How do I calculate the impact of the winds aloft in this test question? I was flying through this section in the ASA test prep book, I thought I had mastered this E6B.  But this has me stumped:


I can’t do the math to figure out how many knots I’ve traveled. But in the answer it has me plotting a course of 280 (100 + 180) from the departure point. I cannot figure out for the life of me where they got this course.
I see that the winds are from 100 in the winds aloft, but I can’t imagine how I get a 100+180 course from that.  I feel like I’ve missed some major concept.
First of all, make sure you’re only doing the questions that will actually be on the test you’re taking. This specific question is only for the LSL question bank, so unless that’s what you need, forget it and move on.
In a balloon, you will be carried by the winds aloft. If the wind is from 100@8, then your track will be to 280@8.
First, use your protractor to draw a track line on a track of 280 from the point of departure. This shows your balloon’s track over the ground.
Next, multiply 8 by the (decimal) number of hours you will be in the air, and then use your scale to mark that distance along the track line. That’s how far your balloon will have traveled at the specified time.
No need for an E6B here.