The E6B flight computer remains a cornerstone of pilot training. Even in an era dominated by digital flight bags (EFBs) and GPS, mastering this manual tool is essential for passing FAA knowledge exams and ensuring cockpit redundancy.
You are flying a leg of 90 nautical miles. You estimate this leg will take 40 minutes. What is your Ground Speed (GS)?
: Align the TC and apply the wind vector to find how many degrees left or right to steer. Result : The pilot determines a WCA of +5∘positive 5 raised to the composed with power , resulting in a True Heading (TH) of 095∘095 raised to the composed with power to stay on course. Final Verification
under the "True Index." Mark the wind speed (15 knots) up from the center grommet. Rotate the disk to put (True Course) under the index. Slide the card until the wind mark rests on the speed line. Groundspeed under the center grommet. Verified Answer: ~117 knots. Flight Training Central Practice Resources e6b flight computer exercises verified
The dot is to the left of the center line (a left wind correction), showing a WCA of approx. -9° or -10°. GS: The dot is on the 113-knot line. Verified Answer: True Heading (TH): (approx). Groundspeed (GS): ~113 knots. Exercise 4: Complex Wind Correction Scenario: True Course (TC): 178° Wind Direction: 315° Wind Velocity: 35 knots True Airspeed (TAS): 150 knots Steps: Set wind direction (315) under the True Index. Mark 35 knots up from the center. Set TC (178) under the True Index. Slide mark to 150 knots (TAS). Verified Answer: Heading: 189°. Groundspeed: 127 knots. Part 3: Density Altitude and TAS
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?
You fly 84 nautical miles (NM) in 28 minutes. What is your ground speed (GS)? The E6B flight computer remains a cornerstone of
✅ 28 ÷ 9.5 = 2.947 hrs × 60 = 176.8 min.
Determine wind correction angle (WCA), true heading (TH), and groundspeed (GS). True course (TC) is 027°, true airspeed (TAS) is 93 knots, and winds aloft are from 190° at 14 knots.
This article provides for the E6B. These are standard problems with known solutions that you can use to confirm your device is calibrated correctly and your technique is sound. If you can solve these, your mechanical flight planning is flight-ready. You estimate this leg will take 40 minutes
Use an electronic E6B app to check your manual calculations. Some apps even have a "practice mode" that can generate random, verified problems.
Rotate the bezel to place your True Course (090°) under the True Index.
Read the value on the outer scale directly above the 60 pointer. 140 Knots Exercise 2: Finding Time En Route
Finding how long it takes to travel a certain distance at a specific speed.