How can I be an airline pilot if I have a learning disability and am bad at math?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

First, I suggest consulting at least two FAA Aeromedical Doctors and get your First Class Student Pilot Medical Certificate and talk to him/her about your concerns.

Second, enroll in a private pilot ground school either locally at the airport or via the internet. Then take the Private Pilot Written Test. if you do well, continue and enroll in the Instrument Rating Ground School and take that test. Keep going with all the written exams and see how you do:

Private Pilot
Instrument Rating
Commercial Pilot
Advanced Ground Instructor
Instrument Ground Instructor
Principles of Instructing
Flight Engineer Written Turbojet
Airline Transport Pilot

At some point in the middle of all these ground schools and exams you'll get an idea if you're capable or not. If you're comfortable then start taking flying lessons.

You'll never know unless you try. You may stumble along from time to time too, just keep at it and don't quit too quickly, you may be pleasantly surprised that you can do it.

Thomas Zerbarini

How can I be an airline pilot if I have a learning disability and am bad at math?

My parents complain about me to their siblings and I feel none of them care about me anymore, including my parents. What should I do?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

I'm sorry about what you have heard. It feels terrible to over hear a conversation about you when it's negative. Even if they are frustrated with you or have good reason to be upset with you--it still hurts.

If you feel comfortable with speaking to your parents, let them know what you heard and how that makes you feel. Don't attack, complain or blame, just relate your feelings and ask them to please not do that anymore.

At the very least you will feel better about expressing your true feelings. Secondly, the openness about how you feel may develop dialogue with your parents. There is obviously things that you may need to discuss and work through with your parents.

Try to keep an open mind and take responsibility and ownership of your contribution (negative or positive) in the relationship with your parents. If you express your feelings honestly and calmly and take responsibility for your contribution to the conflict, you will find that others will take ownership of their contributions and hurtful statements more easily.

This is very basic advice without knowing the details of what led up to your parents complaints.

Thomas Zerbarini

My parents complain about me to their siblings and I feel none of them care about me anymore, including my parents. What should I do?

How do I become a pilot?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

Its as simple as going to your local small airport and taking lessons. Look up schools near you on the internet or phone book.

Here's a great article from AOPA Flight Training Magazine on How to Choose a Flight School:

- Flight Training

Here's the link for the AOPA Flight Training Magazine on searching the 141 school database:

Flight School Directory

Here is the Aviation College Database Search:

Search the Aviation College Database

Thomas Zerbarini

How do I become a pilot?

What is a good printable chore chart for teenagers?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

There are a number of charts you can find here to get some really great ideas:

teenage chore chart and app

I like the ones that incorporate school work and home chores in a checklist form that require a review with the parents daily to reinforce acknowledging and praise that the tasks were completed.

I've also looked into ChoreMonster  younger kids love it.

You may want to check out an App for your iPhone or other device since kids are so into their electronics. Check out iAllowance (Allowances, Chores & Rewards w/Sync)  and iReward  in the App store.

For more adult type apps for your teen check out these:

30/30 - You have never experienced a task manager like this!

Wunderlist | To-do list, Reminders, Errands - App of the Year!

My Study Life

Habitica - Your Life the Role Playing Game

I like all of them for their uniqueness in helping with specific habits to focus on improving. For a tech teen I'd probably look at the 30/30 app and then My Study Life app when they got into High School to prepare them for college daily planning.

Thomas Zerbarini

What is a good printable chore chart for teenagers?

What is the most maneuverable aircraft in the world?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

When we talk about maneuverability in an aircraft you have to consider that an aircraft is more maneuverable the more its aerodynamics are "unstable." The aircraft I would say was the most maneuverable would be the experimental Grumman X-29 flown by NASA:

This unusual looking aircraft that appeared to seem it was flying backwards was so unstable that it required a triple redundant Fly-by-wire (Fly by Wire: Fact versus Science Fiction) flight control system to provide "artificial" stability and keep the aircraft from spinning out of control. The cockpit was simple yet the aircraft was ahead of its time.

The aircrafts instability was inherent in turning the wing backwards. The aircraft wanted to pitch, roll and dutch roll violently if not actively controlled by the triple redundant fly-by-wire systems with an analog back-up.

I'm certain that the variable exhaust nozzles, being used in our most advanced fighters today, if placed on an forward swept design like the X-29 would have dazzled NASA and the Pentagon on the extreme maneuverability of such a concept.

You'll have to consider that todays designs are larger demand multi-role tactical fighters that are bigger, use stealth technology an

d would have a tendency to be more lumbering in a dogfight than say the F-16 or a design like the X-29.

In an effort to save money, congress tends to like the multi-role fighter platform. Such a platform depends more on technology, missiles and radar to defeat a foe and the aircraft tend to be larger and more lumbering.
This idea has happened in the past with other aircraft like the F-4 Phantom. A huge powerful aircraft that was too big to effectively dogfight with lighter more maneuverable fighter jets. We may again see another aircraft surface that is light and nimble to truly replace the F-16.

Thomas Zerbarini

What is the most maneuverable aircraft in the world?

What is mogas?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

MoGas is motor vehicle gas or gasoline. General Aviation aircraft owners sometimes use MoGas instead of AvGas to save money. MoGas generally is cheaper than AvGas. Pilots flying experimental aircraft tend to use MoGas more than pilots flying manufactured aircraft.

There are issues that must be considered if using MoGas.

Using Motor Gasoline in Aircraft Reciprocating Engines

Also, check out the FAA Advisory Circular on using MoGas:

AC 91-33A - Use of Alternate Grades of Aviation Gasoline for Grade 80/87, and Use of Automotive Gasoline

MoGas may become a more popular form of fuel for General Aviation due to the fact that AvGas may become obsolete over the years. Aircraft engine manufacturers are already addressing the issue by making duel fuel engines.

Thomas Zerbarini

What is mogas?

What happens when a bird strikes an aircraft?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

That depends on how large and how fast the aircraft is traveling. Also, how many birds the aircrafts strikes as well.

Small birds are typically a non event.

 Medium birds can cause some skin dents and internal dents or popped rivets.

Large birds are the most dangerous. Large birds can cause significant damage and up to catastrophic failure of an engine, windshield or Radome nose cone.

Manufacturers go to great lengths to test engines for bird ingestion. Check out this test by GE, Watch GE Test Its Jet Engines by Putting Them Through Hell

As a pilot, anytime we encounter or suspect a bird strike we report that suspicion to the airport or Air Traffic Controller (ATC) to advise other pilots and airport personnel to inspect the runways for a circus or more birds that could be hazardous to other aircraft. Secondly, we'll run any appropriate checklists and determine if the flight can continue or be terminated. Upon landing, the crew will make a written maintenance entry and advice maintenance control of the bird strike Maintenance will conduct a thorough inspection on the aircraft to determine if any damage was encountered. Finally, the crew will file a written report to the company which will document the event for the company and FAA to research and/or track the bird strike event.

Bird strikes are usually not a serious event; but, they can be if the bird is large enough to cause severe damage.

Thomas Zerbarini

What happens when a bird strikes an aircraft?