How difficult is Pilot and Air Navigation to learn as a subject? It’s been over a decade since I did my own Senior Cadet exams and to be frank I can’t even remember the subjects I took. I am however hoping to teach 1st Class and Leading Cadet Navigation when I rejoin my Squadron and I wouldn’t mind learning the other two nav modules to teach. Is this a reasonable goal for a non pilot or should I leave it to specialists?
I think it’s one of those things you need an understanding to teach and cant blag it.
We use a qualified flying instructor to teach it.
It is easy enough if you understand triangles and the number 60.
I knew it before I tried to teach it though.
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Yes, it does seem that way. I used to occasionally teach Airframes as a Cadet FS, but nothing too hard from the Senior syllabus. I might have a crack at learning it and see how things shape up next year
I’ll have a look into that, thanks
^^this!
I am a pilot so don’t find it a challenge to understand it, but teaching it to Cadets who may not have full interest makes it more of a challenge.
it isn’t necessarily challenging to understand, but as there is “maths” involve some Cadets instantly will want to switch off as it requires thought.
plan a route which is realistic for them to understand, ie their local AEF/airfield to a landmark, over the top of Squadron and then back, and use easy numbers like 60 or 120 knots to simplify the maths.
but i would certainly consider having some worked examples completed first before trying to blag it. (you can then use those examples in lessons) - i find i used the ppt very little and actually taught them by doing…plotting routes on a map, finding examples of X or Y, otherwise it can be a bit of a dry and slow subject
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It does seem a little dry, but I would like to try and make myself as useful as possible as a new member of staff. It may yet be that I cannot grasp the subject though.
What I would suggest is to do the exam see what the questions are like -and the level they are pitched at, this gives you an idea of what to do. I would suggest this for anything people are being asked to instruct from the classifications. If your squadron still has some of the old paper exams look at them as well.
I’ve pretty much guided cadets while instructing, emphasising the things that seem to come up as questions. Especially the maths and as it multiple choice if they can spot the stupid answers it comes down to a 50/50 in most cases. There is a strong tendency for a lot of rewording such that answers become questions and vice versa. It is ironic that this still happens in the wonderful online exam system.
The maths like all cadet maths is pretty basic. Worked examples and a coujple for them to do as practice. If your sqn still has some of the old paper exams these will be easy to find.
We’ve been route planning for an upcoming DofE expeds and still the cadets look at you like you’re speaking in a foreign tongue when it comes to the maths involed. Route planning for 3-4 milers for parade nights is one of the things we do on a regular basis.
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