Verified — E6b Flight Computer Exercises

1. Wind Correction & Ground Speed

Exercise 1.1

  • True Course (TC): 120°
  • True Airspeed (TAS): 110 kt
  • Wind: 040° at 25 kt
  • Find: Wind Correction Angle (WCA), True Heading (TH), Ground Speed (GS)

Solution (E6B slide rule method):

  1. Set wind direction (040°) under true index.
  2. Mark wind velocity (25 kt) up from center.
  3. Rotate to TC (120°) under true index.
  4. Slide so TAS (110) under grommet.
  5. Read WCA: ~+12° (right correction).
  6. Read GS: ~101 kt.

Verified answers:

  • WCA = 12° right
  • TH = 132°
  • GS = 101 kt

Exercise 1.2

  • TC: 270°
  • TAS: 150 kt
  • Wind: 200° at 30 kt
  • Find: WCA, TH, GS

Solution steps:
Wind from 200° (blowing to 020°). On E6B:

  • WCA ≈ 10° left
  • GS ≈ 136 kt

Verified:

  • TH = 260°
  • GS = 136 kt
  • WCA = 10° L

Exercise 1.1 – Finding Time En Route

Problem: Your true airspeed (TAS) is 115 knots. The distance to the destination is 287 nautical miles. How many hours and minutes will the leg take?

Solution Methodology (Manual E6B):

  1. Rotate the inner scale so that the index (60) aligns with 115 on the outer scale.
  2. Find 287 on the outer scale.
  3. Read the corresponding number on the inner scale.
  4. Outer scale = distance (287 NM), Inner scale = time in minutes.

Verified Answer: 149.7 minutes → 2 hours 30 minutes (2:30). e6b flight computer exercises verified

Verification Check: 115 knots = 1.9167 NM/minute. 287 ÷ 1.9167 = 149.7 mins.

1. Basic Rules for Verified Solutions

To ensure your E6B results are accurate:

  • Always check the “10” index (the large triangle or diamond on the inner scale) – it often represents 10, 100, 1000.
  • Use the correct window:
    • Rate window (triangular cutout) → for speed, distance, time.
    • Temperature/pressure window → for density altitude, true airspeed (TAS).
  • Round conservatively – FAA answers are within ±2% usually.

The "Verified" Guide to E6B Flight Computer Exercises

The E6B is two tools in one: a calculator (slide rule face) and a vector plotter (wind side). Most errors occur not because the math is hard, but because the setup is wrong.

Use this guide to perform the exercise, then use the "Verification Step" to confirm your answer is correct.

Exercise 3: The Wind Triangle

Problem:

  • True Course (TC): 270° (West)
  • True Airspeed (TAS): 150 knots
  • Winds: 330° at 20 knots

The Steps:

  1. Set the Wind Direction: Rotate the transparent plotting disc until the wind direction (330°) aligns with the "True Index" arrow at the top.
  2. Mark the Wind:
    • Find the center grommet (the hole). This represents zero wind.
    • Move your pencil up from the grommet to represent wind speed. Since the wind is 20 knots, count 20 units up (usually the grid lines are 2 units each, so count 10 lines up).
    • Make a Dot or X at this location. This is the Wind Vector.
    • (Verification: You are marking the direction the wind is coming FROM. 330 is NNW. Your dot should be slightly to the left of the center vertical line, near the top).
  3. Set the Course: Rotate the disc until your True Course (270°) sits under the True Index arrow.
  4. Slide the TAS: Slide the ruler vertically until your True Airspeed (150) sits directly under the Center Grommet.
  5. Read the Result:
    • Wind Correction Angle (WCA): Look at your Wind Dot. Is it to the left or right of the center vertical

Mastering the E6B "Whiz Wheel" is all about getting "reps" in for the three main types of problems: Calculator Side (Speed/Time/Distance), Wind Side (Heading/Groundspeed), and Conversions/Altitudes.

Below are verified practice exercises and resources to help you sharpen your skills. 🧭 Wind Side Exercises (Heading & Groundspeed) True Course (TC): 120° True Airspeed (TAS): 110

These problems are essential for flight planning and the FAA Knowledge Test. Use the "Wind Side" of your E6B to solve for Groundspeed (GS) and Wind Correction Angle (WCA). True Course Wind (Dir @ Speed) True Airspeed (TAS) Solution (GS / WCA) 240° @ 20 kts 94 kts / -10° 240° @ 30 kts 120 kts 060° @ 30 kts 140 kts / 0° (Direct Tail) 210° @ 15 kts Verify on Flight Apprentice 🔢 Calculator Side Exercises (Time & Fuel)

The calculator side uses a "60 to 1" ratio (60 minutes in an hour) to solve rate problems.

Time En Route: If your Groundspeed is 150 kts and the distance is 245 NM, set the "Rate Arrow" (60) to 150. Look at 24.5 on the outer scale. Verified Result: 1 hour and 38 minutes.

Fuel Endurance: Your plane burns 6.2 gal/hr and has 38 gallons usable. Set the Rate Arrow to 6.2. Look at 38 on the outer scale. Verified Result: 6 hours and 8 minutes.

Density Altitude: Given Pressure Altitude 3,000' and OAT 10°C. Verified Result: 3,100'. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Training Resources

If you need to verify your physical movements on the wheel, these interactive tools provide real-time feedback:

The Ultimate E6B Quiz - Calculating Time, Speed, and Distance

E6B Flight Computer Exercises: A Verified Guide to Mastering Aviation Calculations Solution (E6B slide rule method):

The E6B flight computer is an essential tool for pilots, providing a comprehensive and efficient means of performing various calculations related to flight planning, navigation, and performance. To become proficient in using this instrument, pilots must practice and verify their skills through a series of exercises. In this feature, we will provide a verified guide to mastering E6B flight computer exercises, ensuring that pilots can accurately and confidently perform critical calculations.

Understanding the E6B Flight Computer

The E6B flight computer is a circular slide rule designed to perform a wide range of calculations, including:

  1. Time, Speed, and Distance: Calculating flight times, speeds, and distances.
  2. Fuel Consumption: Determining fuel consumption and range.
  3. Climb and Descent Rates: Calculating rates of climb and descent.
  4. Wind Correction: Computing wind correction angles and drift.
  5. Navigation: Performing calculations for navigation, including triangulation and intersection.

E6B Flight Computer Exercises

To master the E6B flight computer, pilots should practice the following exercises:

Exercise 2.1 – Gallons per Hour

Problem:
Burn 36 gallons in 4 hours. GPH?

Steps:

  1. Set 36 on outer scale over 4 hours (inner scale, but convert 4:00 = 240 min? Wait – careful: For fuel rate, treat hours on inner scale as hours directly if using 1-hour index. Easier: Place 36 over 4 (inner). Read GPH at the “1” (or 10) index on inner scale.
    Better E6B method:
    Set 36 outer over 4 inner (hours). Read outer over inner 1 hour index (arrow at 60 min if minutes scale, but for hours use 1 on inner).
    Actually: Align 36 outer with 4 inner (hours). Over the “1” (1 hr) on inner, outer reads 9.

Verified answer: 9 GPH

Common Mistakes That Verification Catches

  • Mixing minutes and hours – The E6B works entirely in minutes when using the index. Never input “1.5 hours” directly; always use 90 minutes.
  • Wind side misreading – Forgetting to move the disk to align TC after marking the wind dot. This is the #1 verified error.
  • Density altitude window – Using degrees Fahrenheit instead of Celsius. Always convert: (°F – 32) × 5/9 = °C.
  • Fuel reserve omission – Many students compute trip fuel but forget the 45-minute reserve required for VFR day.