Out of curiosity, on the job, how much math is actually done? Are you constantly doing math to determine times and distances, angles etc?
What are the actual skills used on the job when it finally comes time to train or be active?
Thanks!
The actual JOB
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore
The actual JOB
Lost Cessna Pilot: "Big airport with a little Cessna 150 overhead, please identify yourself!"
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Re: The actual JOB
Haven't started the job training yet, but from what I heard, the small amount of math needed is basically adding/subtracting (possibly, like a plane at 30,000 ft descending 2000ft/min, how long til it reaches a certain altitude.) I haven't seen much math at all as of yet, and my understanding is that the computer systems do many calculations. I even remember reading something about a sophisticated calculation where it said "the controller does not make these calculations. They are done by a specialist."
Re: The actual JOB
How much math you do probably depends on what type of controller you are (enroute vs terminal vs VFR). Being able to do quick math is useful for things like figuring out spacing when sequencing into an airport, or whether you need to issue a crossing restriction for an aircraft that’s climbing or descending. But everyone has their own style so the amount of math done controller to controller even doing the same job will vary quite a bit.
