I'm interested in learning how to perform a true altitude calculation on a conventional calculator. The booklet that came with my CR-3 whizwheel calculator shows how to make the calculation on the wheel, but doesn't give the equation behind the magic. Any help?

Bob, I have been a private pilot since 1977 and for the longest time... way too long, I fought with the infamous WhizWheel as we all know it, but last year, I invested and I mean invested $69, did I say INVESTED... in a Sporty's E6B electronic flight computer. It has made life just so, so much easier and QUICKER. There are so many useful functions and it displays three time configurations, so you never have to figure out what Zulu time is again, it is always available on the Sporty's E6B. It is so small, it can mount on the yoke, velcro it to a kneeboard or just wear it in a holster on your waist. I almost never make suggestions to what people should or should not have, but I think every pilot should have an E6B in their flight bag. You can find the Sporty's E6B here. http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=19&Product_ID=225&CATID=93 and if that link does not work, just go to http://www.sportys.com and look for the E6B.
Take care... Happy Landings!

Lasvegan

Rob,

If you want to know the math behind it check out this page
http://www.best.com/~williams/avform.htm

Mike