E6b Flight Computer Exercises

Scenario: You are flying HDG 315° at 110 knots TAS. You look down and see your ground track (Course Made Good) is 320°. Your groundspeed (from GPS or VOR timing) is 125 knots.

Exercise 4 – Find Time
Given: Distance = 120 NM, Groundspeed = 110 knots.
Find: Time en route (minutes).

Answer: 65.5 minutes (1 hr 5.5 min)

Exercise 5 – Find Distance
Given: Groundspeed = 95 knots, Time = 2 hours 15 minutes.
Find: Distance traveled.

Answer: 213.75 NM

Exercise 6 – Find Groundspeed
Given: Distance = 210 NM, Time = 1 hour 42 minutes.
Find: Groundspeed (knots).

Answer: 123.5 knots

To truly master these skills, do not just read the answers. Create a flashcard deck with variables. Here is a 15-minute daily drill: e6b flight computer exercises

Would you like a printable blank worksheet version of these exercises, or an answer sheet with step-by-step E6B dial movements?

The E6B flight computer, often called the "whiz wheel," is a manual circular slide rule used by pilots for flight planning and navigation. It consists of a Calculator Side for math problems and a Wind Side for vectoring. 🧭 Calculator Side Exercises

Use the circular scales. The outer scale (A) is for distance/fuel/speed. The inner scale (B) is for time. 1. Time, Speed, and Distance

Exercise A: You are flying at 120 knots. How long will it take to travel 45 nautical miles?

Step: Set the speed index (black triangle) to 12. Look at 45 on the outer scale. Answer: 22.5 minutes.

Exercise B: You travel 18 nautical miles in 9 minutes. What is your groundspeed?

Step: Align 18 (outer) over 9 (inner). Look at the speed index. Answer: 120 knots. 2. Fuel Consumption Scenario : You are flying HDG 315° at 110 knots TAS

Exercise A: Your engine burns 8.5 gallons per hour (GPH). How much fuel is used in 2 hours and 20 minutes?

Step: Set speed index to 8.5. Look at 140 minutes (2:20) on the inner scale. Answer: 19.8 gallons.

Exercise B: You have 35 gallons of usable fuel. Your burn rate is 11 GPH. How much endurance (time) do you have? Step: Set speed index to 11. Look at 35 on the outer scale. Answer: 3 hours and 11 minutes (191 mins). Wind Side Exercises

Use the sliding grid and the rotating azimuth to find your Wind Correction Angle (WCA) and Groundspeed (GS). 3. Wind Correction & Groundspeed Scenario: True Course (TC): 090° True Airspeed (TAS): 110 knots Wind: 180° at 20 knots Steps: Rotate the azimuth to wind direction (180°).

Slide the grommet (center hole) over a heavy line (e.g., 100). Mark a "wind dot" 20 units up from the grommet (at 120). Rotate azimuth to your course (090°).

Slide the grid until the wind dot is on your TAS line (110). Results: Groundspeed: Look under the center grommet. (~108 knots)

Wind Correction Angle: Note the dot's offset from the center line. (10° Right) True Heading (TH): TC + WCA = 100° 🌡️ Conversions & Altitudes Answer : Wind = Approximately 275° at 22 knots

Small windows and scales allow for environmental corrections. 4. True Airspeed (TAS)

Exercise: You are at 8,500 ft Pressure Altitude. Outside Air Temperature (OAT) is +10°C. Indicated Airspeed (IAS) is 105 knots.

Step: In the "Pressure Alt" window, align 8.5 with +10°C. Look at 105 on the inner scale; read TAS on the outer scale. Answer: ~122 knots TAS. 5. Unit Conversions Exercise: Convert 50 US Gallons to Liters.

Step: Find the "US GAL" and "LITERS" arrows on the outer scale. Align "50" under the US GAL arrow. Answer: ~189 Liters. 💡 Practice Tips

Check the Units: Ensure you aren't confusing Gallons with Pounds or Nautical Miles with Statute Miles.

Sanity Check: If you have a headwind, your Groundspeed must be lower than your Airspeed. If it's higher, you likely plotted the wind backwards.

Pencil Matters: Use a fine-point pencil or a specialized E6B pen for the wind side to keep marks precise.

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.