I am a college sophomore and am very interested in PLC in general and now PLC aviation especially. I never thought of becoming a pilot because my eyes (20/100)wouldn't cut it, but i recently read from a few sources that the Marines do accept that vision level. I would imagine the Marines would have me receive PRK surgery and that would be that.

If this is this the case, and I am lucky enough to get a shot, what would be competitive credentials to make it to flight school? I believe (have not confirmed with OSO!) that I have met sufficient academic reqs. (SAT/ACT scores over 1000/22, GPA variable). Also physically I will be competitive. My only reservations would be that since I am earning a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a minor in Psychology, if that non mathematically intensive program would hamper me (not just for selection but also for mathematical skills that should be available to me in flight school). I am no slouch, but math does not come easy for me. What kind of math do pilots have to do? I've read that a basic knowledge of physics and geometry are important (for the ASTB specifically) but how in depth is the classroom training required of pilots? I don't think I would be able to handle an intensive Calc-3 course or something crazy like that. What pace is the academic training at? I am sure if they say, "know how to do this operation because it affects this," i would be able to study and master it. If its more like, "read chapter 3 by tomorrow and practice all 50 problems tonight, were quizzing tomorrow," well that would be terrible.

Well anyways thanks for your help and I thought I would post it in here instead of the wannabes section because it was a little specific.

If the moderator feels this is not the proper place and that i would get more answers in the wannabe forum then by all means

Your in the right hooch, not that I'm a mod.

Hang loose.

Someone will swing by and give you an answer.

quote:

Originally posted by twist_the_wrist:

Encountered a number of liberal arts majors who were Naval Aviators and NFOs. You'll need the math skills to make it through aeronautics though.

I guess i can simplify my question into one point. Does the math encountered on the ASTB a good indicator of the level of mathematics required for the more advanced training?

Probably a quarter total of all the air contracts in either of my platoons at OCS were any kind of engineering/mathmatics background. Most of us (myself included) were liberals arts or buisness of some kind. Hell one was a phys ed major.

Just kick the crap out of the ASTB and the Board PFT and you'll be fine.

i know this post is a little old but does my crap kicking of the ASTB increase my chances of getting PLC/OCS

You'd be surprised at what you can learn. I was an English major in college...and there I was learning electronics....could have used some better math...but I learned what I needed...
You don't need to be a math whiz to fly...

I'm looking at PLC for the aviation requirement also, but on a side note:

"You don't need to be a math whiz to fly..."
My father's a former Navy pilot and current airline pilot. His comment on math was:

"When I started, we did everything either in our heads or on paper, now I just turn dials and the lights tell me if I'm right."