E6B “Whiz Wheel” on Commercial Checkride
Posted by gwav8or@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 12 comments
Has anybody here been required to use the old analog E6B computer during their Commercial Checkride? Recently, like in the last 5 years or so. I haven’t used one of those in 20+ years but was recently encouraged to break it out for the Commercial Checkride. Just curious.
WhiteoutDota@reddit
Yes, some DPEs require it on initial CFI and initial CPL checkrides.
gwav8or@reddit (OP)
This blows my mind. Why in the world would they want you to use the old analog one instead of the handy electronic calculator? Seems wild.
JPInMontana@reddit
Here's a good compromise. Whip this one out on your iPad and see what they think. LOL. https://mediafiles.aero.und.edu/aero.und.edu/aviation/trainers/e6b/?q=sliderule
gwav8or@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I have an app similar to that. Would be hilarious to see the look on their face.
WhiteoutDota@reddit
Think about the average age for a DPE and see if that answers the question. Also, E6Bs are cool.
gwav8or@reddit (OP)
That probably hits the nail on the head.
jet-setting@reddit
I can’t speak to why, I have no idea.
But just as devil’s advocate, I can get most answers far easier and quicker using the whizz wheel than the electronic E6B.
spacecadet2399@reddit
Unless they've changed this, there's nothing requiring it in the ACS. If it's not in the ACS, they can't really ask you to do it. Or, I guess they can ask you, but you don't have to do it to pass.
If a DPE fails you for something that isn't in the ACS, go to the FSDO.
I put about 40 students through PPL with a variety of DPE's and none of them were even asked to use an E6B. We trained it as part of my flight school's syllabus, but we also trained NDB approaches and navigation and that's not an FAA requirement either, because it's not 1910 anymore.
taxcheat@reddit
Exactly. The ACS is explicit now.
You aren't required to use an abacus, sextant or slide rule. Whether your 90 year old DPE accepts the ACS is another issue.
mitch_kramer@reddit
I was never forced to use it but honestly it's not that hard to use and I found I could do things faster with the whiz wheel than with the electronic E6B if I was planning my whole cross country by hand back in the day. Though to be fair I didn't use the electronic one much.
CannonAFB_unofficial@reddit
I have like 69 from being a navigator, then pilot in the Air Force. You can borrow a few of mine to impress the DPE.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Has anybody here been required to use the old analog E6B computer during their Commercial Checkride? Recently, like in the last 5 years or so. I haven’t used one of those in 20+ years but was recently encouraged to break it out for the Commercial Checkride. Just curious.
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