Comment Re:Pilots know how to use slide rules. (Score 1) 388
It is harder to use an electronic E6-B calculator than a manual E6-B (whiz wheel). When I plan my cross-country flights, I only have to dial in the numbers on my whiz wheel once per ratio and then rotate the whiz wheel until I find the correct numbers for which I'm looking. With an electronic E6-B, I have to re-enter a formula every time. Besides, you aren't calculating fuel usage to the nearest hundredth of a gallon anyway, so why bother having all those numbers?
It helps that you have the formulas printed on your whiz wheel and your navigation log, and you are supposed to know from memory some formulas (mainly best rate of climb and pattern altitude--these help you determine top of climb, when to descend, etc.).
It's kind of like learning long division by hand before you use a calculator--you know how the formula works.
What's even harder is calculating wind triangles using a sectional, a ruler, and a piece of paper.
Robyn
Private pilot
Airplane single engine land
It helps that you have the formulas printed on your whiz wheel and your navigation log, and you are supposed to know from memory some formulas (mainly best rate of climb and pattern altitude--these help you determine top of climb, when to descend, etc.).
It's kind of like learning long division by hand before you use a calculator--you know how the formula works.
What's even harder is calculating wind triangles using a sectional, a ruler, and a piece of paper.
Robyn
Private pilot
Airplane single engine land
