Math at work · aviation, worked out

The Flight Computer

The math on a pilot’s E6B, one step at a time: wind correction and ground speed, crosswind components, time, distance and fuel, pressure and density altitude, true airspeed, true to magnetic to compass, top of descent, weight and balance, turns and glide, METAR and TAF weather reports decoded, and winds aloft. The trig behind the wind triangle is on the Unit Circle, plain unit changes on the Measuring Tape.

For learning only. This page is for studying and for checking homework and ground-school work — not for planning a real flight. Use official weather, charts and flight-planning tools, and the numbers in your aircraft’s POH (Pilot’s Operating Handbook). The Weather and Winds aloft tabs are for learning to read reports and forecasts: before a real flight, get an official weather briefing (in the US, from Flight Service at 1800wxbrief.com).

Lessons wind correction angle crosswind component density altitude weight and balance all Math at work lessons

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    Rules of thumb are named where they are used, with the exact formula alongside.