Am I honestly a retard???

[bigD]

DOH! Sorry!

 

[Vik]

You're not retard. You'll discover lots of "basic" skills you've lost along the way because of the increased use of calculators in schools these days.

Your instructor needs to read the FOI, thats for certain.

You just learned that you need to brush up on your basic math skills. Its not a huge deal and you're not a retard. After 6th grade, how often do you really do long division? I suppose you could forget.

You need to brush up on your basic math and long division, and tell your instructor to go read the FOI. She's got some screws loose.

I hope she did not make a scene in front of a classroom full of students.

Anyway, I've seen people of all ages come in to learn how to fly, many of whom haven't had basic math or science in 30yrs! They can't tell you what the atmosphere is, what gravity is, etc. Its all "basic" but it doesn't mean you know it. They have to be explained everything carefully and they're not retards either.

I'd love to give your instructor a piece of my mind. Its because of dolts like her that a large number of people that start work on their Private never finish.

I just finished the FAA regulations in ground school, and we're moving on to aspects that deal with aircraft performance. One of the first things we did was cover density altitude, and figure such altitudes given a list of known factors. I completely understand the concepts, and also understand how to figure density altitute. The problem arrose when I needed to divide some numbers, and I said I would need a calculator. My GS instuctor looked at me kind of strange, and said "you can't figure it on paper"? I said that I had completely forgotten how to divide numbers without the use of a calculator. This did not seem to sit well with her. She went on to question me about what I wanted to do with my flying!!! She said that if I ever wanted to fly professionaly, that I should take a basic math course!!! So at this point I feel like a total retard, and all I can do is give some excuse about using calculators since 5th grade...

Now I know that I SHOULD be able to divide numbers on paper, but does anyone think she was just a little over the top? I mean, I was under the impression that you could bring a calculator to the written exam? I really do not see why it is so alarming that I simply cannot divide numbers on paper. I've seen pilots use electronic E6B's, and yet I can't use a $2 calculator?

Would really appreciate some honest advise on this.

 

[RJP]

That slide rule E6B *is* a calculator. It's just an analog one. The only difference between it and an electronic one is the presentation. Well, that and the batteries don't die in the analog one.

So's an abacus but you don't see anyone using that **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ing thing in an aircraft either. Give the kid a break. Who cares HOW you figure out when to do what as long as you figure it out before it's too late.

And Tony, "Quadratic" what? What the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** are you talking about man. I can see why you're embarassed but we're probably not thinking of the same reason.

I bet you guys think that all military pilots are aeronautical engineers from the academy, too. Plenty of artists and history majors that couldn't divide their way out of a paper bag. Hate to break it to ya, but it's just not that important.

 

[RJP]

Vik, did you call that **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** a dolt? Whoa. That must've come from the dictionary page you linked to earlier! ;-)

Chicks like that give a bad name to the ones that do a good job in the industry.

ps. Why is the word "bitch" not censored but "**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**" is?

 

[TonyC]

And Tony, "Quadratic" what? What the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** are you talking about man. I can see why you're embarassed but we're probably not thinking of the same reason.

It's Algebra I - - in our school district, it's required for High School graduation.

 

[Captain4242]

I bring a little pocket calculator with me when I fly; I thought it would help out with weight and balances. Turns out that I really only use it to figure out how much fuel I'll buy from the FBO; and may I say that my fuel loads have been great lately!

I say she was out of line.

 

[TopGun-MAV]

don't be to hard on yourself. i just finished jungle jet training for mesa and i have yet to use diddicult head formulas. for crossing restrictons i just descend at 3000fpm and i'll be sure to make it


maverivick - jungle jet fo, be1900 fo

 

[bigD]

Speaking of retards....

 

[Uncle Sparky]

Speaking of retards....

Oh stop!! you're just being "diddicult"!! Hey Mavurerurik....lay off the sauce and get that shift key fixed!!

 

[qmaster3]

UnAnswered

The fact that your paying this B----, how much $$ to learn how to fly would concern me. There are enough CFI's in this world. Find one you like. Don't let anyone tell you what you will or won't do!