E6b | Flight Computer Exercises

Fuel burn calculations work exactly like speed calculations. Match the Speed Index (60) to your fuel burn rate in gallons per hour (GPH). The outer scale becomes total gallons, and the inner scale remains time.

Whether you use a manual "whiz wheel" or an electronic version, the underlying principles remain the same. The E6B is more than an exam requirement—it's a reliable backup that never runs out of batteries and serves as a reminder that understanding your calculations matters more than just getting a number. Pick up your E6B, work through these exercises, and build a skill that will serve you throughout your flying career.

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

Before diving into the exercises, let’s address the elephant in the cockpit: foreflight and GPS. If your iPad overheats, dies, or tumbles out the window, your manual E6B (and the skills honed by these exercises) becomes your lifeline. Furthermore, physically manipulating the wheel builds an intuitive understanding of relationships (e.g., how a 10-knot headwind affects groundspeed) that apps obscure. These are brain training for the sky. e6b flight computer exercises

Density altitude directly affects aircraft performance—takeoff distance, climb rate, and engine output. High density altitude means reduced performance.

You are cruising at a groundspeed of 115 knots. The distance to your next checkpoint is 42 nautical miles (NM). How long will it take to reach the checkpoint?

True heading 135° results in ground track 130°. TAS 135 knots gives groundspeed 140 knots. Determine actual wind. Step-by-Step: Fuel burn calculations work exactly like speed calculations

Uses concentric logarithmic scales (Outer 'A' scale and Inner 'B' and 'C' scales) to solve multiplication, division, and proportion problems.

Given: True course (TC) = 100°, TAS = 110 kt, Wind = 050° at 25 kt. Find: Wind correction angle (WCA) and true heading (TH).

Before diving into exercises, it helps to understand the E6B's primary functions. The manual E6B flight computer is essentially a circular slide rule on one side and a wind triangle solver on the other. However, electronic E6B calculators have also become popular for their intuitive operation and precise results. Regardless of which version you choose, the key is consistent practice. Whether you use a manual "whiz wheel" or

Ensure you aren't confusing Gallons with Pounds or Nautical Miles with Statute Miles.

Distinguish between "wind direction" (where the wind comes from) and "course" or "heading." Mark the wind dot correctly based on the true index.

Mastering the E6B flight computer is more than just a requirement for your pilot checkride; it is an exercise in developing precision, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the forces that govern your flight. Whether you prefer the tactile feedback of a manual "whiz wheel" or the efficiency of an electronic calculator, the key to proficiency is consistent practice. By working through these exercises, exploring digital tools, and continually challenging yourself with new scenarios, you will transform the E6B from a confusing gadget into an essential and trusted part of your pilot's toolkit.

This practice test reflects the style and difficulty of questions found in official FAA knowledge exams. You can use either a manual E6B (like those used by flight teams) or an electronic E6B.

Align the 60-minute index triangle with 112 (11.2) on the outer scale. Locate 36 on the outer scale. Read the time on the inner scale directly below 36. 193 minutes (3 hours and 13 minutes). Section 3: Altitude and Airspeed Corrections