E6B Flight Computer
Calculate time, speed, distance, fuel burn, and wind correction. Use the digital inputs below, or spin the interactive wheel on the right for dynamic visualization.
Pre-Flight Meteorological Briefings
Real-time weather verification is critical under CASA flight regulations before conducting E6B flight calculations. Verify local TAFs, METARs, wind profiles, and regional warnings on the official Bureau of Meteorology aviation services center.
Access BOM Aviation Weather Center ↗Drag the inner dial to rotate. As it spins, the time scale changes, instantly updating the digital calculations on the left in real-time.
Aviation Calculators & Flight Planning
The E6B flight computer, often called the "whiz wheel," remains an essential navigational tool for pilots in Australia and globally. Even in the era of GPS, understanding how to manually calculate true airspeed, ground speed, fuel burn, wind correction angle, and density altitude is fundamental for flight safety and passing your CASA exams.
Our interactive E6B emulator bridges the gap between traditional mechanical flight computers and modern digital accuracy. Whether you're flying a Cessna 172 out of Moorabbin or planning a cross-country route through the Outback, this tool provides instant, mathematically perfect answers to your pre-flight equations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate Density Altitude?
Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. As temperature and humidity increase, air density decreases, significantly reducing aircraft performance. Our calculator computes density altitude automatically by taking your Pressure Altitude (ft) and Outside Air Temperature (°C) and comparing it against the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA).
How do you calculate ground speed on an E6B?
To calculate ground speed on a mechanical E6B, align the distance flown on the outer scale with the time taken on the inner scale. Read the ground speed on the outer scale opposite the 60-minute (1 hour) index mark. Our digital tool simplifies this by allowing you to spin the time scale and instantly see the ground speed output on the dashboard.
How is fuel burn calculated using an E6B flight computer?
Align your aircraft's fuel consumption rate (gallons per hour or litres per hour) on the outer scale with the 60-minute index on the inner scale. Then, find your flight time on the inner scale; the value opposite it on the outer scale is your total fuel burn.
How do I find my Wind Correction Angle (WCA) and Magnetic Heading?
To determine your Magnetic Heading, you first need to calculate your Wind Correction Angle (WCA) using True Airspeed (TAS), True Course (TC), Wind Direction, and Wind Velocity. You apply the WCA to your True Course to get True Heading. Finally, you apply your local Magnetic Variation (subtract East, add West) to find your Magnetic Heading. Our calculator handles this entire trigonometric process instantly.