for students

How to Convert Knots to MPH, and More Unit Magic
using conversion factors to change units and confirm results

Math and Physics / / , , ,

The boring way to convert knots to mph is to multiply knots by 1.15.((This is actually more like 1.150779, but we’ll use the rounded version.)) But this skips over some awesome unit magic.

Specifically, we can use conversion factors to change between related units. Let’s look again at how to convert knots to mph.

Suppose you’re traveling at v\ \text{knots}=v\ \frac{\text{nautical miles}}{\text{hour}}. Then,

    \[ v\ \frac{\cancel{\text{nautical miles}}}{\text{hour}} * \frac{1.15\ \text{miles}}{1\ \cancel{\text{nautical miles}}} = v * 1.15\ \frac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}}} = v * 1.15\ \text{mph} \]

Did You Just Cross Out the Units?

I did! This is called a conversion factor,((More precisely, you may hear this called dimensional analysis or the factor-label method.)) and is based on the principle that anything multiplied by 1 equals itself. It is an easy way to convert between units, and allows us to solve a variety of aviation problems.

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How to Convert Knots to MPH, and More Unit Magic
using conversion factors to change units and confirm resultsRead More »

How to Convert Knots to MPH, and More Unit Magic
using conversion factors to change units and confirm results Read More »

10 Important Figures on the Instrument Knowledge Test
info about figures that are likely to appear and may be easy points

Knowledge Test / / , , , , ,

It turns out there is only a handful of figures on the instrument knowledge test that:

  1. Are likely to be asked about, and
  2. Could be easy points on the test.

These are the 10 figures I believe are worth a closer study.

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10 Important Figures on the Instrument Knowledge Test
info about figures that are likely to appear and may be easy pointsRead More »

10 Important Figures on the Instrument Knowledge Test
info about figures that are likely to appear and may be easy points Read More »

How to Pass the Instrument Written Test
an approach to preparing for and taking the knowledge test

Knowledge Test / / , , , , ,

Update: The r/flying community strongly recommended using Sheppard Air to prepare for the instrument written test. I can’t personally recommend the software, but wanted to pass on the tip to future readers.

I had only planned to write about the figures in the testing supplement((You can find that post here.)), but two experiences on the instrument written test motivated a second post.

  1. I was much more stressed than I expected during the test. This testing strategy helped me avoid (several) silly mistakes.
  2. My approach seemed to work! I only missed two answers (97%) on the final test.

It’s useful to break preparing and testing into three stages.((To keep focused, I used my system for personal task management. I added tasks for each publication chapter and each ground school lesson. Then as the test got closer, I added tasks for taking practice tests and filling knowledge gaps.))

  1. Months Before ~ Learn the Material
  2. Weeks Before ~ Find and Fill Knowledge Gaps
  3. Night/Day Of ~ Make the Most of Test Day
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How to Pass the Instrument Written Test
an approach to preparing for and taking the knowledge testRead More »

How to Pass the Instrument Written Test
an approach to preparing for and taking the knowledge test Read More »

How to Improve ForeFlight With a Bay Area Content Pack
an overview of content packs and a download for the Bay Area

Tools / / , , , , ,

If you’re planning to fly in the San Francisco area, you should install a Bay Area content pack for ForeFlight.((This is short post; if you already know what content packs are, this link may be all you need.))

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How to Improve ForeFlight With a Bay Area Content Pack
an overview of content packs and a download for the Bay AreaRead More »

How to Improve ForeFlight With a Bay Area Content Pack
an overview of content packs and a download for the Bay Area Read More »

Learn ForeFlight the Easy Way: With a Flight Simulator
a collection of simulator resources to build proficiency with ForeFlight

Tools / / , , , , ,

The best time to learn ForeFlight is on the ground. With a bit of practice, you can safely leverage its many features while flying. (And avoid figuring them out in the air!)

This post collects together several resources on how to connect and use ForeFlight with a flight simulator.

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Learn ForeFlight the Easy Way: With a Flight Simulator
a collection of simulator resources to build proficiency with ForeFlightRead More »

Learn ForeFlight the Easy Way: With a Flight Simulator
a collection of simulator resources to build proficiency with ForeFlight Read More »

How to Upgrade Your Personal Task Management System
an approach to keep daily and weekly tasks focused on your priorities

Productivity / / , , , , , ,

I found this task management system useful as an Engineering Manager and Program Manager at Apple, as a student pilot, and now as I study to teach others how to fly. It helps align tasks with priorities, then focus on completing them efficiently.

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How to Upgrade Your Personal Task Management System
an approach to keep daily and weekly tasks focused on your prioritiesRead More »

How to Upgrade Your Personal Task Management System
an approach to keep daily and weekly tasks focused on your priorities Read More »