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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 1:05 pm
by bornstephen
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Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 1:24 pm
by Warmi
I had maybe one or two but was able to answer both by doing simple math in my head - so there was no need for E6B in my case at all.

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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 1:32 pm
by bornstephen
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Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 2:32 pm
by Warmi
It is - the only solution is like with everything, you need to keep using this tool frequently and for a long time to become fast and proficient in finding and converting various quantities - otherwise, you will end up spending 10 times as much time trying to dig thru the manual on how to convert X to Y.

This was quite powerful tool for its time - which was almost a century ago but , given today's standards, it is really cumbersome and non-intuitive ( or I should rather say it is as intuitive as such primitive computer can be )

You will need to make a personal choice on this matter - my choice was not to bother, I don't plan to use that thing ever again. If I end up without power and without any other options ( say all my GPS and other aids go down ) I will consider this an emergency like situation and land at the first airport using basic pilotage skills. IMHO the tool is pretty much useless in the air in a small plane ( it is imho safer to get on the ground, rather than trying to plot new course and use the tool up there in the air.) and on the ground it is irrelevant so my choice was not to bother.
Yours may be different.

Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 2:34 pm
by Warmi
Warmi wrote:It is - the only solution is like with everything, you need to keep using this tool frequently and for a long time to become fast and proficient in finding and converting various quantities - otherwise, you will end up spending 10 times as much time trying to dig thru the manual on how to convert X to Y.

This was quite powerful tool for its time - which was almost a century ago but , given today's standards, it is really cumbersome and non-intuitive ( or I should rather say it is as intuitive as such primitive computer can be )

You will need to make a personal choice on this matter - my choice was not to bother, I don't plan to use that thing ever again. If I end up without electrical power and without any other options ( say all my GPS and other aids go down ) I will consider this an emergency like situation and land at the first airport using basic pilotage skills. IMHO the tool is pretty much useless in the air in a small plane ( it is imho safer to get on the ground, rather than trying to plot new course and use the tool up there in the air.) and on the ground it is irrelevant so my choice was not to bother.
Yours may be different.

Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 2:41 pm
by 3Dreaming
Warmi wrote:It is - the only solution is like with everything, you need to keep using this tool frequently and for a long time to become fast and proficient in finding and converting various quantities - otherwise, you will end up spending 10 times as much time trying to dig thru the manual on how to convert X to Y.

This was quite powerful tool for its time - which was almost a century ago but , given today's standards, it is really cumbersome and non-intuitive ( or I should rather say it is as intuitive as such primitive computer can be )

You will need to make a personal choice on this matter - my choice was not to bother, I don't plan to use that thing ever again. If I end up without power and without any other options ( say all my GPS and other aids go down ) I will consider this an emergency like situation and land at the first airport using basic pilotage skills. IMHO the tool is pretty much useless in the air in a small plane ( it is imho safer to get on the ground, rather than trying to plot new course and use the tool up there in the air.) and on the ground it is irrelevant so my choice was not to bother.
Yours may be different.
I don't know if you have taken your checkride yet, but if not I hope the examiner agrees with you philosophy. I know the examiner I use does not, I just had a sport pilot student take and pass his checkride this week. He needed the manual E6B for the checkride.

Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 3:46 pm
by Warmi
I can use E6B ... I know what it can do and how it can help - I just need to consult instructions when I use it for most functions.

Think of analog computers and various abacus like tools - do we require every lab and scientist to become proficient with these ancient tools in case power goes down so they can stay productive or do we assume that we would rather wait for power being restored instead ?
I don't need to fly military or even commercial missions and I can afford to ground myself and my plane if my usual tools like GPS become ineffective.

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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:10 pm
by bornstephen
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Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:13 pm
by foresterpoole
It's always nice to know how to use a manual one (I have an E6B). I have an ASA CX-2 for use in flight and I used it on the written test, also an android tablet, and cell phone. That's on top of the G430W and Garmin moving map touchscreen with XM weather and safetaxi in the plane I rent. Not that this should take the place of knowing basic aviation calculations and pilotage, but it takes me much longer to use the "whiz wheel" than to use any one of those other applications. Ex. today I flew on a short cross country (100 miles) and used the tried and true method of following the interstate to my destination, worked great. On the way back I used my nav-log and CX-2 just to double check my numbers and GPS. I'm not a fan of the whiz wheel, by using the electronics I am able to keep my head up, flying strait and level. I've found using the E6B I'm fumbling around with it more than I am looking outside. To be perfectly clear: I'm not discounting the E6B and it's good to know how to use it, just safer for me flying VFR if I keep my head outside the cockpit as much as possible.

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Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:29 pm
by bornstephen
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Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:19 pm
by TimTaylor
Using an E6B is very simple. You should be able to learn everything in one evening sitting in your lounge chair. If there are questions on the written dealing with an E6B, it would be foolish not to learn to use it. Once you pass your check ride, you can throw it away. I haven't used one in probably 40 years.

Re: E6B

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:13 pm
by HAPPYDAN
I have taken the Sport Pilot Knowledge test twice, most recently in September. I didn't need or use it at all. D=VT (TFC=CRxT) is all I ever saw on either test, and a stubby pencil or pocket calculator worked just fine. It is fun to use it for flight planning and filling in the Nav Log, and online aps are faster and more accurate, but either method is based on wind and temperature data which may not be all that accurate. If all else fails, use IFR (I Follow Roads). Good Luck!