E6b Flight Computer Exercises Page

The E6B flight computer, often called the "whiz wheel," has been a staple in aviation since World War II. While electronic versions exist, the classic analog sliderule remains a required skill for many flight training programs and navigation exams.

Below are three categorized "missions" to help you master the different sides of your E6B. Mission 1: The Wind Side (Navigation & Drift)

The wind side is used to determine how much you need to "crab" into the wind to stay on course. Problem: You are flying a True Course (TC) of 030∘030 raised to the composed with power with a True Airspeed (TAS) of knots. The winds aloft are reported from 320∘320 raised to the composed with power

The Challenge: Find your Wind Correction Angle (WCA) and Groundspeed (GS). The Steps: 320∘320 raised to the composed with power under the True Index. Slide the grommet to a reference line (e.g., ) and mark a dot Rotate the wheel to align 030∘030 raised to the composed with power under the True Index. Slide the card so the wind dot sits on your TAS of The Solution: Your WCA is roughly 14∘14 raised to the composed with power Left and your GS is knots. Mission 2: The Calculator Side (Time, Speed, & Fuel)

The circular sliderule side uses the "60 Rate" arrow to solve ratio problems. Problem: You are planning a leg of nautical miles (NM) with a calculated groundspeed of knots. Your aircraft burns gallons per hour (GPH).

The Challenge: How much time will it take, and how much fuel will you burn (excluding reserves)? The Steps: Time: Align the "60 Rate" arrow to on the outer scale. Find on the outer scale and read the minutes on the inner scale. Fuel: Align the "60 Rate" arrow to

GPH. Find your calculated time on the inner scale and read the gallons on the outer scale. The Solution: Time is minutes ( minutes), and total fuel burned is gallons. Mission 3: High-Altitude Performance (Density Altitude)

The small windows in the center of the calculator side account for air density, which affects how your plane actually performs. Problem: You are at a Pressure Altitude of feet with an Outside Air Temperature (OAT) of The Challenge: Find your True Altitude. The Steps: In the "True Altitude" window, align Read the result directly from the window's index.

The Solution: Based on these parameters, your True Altitude is approximately feet. Quick Practice Workbook e6b flight computer exercises

The E6B flight computer, often called the "whiz wheel," is an essential tool for performing in-flight calculations like time-speed-distance, fuel consumption, and wind correction

Below are text-based exercises designed to help you practice using both the Calculator Side (front) and the (back) of your manual E6B. Section 1: Calculator Side Exercises

These problems focus on basic math using the circular slide rule scales. Use the Speed Index (the large triangular 60 mark) on the inner scale for hourly rates. Time-Distance-Speed

At a groundspeed of 115 knots, how far will you travel in 25 minutes?

How long will it take to fly 215 nautical miles at a groundspeed of 145 knots?

You traveled 35 nautical miles in 18 minutes. What is your groundspeed? Fuel Consumption Total Burn:

Your engine burns 8.4 gallons per hour (GPH). How much fuel is used in 2 hours and 15 minutes? Endurance:

You have 32 gallons of usable fuel and burn 11.5 GPH. What is your fuel endurance in hours and minutes? Conversions Nautical to Statute: Convert 120 nautical miles (NM) to statute miles (SM). Liquid Volume: The E6B flight computer , often called the

Convert 45 gallons to liters (use the "U.S. GAL" and "LITERS" index marks). Sporty's Pilot Shop Section 2: Wind Side Exercises

These exercises require the sliding grid and the rotating azimuth. Heading & Groundspeed

True Course 125°, Wind 219° at 27 knots, True Airspeed (TAS) 145 knots.

Wind Correction Angle (WCA), Magnetic Heading, and Groundspeed. Finding Unknown Winds

True Heading 090°, True Airspeed (TAS) 110 knots, Track 098°, Groundspeed 125 knots. What is the actual wind direction and speed? Crosswind Component Runway 18, Wind 220° at 15 knots. What is the crosswind component for landing? Flight Apprentice Section 3: Altitude & Airspeed Windows

Use the small internal "windows" on the calculator side to solve for environmental factors. Aviation Supplies & Academics

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.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with good E6B flight computer exercises, students make specific errors: Report Title: Practical Exercises with the E6B Flight

• The Inverted Slide Rule: Remember: Outer scale is Distance/Fuel. Inner scale is Time. If your time answer is 300 minutes for a 50 NM trip, you read the wrong scale.
• The Wind Dot Drift: Ensure you mark the wind dot up from the grommet (toward the True Index) for wind from, not down.
• Temperature Confusion: Always use outside air temperature (OAT) for density altitude and TAS, not standard temperature.
• Units: Are you using gallons or pounds? Statute miles or nautical miles? Ensure your E6B is set for nautical (most are) unless you specifically adjust.

Exercise 4.2: The "Off-Course" Correction

Scenario: You are 50 NM into a 200 NM leg. You realize you are 8 NM left of course. Calculate the correction heading to hit the destination.

Use the E6B off-course correction formula (or slide rule method): Correction angle = (Distance off course / Distance flown) × 60

Here: (8/50) × 60 = 9.6° correction to the right.

E6B Flight Computer Exercises

This article presents a set of practical exercises to build competence with the E6B flight computer (manual circular slide rule + wind side). Each exercise includes a brief objective, given data, steps using the E6B, and the expected result (answers). Use a standard manual E6B; units are indicated.

Part 3: Conversions and "The Fuzzy Math"

Because the slide rule does not show decimal points, you must estimate magnitude.

5. Density Altitude & True Airspeed

Given: Pressure altitude 6,500 ft, OAT +12°C, CAS 105 kts.

Method:

1. Align OAT (+12°C) with pressure altitude (6,500 ft) on inner scale.
2. Read density altitude at arrow → ~7,800 ft.
3. From CAS (105 kts) read TAS opposite density altitude → ~115 kts.

Results:

• Density altitude: 7,800 ft
• True airspeed: 115 kts

Note: High density altitude reduces aircraft performance (longer takeoff roll, lower climb rate).

Part 2: The Wind Side (The Grid)

Used for Wind Correction Angles (WCA) and Ground Speed.