E6b Flight: Computer Exercises

Mastering the Skies: Essential E6B Flight Computer Exercises for Every Pilot

In the world of general aviation, few tools are as iconic—or as misunderstood—as the E6B flight computer. Whether you prefer the classic “whiz wheel” circular slide rule or its electronic counterpart, the ability to manipulate numbers for fuel burn, time en route, wind correction angles, and density altitude is a fundamental skill. However, owning an E6B isn’t enough; you must drill it until it becomes second nature.

This article provides a comprehensive set of E6B flight computer exercises designed to take you from a clumsy beginner to a confident aviator. These exercises simulate real-world scenarios, from pre-flight planning to emergency diversions.

Exercise 5: Finding True Heading and Groundspeed

Given: True Course (TC) = 090° | Wind Direction & Speed = 050° at 25 knots | True Airspeed (TAS) = 120 knots.
Task: Find the Wind Correction Angle (WCA) and Groundspeed (GS).
Method:
1. Set the wind direction (050°) under the True Index.
2. Mark the wind dot 25 knots up from the center grommet.
3. Rotate to set TC (090°) under the True Index.
4. Slide the disc so your TAS (120) is under the center grommet.
5. Read the WCA where the wind dot intersects the horizontal grid lines (usually 9° Left).
6. Read the GS where the wind dot intersects the vertical arcs (approx 109 knots).
Answer: HDG = 081° (090 – 9) | GS = 109 knots.

Exercise 2: Fuel Consumption

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

Set the Rate: Place the Fuel Flow (8) on the outer scale over the Speed Index (60) on the inner scale.
- Configuration: 8 (Outer) over 60 (Inner).
Find the Fuel: Find the Time (2:30 or 150 minutes) on the inner scale.
- Note: 2 hours 30 minutes = 150 minutes. Find 15 on the inner scale (interpret as 150).
Read the result: Look at the number on the outer scale directly above the 150.
- It will be 20.
- Answer: 20 gallons.

Final Verdict: Analog vs. iPad

The electronic E6B apps are fast. Use them for the written exam. But for the flight review, the checkride, or that rust-buster flight?

Practice the whiz wheel.

It doesn't overheat. It doesn't dim in sunlight. And most importantly, when you accidentally type 145 instead of 154 into a calculator, you won't notice. On a mechanical E6B, if your TAS and GS are off by 30 knots, the slide rule looks wrong to your eye.

Your challenge this week: Pull your E6B out. Run Exercise #3 (wind) three times until you can do it in under 90 seconds. Your examiner will thank you.

Have a favorite E6B trick or a mnemonic that saved your checkride? Drop it in the comments below.

Mastering the E6B flight computer (or "Whiz Wheel") is a rite of passage for every student pilot. While modern apps like ForeFlight e6b flight computer exercises

do the heavy lifting today, the E6B remains a reliable backup that doesn't need batteries and is approved for FAA knowledge tests

Below is a draft post you can use for a study group or social media, featuring three core exercise categories to sharpen your skills. ✈️ Mastering the "Whiz Wheel": E6B Practice Exercises

Whether you’re prepping for your PPL written exam or just want to stay sharp, these manual E6B exercises will help you master speed, time, and wind calculations. 1. Time, Speed, and Distance (The Front Side)

The rate arrow (the large triangle on the inner scale) is your best friend here. Always set it to your speed to find time or distance. Exercise A: If your groundspeed is , how long will it take to travel Exercise B: You’ve been flying for 1 hour and 40 minutes at a speed of . How far have you traveled? Exercise C: 6.8 minutes . What is your groundspeed in knots? 2. Wind Correction & Groundspeed (The Wind Side)

This requires "dropping the dot" to find your Wind Correction Angle (WCA). The Setup: Set Wind Direction under the True Index Mark Wind Velocity up from the center grommet. True Course under the True Index. Slide the wind dot to your True Airspeed (TAS) Challenge: 160° at 20 knots . Your True Course is 270° (West) and your TAS is What is your Wind Correction Angle and Groundspeed? 3. Fuel Burn Calculations Fuel planning is critical for safety and completing a navigation log

E6B skills - necessary or a bizarre anachronism waiting to die : r/flying

Report Title: Practical Exercises with the E6B Flight Computer
Course: Private Pilot / Instrument Rating Ground School
Date: [Insert Date]
Instructor: [Your Name]
Student Objectives: Perform speed–distance–time, fuel consumption, wind correction, and density altitude calculations using a manual (whiz wheel) E6B.

Part 3: Advanced Conversions & Density Altitude

Use the temperature and density scales on the slide rule or the small windows on the calculator side. Mastering the Skies: Essential E6B Flight Computer Exercises

True Airspeed (TAS) & Density Altitude: 12. You are flying at a Pressure Altitude of 8,000 ft with an Outside Air Temperature (OAT) of +10°C. The Calibrated Airspeed (CAS) is 130 knots. Calculate the True Airspeed (TAS). 13. The field elevation is 5,500 ft. The altimeter setting is standard (29.92" Hg). The temperature is 30°C. Calculate the Density Altitude.

Conversions: 14. Convert 155 knots to Statute Miles Per Hour (MPH). 15. Convert 85 gallons of fuel (US) to Imperial Gallons.

Part 1: Core Conversions (Always on the E6B’s inner/outer scales)

Exercise 1 – Fuel Conversions
Given: 32 US gallons.
Find: Imperial gallons and liters.

Answer: 26.6 Imp gal, 121.1 L

Exercise 2 – Weight & Volume (Avgas)
Given: Avgas weighs 6 lb/US gal. You have 45 US gal.
Find: Total weight.

Answer: 270 lb

Exercise 3 – Distance Conversions
Given: 75 statute miles (SM).
Find: Nautical miles (NM).

Answer: 65.2 NM

Part 2: The Calculator Side (Speed, Time, Distance, & Fuel)

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)?

8. Conclusion

All students successfully completed the basic E6B exercises. Two areas need reinforcement:

Correct use of the wind side for WCA sign (left vs. right correction)
Converting minutes to decimal hours for TSD

A follow-up session will focus on crosswind components and plotting headings for diversions.

Attachments:

Blank E6B worksheet (with 10 practice problems)
Answer key for exercises 1–6

The paper is structured with an Exercise Section followed by a Detailed Solutions Section explaining the knob movements and slide rule operations.