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Maths In Jobs

Be a junior pilot for a day maths challenge

An imaginative role-play challenge where children use time zones, distance, speed, height and navigation like a real pilot.

Quick answer

You can be a junior pilot for a day by solving maths problems about time zones, distance, speed, and navigation – just like real pilots do!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use time zones, distance, speed, and navigation to plan a pretend flight from one city to another. Success signs:
  • You can calculate how long a journey will take using speed and distance
  • You can tell the time in different cities using time zones
  • You can follow a simple flight path using basic directions
  • You can work out how far you have flown using a map and scale

Why this matters

Pilots use maths every day to make sure planes fly safely and on time. When you're a junior pilot, you'll use maths to:
  • Plan your flight path
  • Check how long it takes to get from one place to another
  • Know what time it is in different places
  • Make sure you don’t run out of fuel
This is like being a detective with numbers – and that’s a superpower you can learn now!

How it works

To be a junior pilot for a day, you’ll do these steps:
  1. Choose a flight route between two cities
  2. Find the distance between them
  3. Calculate how long the flight will take
  4. Work out the time in each city
  5. Draw a simple flight path

Examples you can see

Let’s pretend you’re flying from London to Tokyo. Here’s how you use maths to plan your journey: Step 1: Find the distance London to Tokyo is about 10,900 km (that’s a really long way!). Step 2: Calculate flight time A plane usually flies at about 900 km per hour. To find how long the flight takes, divide the distance by the speed: 10,900 ÷ 900 = about 12 hours Step 3: Work out the time difference London is in the GMT time zone. Tokyo is in the Japan Standard Time zone, which is 8 hours ahead of GMT. So when it’s 12:00 in London, it’s 20:00 in Tokyo. Step 4: Draw your flight path Use a map and a ruler to draw a line from London to Tokyo. You can also use a compass to show which direction the plane is flying.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Fly to the Moon! You’re a junior pilot and your mission is to fly to the Moon. But you need to solve some maths problems first.
  1. First, you need to know how far the Moon is from Earth. It’s about 384,400 km away.
  2. Your spaceship can fly at 10,000 km per hour.
  3. How long will the journey take?
  1. Next, you need to know what time it is on the Moon. It’s the same time as Earth, but the Moon has no time zones.
  2. When it’s 10:00 in London, what time is it on the Moon?
  1. Finally, you need to plan your route. You can’t fly in a straight line, so you’ll need to fly in a curve around the Earth.
  2. Draw a curved line on a globe or map to show your path.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that time zones are always 1 hour apart.
    Why it happens: Children might think all countries are 1 hour apart.
    Fix: Remember that some countries are 30 minutes or even 45 minutes ahead or behind.
  • Mistake: Confusing speed and distance.
    Why it happens: Children might mix up what each number means.
    Fix: Remember: Speed is how fast you go, and distance is how far you go.
  • Mistake: Not using a scale when drawing a flight path.
    Why it happens: Kids might draw a path that looks right but isn’t to scale.
    Fix: Use a ruler and a scale like 1 cm = 100 km to make your path more accurate.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Using a world map or globe to show cities and distances
  • Encouraging your child to draw flight paths and label them
  • Playing time zone games with clocks or apps
  • Using real-life situations like a trip to another city to practice time zones
  • Not worrying if your child makes mistakes – they’re part of learning!
Try to keep the activity fun and not too stressful. Let your child explore and ask questions. You can also ask questions like:
  • “What do you think the plane will look like at the halfway point?”
  • “How many hours do you think it will take to get there?”
  • “What would you do if the plane had to stop for fuel?”

Practice questions

  1. If a plane flies at 800 km/h and needs to travel 2,400 km, how long will the journey take?
  2. London is 12:00. What time is it in New York if it is 5 hours behind London?
  3. On a map with a scale of 1 cm = 200 km, how long would a 600 km journey be on the map?
  4. If you fly from Paris to Sydney (10,000 km) at 900 km/h, how long will it take?
  5. What time is it in Sydney if it is 14:00 in London and Sydney is 10 hours ahead?
Answers:
  1. 2,400 ÷ 800 = 3 hours
  2. 12:00 – 5 hours = 07:00
  3. 600 ÷ 200 = 3 cm
  4. 10,000 ÷ 900 ≈ 11.1 hours
  5. 14:00 + 10 hours = 24:00 (or 00:00 next day)

FAQ

What is a time zone?

A time zone is a region of the Earth that has the same time. There are 24 time zones, and each one is about 15 degrees of longitude wide.

How do pilots use maths in real life?

Pilots use maths for many things: calculating fuel usage, checking weather, planning routes, and making sure they arrive on time. They also use maths to understand how fast they’re going and how far they’ve flown.

Why do we need to know about time zones?

Time zones help us keep track of time around the world. When you travel to another country, you need to know the time difference so you don’t get confused about when it is.

Can I be a pilot when I grow up?

Yes! If you love flying and want to learn more about maths and science, you can train to be a pilot. Pilots are like superheroes who help people travel around the world safely.

How can I practice more maths like a pilot?

You can play games that involve maps, distances, and time. Try drawing your own flight paths, or use a globe to find how far apart cities are. You can also use apps or online tools to explore time zones and distances.