flying helicopters?

Question

I am very interested in learning how to fly helicopters as my career path. I have check out a couple of schools in the area that offers aviation. The cost all together... a little over $50,000. I was told when flying helicopters there is alot of math involve, math is not my strongest subject- its a true weekness of mine. Can so one tell me what type of math is invole when flying a helicopter. Im planning to get a private tutuor, so that i can bush up on my math. I keep saying to my self i can just learn the math but at times i get discourge which keeps me away from my dream.

Answer 1

I wouldnt worry too much about the math to be honest. I just spoke to a gentleman in my office who was an Army pilot, and he said that aside from basic math...there wasnt really much he needed to worry about. (percentages,etc)

he mentioned having to calculate load bearings...(how much you can effectively carry given your current fuel weight..etc) calculating how much fuel you'd need for a certain trip for example.

Given the cost of training, he and I both agree that one of the most affordable ways to learn is to join the military. Flying is definitely about the passion, and not about the salary (like teachers, i'd presume) they dont get paid very well, in part due to the high overhead the private sector company has to deal with.

The Army has a test (sorta like the SAT) called the FAST. If you really want an idea of what would be required, try to get a copy of the AFAST study guide.

Hope that helps...and Good Luck!

Answer 2

If math or grammar or spelling or history or physics or any such stuff mattered I'd never be where I am today. Not sure you necessarily want to be where I am today but you need none of that to fly helicopters. If you can walk, chew gum and comb your hair at the same time you can fly a helicopter. Hell if you can't do that stuff you can still fly a helicopter. You can get all the math you'll need from a six dollar pocket calculator that you can pickup at the checkout stand at the supermarket. I was a rotorhead for nine years in the army. If I can answer any specific questions just send me an IM or email. My profile allows both. And don't listen to anybody here or anyplace else that says something that sounds discouraging. You just make it happen. Good luck.

Oh and by the way. Helicopters don't actually fly. They beat the air into submission. hahahahahaha

Now I'm going to hit this little blue thing up here that says "Check Spelling" so I don't have to put up with the same crap you did.

Hey, it didn't like "rotorhead" but I do so I hit the ignore button.

Answer 3

There's a book out there called Mental Math For Pilots... I've done ok without, not sure if it would help you but give it a gander

I've been a helicopter pilot for almost two years... I'm not too sharp on math either, but there's ways to cheat.. For example you gotta know how fast you're flying somewhere, and if you get diverted, you've got to figure out how far the next airport is, heading, time, and how much fuel you'll need. You can write formula's down on a kneeboard or examples like: 10NM @ 75kts = 1.2 min = 1.6 gal.... That may not be accurate. Anyway, that's most of it... Check out Silver State Helicopters, they're all over the country and take you all the way to Instructor license and I've had a great experience.

Don't do it if you're not dedicated to making this your LIFE PATH

Answer 4

If math were that important I wouldn't have retired from a 30 plus year career in aviation (mostly in Helicopters). All you need is an E6B and know how to use it and you will get past all the tests. After that we use mostly "Rule of thumb" in the Bush. In a VFR helicopter you don't have a co-pilot (and in some cases, no auto pilot) and don't have the time to be trying to math things out.
Besides, everything is computerized now, not like when I was flying. Punch it in and you get the answer.
Start your training, stop worrying and enjoy, it's fun. Beats working for a living.
P.S. I can't spell well either and used a Timex watch for my whole career along with a regular pair of sunglasses

Answer 5

What your brother is asserting is genuine. surely Iraqis knowledgeable 1000's of monkeys to guard its airspace, yet following the conflict, many have now emigrated to the U. S. and authorized themselves to fly civilian helicopters. i does no longer loan your place yet even with the incontrovertible fact that because of the fact the FAA has yet to approve monkey piloted helicopters in commercial provider, in spite of the actuality that they are allowed to fly inner maximum plane. inner maximum for this reason means they at the instant are not allowed to sell seats. So i'm unsure how your brother proposes to make an earnings.

Answer 6

Physics affects all of us in everything we do. You'll learn about physics as it applies to flying. You'll learn about the "theories of flight". You'll have to learn about weather, topographical map reading.
Then there are the instruments and the machine itself to familiarize yourself with.
If you love to fly, you'll learn it! All of that knowledge is for your use when flying!
Back in the late 60's when all helicopters were piston engine types, I took 15 hours of helicopter flying lessons. I was talked into quitting because "women" couldn't get jobs flying in the Canadian Bush up north. I would have had to fly as a corporate pilot from rooftop to rooftop in the U.S.A.
All the Vietnam War pilots were returning home and got all the flying jobs......I was in my early 20's then and so got discouraged and quit. A couple of years later women were becoming geologists, engineers, etc., so if I had persevered then I would have been a retired pilot now. (Im 60)
Now, when I see all these beautiful machines out there I still get goosebumps.
Never give up your dream! Believe in yourself and dont get sidetracked. Go to your local helicopter flying school at your airport and talk to instructors and students studying it. Hang out at the hangar! Immerse yourself in what you love and enjoy! Don't let others talk you out of it if it's truly your passion!
Good luck.............and remember TRUST YOUR INSTRUMENTS!!!

Answer 7

I did 15 years in helicopters in the US Navy, and you need to so simple math in your head instantly...

If your load is X, and temp is Y, and humidity is Z... how much torque can you use safely to get into the air.

The "physics and math" part of the SCHOOL house is stuff you can brush up with your tutor.

Answer 8

I also had such an ambition, but i actually missed it... I dont want that to happen to you.... I really dont know what sort of maths is involved, but i feel like wishing you.....keep working hard ,maths isn't very hard........ALL THE VERY BEST......

Answer 9

Don't worry about the math. Your grammar and spelling need help.