Each guide explains one calculation from first principles, works through an example by hand, and points out the errors that show up most often in training. They pair with the calculators on the home page, which show their formulas and intermediate values so you can check your own work.
Weight and Balance Calculation Guide
Weight, arm, and moment; finding the loaded CG; checking the envelope at takeoff and landing weight; and the mistakes that show up most often.
Related calculator: Weight & Balance
How to Calculate Density Altitude
Pressure altitude, ISA temperature, and the 120 ft per °C rule, with a worked example from a high-elevation California airport.
Related calculator: Pressure & Density Altitude
Crosswind Component Calculations
The sine/cosine method, the clock-face shortcut, gusts and variable winds, and choosing between runways.
Related calculator: Crosswind
VFR and IFR Fuel Planning
The Part 91 reserve rules, climb and taxi fuel, usable versus total fuel, and worked VFR and IFR examples.
Related calculator: Fuel Burn
Estimating Cloud Base from Temperature and Dewpoint
Where the 400 ft per °C rule comes from, AGL versus MSL, and when the estimate does not apply.
Related calculator: Cloud Base
Glide Distance and Glide Ratio
How far you can glide, why wind changes distance but not time, the effect of weight, and why real glides come up short.
Related calculator: Glide Distance
Top of Descent and Climb Gradients
The 3° rule of thumb, ft/NM to fpm conversions, crossing restrictions, and departure climb gradients.
Related calculator: Climb & Descent
Holding Pattern Entry Procedures
Direct, teardrop, and parallel entries, the AIM sector boundaries, and a step-by-step method for choosing one.
Related calculator: Holding Pattern Entry
True, Magnetic, and Compass Heading
Variation, deviation, "East is least, West is best," and which aviation sources use true versus magnetic.
Related calculator: True ↔ Magnetic
How to Read a METAR
Every group in a METAR decoded in plain English, including the remarks section.
Related calculator: METAR & TAF Decoder
E6B Basics: True Airspeed and Wind Correction
IAS, CAS, and TAS; the 2% rule versus the density method; and solving the wind triangle for heading and groundspeed.
Related calculator: E6B
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