Using the E6B

Question 1

What is the E6B Flight Computer?

Answer 1

A manual, circular slide-rule-like device used for solving flight-related problems such as speed, time, distance, fuel consumption, wind correction, and density altitude.

Question 2

What are the advantages of using an E6B?

Answer 2

Requires no batteries.
Durable and shock-resistant.
Cost-effective compared to electronic versions.
Useful for quick calculations in-flight.

Question 3

What are the common uses of an E6B?

Answer 3

Speed, time, and distance calculations.
Fuel flow and consumption.
Density altitude determination.
True airspeed calculations.
Unit conversions (e.g., nautical to statute miles).
Wind correction angle and ground speed.

Question 4

What is the A Scale on the E6B?

Answer 4

The outer scale, used to represent measurable quantities like nautical miles, gallons, or fuel.

Question 5

What is the B Scale on the E6B?

Answer 5

The middle scale, used to represent time, typically in minutes.

Question 6

What is the C Scale on the E6B?

Answer 6

The inner scale, used to represent hours and minutes.

Question 7

What is the Rate Arrow on the E6B?

Answer 7

An arrow usually marked ‘60,’ used to represent rates (e.g., speed as distance/time).

Question 8

What is the ‘floating decimal’ on the E6B?

Answer 8

A feature where numbers can represent different magnitudes (e.g., 10 = 10, 1.0, or 100). Estimation is needed to determine the correct value based on the problem context.

Question 9

How does the E6B solve for rate, time, and distance?

Answer 9

If two variables are known, the E6B can calculate the third. Start by setting the rate arrow to the known rate, then align distance and time scales.

Question 10

How do you calculate time if speed and distance are known?

Answer 10

Set the rate arrow to the speed.
Align the distance on the A scale with the time on the B scale.
Read the result on the inner scale.

Question 11

How do you calculate distance if speed and time are known?

Answer 11

Set the rate arrow to the speed.
Align the time on the B scale.
Read the distance on the A scale.

Question 12

How do you calculate speed if time and distance are known?

Answer 12

Align the distance on the A scale with the time on the B scale.
Find the speed under the rate arrow.

Question 13

How do you calculate flight time if fuel flow and available fuel are known?

Answer 13

Set the rate arrow to the fuel flow rate.
Align the fuel quantity on the A scale.
Read the flight time on the B scale.

Question 14

How do you calculate fuel burned for a given time?

Answer 14

Set the rate arrow to the fuel flow rate.
Align the time on the B scale.
Read the fuel burned on the A scale.

Question 15

How do you calculate density altitude with an E6B?

Answer 15

Align the pressure altitude (e.g., 5,000 feet) with the temperature (e.g., 30°C).
Read the density altitude in the designated window (e.g., 7,800 feet).

Question 16

What is unique about the E6B’s temperature scale?

Answer 16

The temperature scale is reversed, with negative values on the right and positive values on the left.

Question 17

How do you calculate true airspeed using an E6B?

Answer 17

Align the pressure altitude with the temperature.
Align the calibrated airspeed on the inner scale.
Read the true airspeed on the outer scale.

Question 18

How do you program the wind on the E6B and then calculate WCA and groundspeed?

Answer 18

Rotate the wind disc to the true wind heading.
Place the grommet on a heavy arc.
Count up the reported wind speed from the grommet and mark the wind dot.
THEN
Rotate the disc to align the desired course under the true index.
Slide the rectangular scale until the wind dot aligns with the arc representing true airspeed.
Read ground speed under the grommet and wind correction angle as the deviation of the wind dot from the centerline.

Question 19

What does the river example teach about wind correction?

Answer 19

Without correction, like a boat pointed straight across a river, wind (or current) will push the aircraft off course.
Adjusting the heading into the wind ensures the desired course over the ground matches the planned path.

Question 20

How do you convert nautical miles to statute miles on an E6B?

Answer 20

Align the ‘knots’ arrow with the given nautical miles.
Read the corresponding statute miles under the opposite arrow.

Question 21

How do you determine actual winds aloft using the E6B?

Answer 21

Set the actual course on the true index.
Align the ground speed under the grommet.
Rotate the wind dot to the centerline and read the wind direction under the true index and wind speed from the grommet to the wind dot.

Question 22

How does a headwind affect flight?

Answer 22

A headwind reduces an aircraft’s ground speed, increasing the time required to reach a destination. This also results in higher fuel consumption for the same distance.

Question 23

How does a tailwind affect flight?

Answer 23

A tailwind increases an aircraft’s ground speed, reducing the time required to reach a destination and improving fuel efficiency.

Question 24

How does a crosswind affect flight?

Answer 24

A crosswind causes lateral drift, requiring the pilot to adjust the heading into the wind (wind correction angle) to maintain the desired course.

Question 25

What is the difference between course and heading?

Answer 25

Course: The intended path over the ground.
Heading: The direction the aircraft’s nose points to compensate for wind and maintain the course.

Question 26

What is the wind correction angle (WCA)?

Answer 26

The angle adjustment made to an aircraft’s heading to counteract the effects of wind and maintain the desired course.

Question 27

What is the difference between true airspeed (TAS) and calibrated airspeed (CAS)?

Answer 27

TAS: CAS corrected for non-standard pressure and temperature. It represents the actual speed through the air.
CAS: Indicated airspeed corrected for errors in the instrument and pitot-static system.

Question 28

What is the conversion between statute miles and nautical miles?

Answer 28

1 nautical mile = 1.15 statute miles. For example, 44 knots = 50.5 statute miles/hour.

Question 29

Why do we need to know density altitude?

Answer 29

Density altitude impacts aircraft performance. High density altitude reduces performance, making it critical to calculate for safe flight planning.