Whiz Wheel: The E6B Flight Computer

Welcome to the Whiz Wheel: E6B Course!  This little gadget has intimidated pilots of all levels since it came into existence. In order to help you better understand how to use the E6B, we’re going to first introduce some of the most basic flight computer functions. Check out the video above!

One of the most common tasks during FAA Written Exams (and also on in the airplane on checkride day) is to find out your estimated speed, fuel burn, and distance covered.  This lesson will focus on how to use the flight computer to accomplish those tasks.

Knowing how to use the E6-B to do conversions is a fun skill to have.  Whereas it isn’t going to be the primary use of your E6-B in flight, it may be a useful shortcut for quick math when your iPad runs out of battery.

In this lesson you’ll be using the whiz wheel to correct airspeed and altitude for different atmospheric conditions. These functions on the E6-B are used all the time!  From preparing a NavLog to determining your true airspeed while en route, you’ll get a chance to practice these calculations more than once. 

The whiz wheel does a lot of things, and you are not going to use them all every day.  That said, some of the lesser known E6-B functions are tools that could make flying a whole lot easier.  You’ll learn in this lesson how you can use the E6-B’s hidden functions to enhance your flying and problem solving skills.

If you’re learning about how to make NavLogs in ground school, this is something you will become thoroughly familiar with.  Not only is being able to use the wind correction side of the E6B a necessary skill for flight planning but you will also need to be familiar with how to use it for the FAA written as well.

Prove your mastery of the whiz wheel by passing this 5 question quiz!  These questions combine different E6-B skills so remember all the cool things you can do with the whiz wheel!