E6B - The uncomputer

I call it the pilot's magic wand...in the UK pilots refer to it as the whiz wheel. Many also call it the flight computer but it definitely does not resemble any PC, Apple or BB I've ever seen.

Regardless, it's a brilliant tool, and every pilot will need to know how to use it. Developed by US Naval Lt. Philip Dalton in the late 1930s, this small set of wheels is used during flight planning on the ground and air to help you calculate:

• wind corrections
• time en route
• fuel burn
• ground speed
• nautical to statute mile conversions
• quantity weight conversions
• crosswind tables
• and more...

At first, the plethora of information that appears on these wheels is overwhelming hence this post. You will find electronic tools as well but I recommend you learn to use the low tech version as you don't want to run out of battery life during flight...

So here are the resources:

• E6B Flight computer instructions
• Some history from Wikipedia
• How to Use a Graphic Flight Computer to Find Ground Speed and True Heading
• Online E6B simulator
• Online E6B Emulator
  

Youtube intro - don't mind the moderator's accent, I still think this is the best intro I have seen so far...Make sure to look at related videos. There is a set of 26 videos of 5 minutes each.

I almost forgot...Where to order? Try here.