Flight Computer Exercises — E6b

Scenario: You are cruising at 9,500 feet at 130 knots TAS. Your engine sputters. You locate an airport 27 NM away on your map. You have a 15-knot tailwind.

To truly master these skills, do not just read the answers. Create a flashcard deck with variables. Here is a 15-minute daily drill:

Mastering the E6B flight computer, affectionately known as the "Whiz Wheel," is a rite of passage for any pilot. This circular slide rule has remained a cockpit staple for over 80 years because it doesn't require batteries and can solve complex navigation problems in seconds.

The device is split into two primary parts: the Calculator Side for math like fuel burn and time, and the Wind Side for determining groundspeed and wind correction. Practice Exercise 1: Time, Speed, and Distance The most common use of the calculator side is solving the (Distance = Rate x Time) equation.

Problem: How much time will it take to fly 120 Nautical Miles (NM) at a groundspeed of 100 knots?

Step 1: Rotate the inner scale until the "60" Index (the big black triangle) is opposite your groundspeed (100) on the outer scale. Step 2: Locate your distance (120) on the outer scale. Step 3: Read the corresponding time on the inner scale. Answer: 72 minutes (or 1 hour and 12 minutes). Practice Exercise 2: Wind Correction and Groundspeed e6b flight computer exercises

The wind side is used to find your Wind Correction Angle (WCA) and Groundspeed (GS) by plotting a "wind dot".

Problem: Find the Groundspeed and Heading for a flight with: True Course (TC): 130∘130 raised to the composed with power Winds: From 250∘250 raised to the composed with power at 15 knots True Airspeed (TAS): 112 knots Procedure: Set Wind: Rotate the transparent disk to 250∘250 raised to the composed with power under the True Index.

Mark Velocity: Mark a dot 15 units up from the center "grommet". Set Course: Rotate the disk so 130∘130 raised to the composed with power is under the True Index.

Adjust for Airspeed: Slide the background grid until your wind dot is on the 112-knot arc.

Read Results: Your Groundspeed is under the grommet (approx. 119 knots) and your WCA is shown by how many degrees left or right the dot is from the centerline. Practice Exercise 3: Fuel Consumption Scenario : You are cruising at 9,500 feet at 130 knots TAS

Calculating fuel is critical for legal requirements and safety.

Mastering the E6B flight computer, often called the "whiz wheel," is a rite of passage for every pilot. While digital apps are convenient, the manual E6B is a reliable, battery-free tool that helps you visualize the relationships between speed, time, distance, and wind.

Below are exercises designed to sharpen your skills on both the calculator and wind sides of the E6B. Part 1: The Calculator Side (Time, Speed, & Distance)

The calculator side is a circular slide rule used for ratio-based problems.

The E6B flight computer is an analog tool used by pilots to perform aviation calculations. It consists of two sides: the Calculator Side (circular slide rule) and the Wind Side. Before touching the wind side of the E6B,

Here is a practical guide to the most common E6B exercises, broken down by the side of the computer used.

Before touching the wind side of the E6B, you must master the "whiz wheel" side. The formula is simple: Distance = Speed × Time. But the E6B uses a slide rule, not a calculator.

Use the circular slide rule side of your E6B. Remember: The "60" index is your hour/minute reference point.

Speed/Distance Problems: 6. You have flown 85 nautical miles in 42 minutes. What is your Ground Speed in knots? 7. At a Ground Speed of 135 knots, how long will it take to fly 320 nautical miles? (Answer in hours and minutes). 8. If your Ground Speed is 95 knots, how far will you travel in 1 hour and 15 minutes?

Fuel Consumption Problems: 9. Your aircraft burns 9.5 gallons per hour. How much fuel will you burn in 2 hours and 30 minutes? 10. You have 35 gallons of useable fuel. If your aircraft burns 12 gallons per hour, what is your total flight time before the tanks are empty? (Assume no reserve for this calculation). 11. You have flown for 45 minutes and burned 7.5 gallons. What is your fuel burn rate in Gallons Per Hour (GPH)?

Scenario: Your aircraft burns 8 gallons per hour (GPH). How much fuel will you burn in 2 hours and 30 minutes?

Scenario: You are flying at 5,000 ft. The Outside Air Temperature (OAT) is +10°C. Your Calibrated Airspeed (CAS) is 100 knots.