The E6B flight computer is a mechanical calculator designed specifically for aviation. It's a circular slide rule that uses a combination of logarithmic and trigonometric scales to perform a wide range of calculations. The E6B is used for tasks such as:
True Heading=True Course−Left WCA or +Right WCATrue Heading equals True Course minus Left WCA or plus Right WCA Groundspeed: 123 KT Wind Correction Angle: +9° True Heading: 099° Best Practices for E6B Accuracy
The E6B flight computer is a circular slide rule designed to perform a wide range of calculations, including:
For a quick overview of the key functions and common mistakes, see the table below. e6b flight computer exercises verified
9° Right (Dot is to the right, meaning you must crab into the wind). True Heading (TH): 099° (090° TC + 9° WCA) Groundspeed (GS): 123 knots Scenario: True Course (TC): 270° True Airspeed (TAS): 150 knots Wind Direction/Velocity: 300° at 25 knots Verified Results: Wind Correction Angle (WCA): 5° Right True Heading (TH): 275°
Mastering time, speed, and distance calculations forms the foundation of E6B proficiency. These exercises are perfect for building confidence, as the relationships are direct and logical, making them easy to verify.
During a 45-minute flight leg, your aircraft consumes 8.2 gallons of fuel. What is your hourly fuel burn rate? Solution: 10.9 GPH. 3. Wind Correction Angle (WCA) and Groundspeed The E6B flight computer is a mechanical calculator
Climb speed: 90 kts Climb gradient required: 200 ft/NM Required climb rate (FPM)?
On the E6B, the on the inner scale always represents 60 minutes (1 hour). Aligning your groundspeed over this pointer allows you to solve for distance (outer scale) versus time (inner scale). Verified Exercise 1: Finding Groundspeed
Move the slide so the "grommet" (center hole) is on a heavy line (like 100). Mark the wind speed upwards from the center (e.g., if wind is 20 knots, mark at 120) Set Course: Rotate the compass to your True Course Align TAS: Slide the card until your True Airspeed (TAS) arc is under your pencil mark Read Results: Ground Speed: Read the number under the center grommet 9° Right (Dot is to the right, meaning
Flight time = 3.5 hr, Burn rate = 12.5 GPH.
Slide the card to place the wind mark on your True Airspeed (TAS).
Locate 135 minutes on the inner time scale (or 2:15 on the hour scale). Read the total fuel burn on the outer scale. 18.9 Gallons. Verified Exercise 5: Endurance (Time Remaining)
Read the True Airspeed directly above it on the outer scale. 144 Knots E6B Quick Reference Check Matrix Exercise Type Input Values Core E6B Alignment Verified Result Speed 35 NM, 15 Min 35 (Outer) over 15 (Inner) 140 KT (at 60 Pointer) Time 115 KT, 78 NM 115 (Outer) over 60 Pointer 41 Min (under 78 Outer) Fuel 9.5 GPH, 140 Min 95 (Outer) over 60 Pointer 22.2 Gal (over 140 Inner) Wind 090∘090 raised to the composed with power TC, 120 TAS, 180∘180 raised to the composed with power Dot plotted at 180∘180 raised to the composed with power 100∘100 raised to the composed with power TH / 118 KT GS TAS +15∘Cpositive 15 raised to the composed with power C OAT, 130 IAS +15∘Cpositive 15 raised to the composed with power C over 6,000 ft window 144 KT TAS (over 130 Inner) If you want to practice more variations, tell me:
A rotating bezel and sliding grid used for solving wind triangle problems (calculating heading and groundspeed based on wind direction/velocity).