Is it a foul to use an electronic E6B?

[Prino]

if you can fly an airplane you can figure out how to use the traditional e6b

 

[L-16B]

I have been looking everywhere but cannot find an answer. I know on the written exam you are allowed to use the electronic E6B, but what about during the practical? I ask this beause I have been hesitant to sit down and figure out the old skool "whiz wheel" and my instructor is none too happy about that. He mentions "what if your batteries die? Or what if it stops working?" and my response is something "well, what happens when the old skool one goes flying out the window" and that doesn't make him very happy. I understand the adage "cooperate and graduate" but to be totally honest, my plate is VERY full and I am not a very willing participant in figuring out a whiz-wheel. Has anyone had a practical where you were REQUIRED to use the whiz-wheel? I know I will get harrassed by some of you, I have heard it for years about our "electronic TOLD calcuations"....but I want to know what is required...

I wouldn't sweat bullets over it, if an examiner wants to be a dick, he can find something else to be a dick about. I haven't used a wiz wheel since i was 11 or 12 (used an electric ever since and have never been asked to use one on any checkride) , and now that I'm 25 I just bought a citizen knighthawk watch with a e6b on it and im totally having to relearn how to use it..... Or i just look in the fms and it tells me everything i need. anic:

 

[PGT]

I used the old fashioned because it's heck of a lot cheaper.

simple as that.

 

[tonyw]

I don't have a clue on how to use an mechanical E6B.

Telling you that you must know how to use one is like telling you you've got to use a slide rule in order to solve a math problem.

 

[bdhill1979]

If you follow the instruction and do all the problems in the ASA instruction manual (third one down) and still think an electronic is faster and easier, then have at it.

I already have enough crap that requires batteries.

 

[c172captain]

IMHO using the electric one instills laziness. It's like using GPS over an old-fashioned VOR/DME combo. I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I prefer to work harder so that when I truly do need it, I am ready and know what to do. I mean seriously, what if you're flying in the Bermuda Triangle and everything electrical/magnetized (your electric E6B included) goes nuts and becomes unreadable and you still needed to calculate your fuel burn to see if you'll make it shore. Thank god you knew how to use the mechanical one

 

[tpaRob]

if you can fly an airplane you can figure out how to use the traditional e6b

Kinda like.. if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

Here's an internet based E6B for when all else fails.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/e6bcalc.html

It's like using GPS over an old-fashioned VOR/DME combo.

Don't worry, those new fangled GPS thingy's will never catch on.
:yup::yup::yup:

 

[c172captain]

Don't worry, those new fangled GPS thingy's will never catch on.
:yup::yup::yup:

The VOR is the forefront of our technological advances! It is inconcievable to think that anything would even come close to it's capablities!:crazy:

 

[jwp_145]

I finally had to chime in.

Try bringing an electronic E6B with Tom Funk here in Phoenix. Yeah, he can't tell you NOT to use it, but when you get in the air on a flight test and it is turbulant, you have to use two hands on the thing if it is bumpy, and some things take forever to input on the electronic one. He'll then fail you for taking far too long with the calculations.

I use one for preflight planning with students, and then teach them the mechanical one for in the air. All of them prefer it that way now... eletronic on the ground, mechanical in the air. I let them try it both ways, and they agreed with me.

But the best question is this: What is your SCHOOL's policy. If you are going to an academy, and it is there policy you use it and learn the old school one, guess what? You don't have to use it. Just find another school.

I don't always agree with the "STUDENT IS THE CUSTOMER" thing. Yes, he is always the customer, and that means I treat him with respect. That DOES NOT MEAN HE DICTATES HIS TRAINING TO ME!!!!!!!

I told my students if they don't want to learn an old school E6B, that is their choice. However, they won't be getting any instruction form me.

Try telling a college you won't be taking CompII.

 

[Hacker15e]

When I was getting my PPL 12 or 13 years ago, I bought one of the ASA electronic E6Bs because, frankly, I was a little phobic of learning how to use the mechanical one. It was pretty intimidating looking.

Fact of the matter is that the mechanical E6B is SIMPLE to learn and, seriously, MUCH EASIER TO USE than the electronic calculator version.

In my view, it is really foolish to dig your heels in for the electronic version. It's just not a battle worth fighting. Your CFI or DE or whomever is against you using it probably has some experience with both types, and probably has a good reason for not wanting you to use the electonic one. Do you have a really good reason for not wanting to learn how to use the mechanical one?

Regardless, coy answers like "I'll just get out my spare batteries" just aren't in the spirit of what he is trying to teach you.

 

[Polar742]

OLD SCHOOL...

I never appreciated the quick and easy methods of the E6, or CR2 until it was almost too late.

The screen won't break, the batteries won't die, the circuit board won't break, and it's small to stow.

...but that's just me, and stuff I knew way back when....

 

[OldTownPilot]

those electronic whiz bang dohickes are far too complicated.

 

[taseal]

Whiz wheel will take you all but 2 minutes to learn. Have your CFI show you.

I never used an electronic E6-B. The whiz wheel is a lot quicker to use in the air if you need to re-figure fuel burn or time/distance calculations. You just spin the wheel, rather than typing out stuff in your electronic version.

Though there's nothing wrong with using the electronic one. And yeah you can use it on your checkride. And you can use it on your written.

But saying that your plate is "too full" to learn how to use something as easy as an e6-b is not a real excuse. You'll see why when you actually learn it. It's a great backup and every pilot should learn this somewhat rudimentary form of wind calculations and fuel burn.

I had an electronic E6B then it got submerged in mud so it went out of commission. since then i've been just using my whiz wheel. once u figure it out, its pretty simple.

 

[germb747]

To answer your question, the choice as to what kind of flight computer to use is "technique", it's not like being a C-5 FE where there's pretty much always a procedurally "right way" and a "wrong way" to do everything. But save that for once you're flying on your own ticket and learn how to use the mechanical E6B for now. The old-fashoned way (of navigation, flight planning, spagetti charts vs. electronic TOLD program, etc) helps instill principles, concepts, and relationships. Look at it from the CFI's point of view--What do you think of your students who try and argue with you about stuff like that? Drink the "kool aid", get your ticket, and then kick the instructor out and do it your way.

 

[HeyEng]

Very good discussion here, I do appreciate all the input. I have been digging throught the ASA manual and picking the numbers. It is a fairly easy thing to use, so for now I will use the manual one (in the plane anyway) and the electronic one for planning. I certainly understand the "cooperate and graduate" mentality and preach it myself to engineer students. As for the DPE I'll be using, I still need to get the gouge on his "methods". And that GPS thing?!? Man, that will never catch on...the ADF will live FOREVER!!!

And oh yes, I am NOT using an academy and yes, I AM the customer. If I really didn't like something that was/is being taught (not IAW the PTS for example) you're damn skippy I'm taking my business somewhere else. There are PLENTY of CFIs out there that will WILLINGING take my money. Now don't think that I'm going to fire my CFI over the use of electronic vs manual E6B, that's just silly!!!