Make Friends With the E6B

Whether the mechanical version, the electronic version, or the app, it can give you important help when you need it.

Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 08:24 AM ET

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The ability to use a mechanical E6B flight computer is the 'cursive writing' of the aviation world—but it should be part of every pilot’s repertoire. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The mechanical E6B, a traditional flight computer likened to "cursive writing" in aviation, is being supplanted by more precise electronic E6Bs and convenient apps, though it remains a viable and educational tool.
While modern electronic tools offer efficiency, the article stresses the critical importance of learning fundamental flight planning skills with traditional methods like the mechanical E6B.
Over-reliance on apps without understanding basic calculations and pilotage can hinder the development of essential cross-country navigation skills, making manual methods crucial for backup and robust aviation proficiency.

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The ability to use a mechanical E6B flight computer—a form of a circular slide rule that helps calculate things like fuel burn, wind correction, and time en route—is the “cursive writing” of the aviation world. Once taught in every flight school and used in every cockpit, it is increasingly rare as other technologies—apps and the electronic flight computer—have replaced it. Some people might argue that the mechanical E6B “flight confuser” is old technology and should be retired. However, it still works for solving performance questions, and there are still pilots who prefer it.

I own both mechanical and electronic E6B flight computers. And, I teach both because as long as they are both used in the aviation world, it is my responsibility to show them to learners.