Originally Posted by astrohog

I admit, when I was first introduced to the E6B in my "ground school" class, I was intimidated. Turns out, it is not as intimidating as it looks and is very easy to use. By learning to use the E6B, I believe I really learned and understood what I was doing and had a better understanding of all the variables involved.

And the best part is if the batteries go dead on an E6B, you have much bigger problems than figuring out crosswind correction or leg time!

Just like the calculator scenario posed above, once one actually LEARNS and UNDERSTANDS the theories and can prove proficiency in using them does the electronic calculator or computer become beneficial. If you are only taught what buttons to push in order to get the desired outcome, it will be difficult to actually use in real-life scenarios.

Exactly. It was usually an uphill battle at first, but most of my students actually came back to me years later and thanked me for a lot of things, including understanding the basics and not leaning too much on the technology.

Problem today is that those who CAN'T comprehend these concepts just claim some sort of learning disability, or cry foul, saying that it isn't FAIR that SOME "get it" and others don't, somehow forcing the curriculum to be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator (PUN INTENDED!).

And luckily in my case, my bosses supported me when, on the rare occasion I had to tell a student that maybe this flying thing was not something they should do.

Astro