descent rate calculations. Crosswind can alter the aerodynamics of the plane and make takeoffs and landings a little trickier. Descent calculations are of course important, as you will want to land the plane safely.
Is pilot math hard?
This will entirely depend on how competent you are at the different aspects of maths that pilots need. While at a glance they may seem incredibly complicated, when you break the calculations down they’re actually pretty straightforward.
In most cases, there are formulas to follow which can help you work everything out. When you understand the concepts behind all of these different calculations, it makes them easier to work through.
As long as you have the know how to select the right formulas to solve the problem, you should be more than fit to become a pilot. Nowadays there is even modern software and devices which can help you run some of the more complicated equations.
In summary
So there you have it! While you don’t need to be the next Einstein in order to become a pilot, you will need some basic knowledge of math in order to achieve your dream.
As long as you have basic arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, and mental math covered, you should be able to work towards your aviation qualifications.
If you struggle with some aspects of maths, working hard at it could help you improve your skills to learn how to fly.
