Handy Calculations While Flying

If we wish to navigate through space with a level of precision, it is necessary to determine numbers such as: Top of Descent, Required Rate of Descent, and other information we usually have to look up or plug into our EFB or E6B.

For some situations a “That-Looks-About-Right” calculation will help to determine if our decision process is on the right track or needs further scrutiny for safety or regulatory compliance.

For example, if you’re at the airport and would like to get an idea how strong the wind is, a wind of 8-10 knots will register with the windsock pointing at 45 degrees from horizo...