Airboss2b...
I asked a Primary instructor pilot at an air show that exact question and he told me I'd be taught everything I need to know and that the hardest math I'd probably ever do would be on the entrance test!
I'm in the same boat as you, about to finish my application for OCS. You'd have to ask John or Matt how much "M & P" you do on a day to day as an actual pilot, (I took some private lessons and you need make calculations for load, fuel and distances but that's just the basics) but if your like me and not strong at remembering formulas and number crunching then the ASTB might give you some trouble. I don't know if you know this already, but taking a test called the Navy/MC Aviation Selection Test Battery, is the first step in getting to OCS. Your coming from active duty so I imagine your application process is a little different, but I'm sure you still have to take this test.
The first hurdle is the Math/Verbal test, 37 question in 35 minutes. It's about 70-80% math really, mostly word problems ranging from general math to geometry and even algebra, and some paragraph comrehension questions.
Wait...it gets better. This test is followed by the not quite as sinister Mechanical Comprehension test. Material covered ranges from electronics, mechanics, measuring devices, tool recognition and some lever and fulcrum problems (which also use equations)to name a few.
Together your score on these two tests make up your OAR (Officer Aptitude Rating) which determines if you are eligible to be an Officer. To screen for pilot you have to take the second part of the test which is the aviation part; comprised of the SAT: Spacial Aperation Test (look at pictures of a plane in flight and pick a corresponding POV pic), the Aviation/Nautical Information Test (answer basic questions about aviation and boating, testing your know-how) and the Biographical Information Test (general personal info and personality questions, there are no right or wrong answers, they're looking for a type).
We did discuss this topic ad'nauseum a few months ago, and I thought these above were the only tests, but ENS. Wilkins said there was a fourth test in the aviation part but I can't recall what, I think he called it the the Aviation Interest test, or something. John/Steve???
My study guides are a few years old so the aviation part of the test may very well have been changed or added too. See a career counselor or recruiter? I don't know which applies to you.
My advice: get the Arco study guides, one titled "Officer Candidate Tests" and the "Military Flight Aptitude Tests" as well. It's probably the same advice you'll get from your career couselor or whoever it is you have to see. Also, if your like me and have big trouble with word problems then get another Arco book titled "How to Solve Algebra Word Problems", Page after page contains word problems identical to the ones on the test and it comes with solid explanations wheras the others tend to give you these huge word problems and then whip these insane formulas out of nowhere. the "...Word Problem" book goes through the process step by step and helps you to learn it better, I think.
[/i]Boy, Arco should pay me![/i]
As for age: I'm 28 also and with prior service and I can apply as late as 29, IE: finish OCS and start API before 29'th b-day. But recently (according to recruiter)it's been hiked to 31 but that's probably very temporary, a lot of slots coming this Oct!
Best of luck!
D
Edited by - Dave Shutter on 08/29/2000 20:49:56