T H E  T H R I L L  O F  T W I N  E N G I N E  F L I G H T !

 

For many pilots the twin engine rating opens doors to a previously undiscovered side of aviation. The addition of a second engine allows a pilot to enter instrument conditions and to fly at night with extra confidence. This sense of security does not just come from having an extra power plant, but also from having two standard alternators, which are often unavailable on many singles.

 

In case of a power-plant emergency, even entry level twin engine aircraft can either hold altitude or maintain a slow and gentle descent on one engine, allowing it to divert to a suitable airport, even when loaded on a hot day.  These praises having been made, multi-engine flying is more demanding, and in order to be safe, pilots need to be properly trained and committed to staying proficient.

 

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                     M U L T I  P R I V A T E  &  C O M M E R C I A L

 

Multiengine training focuses on managing the airplane with one engine simulated to be inoperative.  A candidate who is single-engine proficient with good study habits can reasonably expect to be signed off for the add on rating exam in about 10 hours, or another two hours for a multi commercial add on with instrument privileges.  An instrument commercial add on will require the ability to demonstrate a single-engine instrument approach during the flight test.

 

Not withstanding the instrument qualification, the length and cost of the multi-commercial depends on whether or not it is an initial commercial or an add on rating.

 

An initial multi-engine commercial requires several hours of night and cross country time building, bringing the total to around 20 hours. After the initial commercial has been passed on a multi-engine, the single engine add on can be taken in a much lower cost fixed gear, fixed pitch propeller single engine trainer.

 

INITIAL MULTI, with COMMERCIAL & INSTRUMENT ADD ON - ESTIMATE:

Flight Time - Twin Comanche - 10 hrs,    Instruction - 20 hrs    Exam Rental - 2.5 hours

 

INITIAL COMMERCIAL & MULTIENGINE with INSTRUMENT ADD ON - ESTIMATE:

Flight Time - Twin Comanche - 20 hrs     Instruction - 30 hrs    Exam Rental - 2.5 hours

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                    M U L T I  E N G I N E   I N S T R U C T O R

 

The MEI check ride is very similar to the multi-commercial check ride but flown while explaining from the right seat. 15 hours of Multiengine Pilot in Command time must be obtained before the test is taken. The training time counts towards the 15 hour requirement. There is no instrument component to this check ride. If performing an initial instructor rating, ground training will total around 20 hours and most of the 15 hour PIC requirement can be expected to be used up by the initial MEI flight training.

 

As with the commercial, after completion of an initial multiengine license, the CFI add on can be performed in a basic fixed gear, fixed pitch single engine trainer.

 

ADD ON MULTI-ENGINE INSTRUCTOR ESTIMATE:

Flight Time - Twin Comanche - 7 hrs       Instruction - 15 hrs     Exam Rental - 2.5 hours

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