Summer Flying Series – Density Altitude
Density Altitude and Aircraft Performance form one of the most misunderstood yet critical relationships in general aviation. When temperatures rise, humidity increases, and pressure drops, the air a pilot flies through changes in ways that are neither visible nor intuitive — but the consequences can be dramatic. High density altitude quietly reduces lift, weakens thrust, […]
Things I Will Not Do in Multi-Engine Training
Multi-Engine Training Safety in Modern Twin-Engine Operations As I tell my multi-engine students, in real-world multi-engine training safety, instructors cannot safely or accurately simulate an engine failure close to the ground in any twin-engine aircraft. That’s exactly what today’s advanced simulators and FAA-approved Flight Training Devices (FTDs) are designed for. Modern simulation platforms now reproduce […]
Five Twin Training Tips
As the controller calmly asked, “Would you like to declare an emergency?”, I already knew the answer. Glancing at the stopped and perfectly feathered left engine on my Cessna 310R—a Twin Engine aircraft I had owned for barely ten days—there was no hesitation: “Yes.” Just moments earlier, the engine began shaking so violently that I […]
Considering a twin
Twin engine flight safety becomes an important consideration when a pilot evaluates moving from a high-performance single to a multi-engine aircraft. A while ago, a close friend of mine considered upgrading from his single-engine Beechcraft A36 Bonanza to a Model 58 Baron—the twin-engine variant built on the same airframe lineage. As a professional risk evaluator, […]
Engine Failure After Takeoff – Light Twin Engine Aircraft
Twin Engine Failure After Takeoff – Definitions, Aerodynamic Principles and Safety Foundations Understanding twin engine failure after takeoff requires far more than memorizing emergency checklists. This event combines the most dangerous elements of multiengine aerodynamics: asymmetric thrust, low altitude, high power, high drag and minimal reaction time. Before examining real scenarios and accident patterns, it […]
Multiengine Training
It’s All About Single-Engine Flying For a pilot intent on continually advancing skills, ratings, and certificates, the natural progression is to earn the private pilot certificate, followed by an instrument rating, and then the multiengine rating. Stepping up to a multiengine airplane typically means stepping up to greater climb, cruise, and payload performance than most […]
How to handle engine failure in a twin-engine aircraft
Engine Failure in a Twin-Engine Aircraft: Complete Guide for Multi-Engine Pilots (PA-44 Seminole) Engine failure twin engine aircraft procedures are essential for every multi-engine pilot. How to recognize, control, and safely manage a single-engine emergency in flight is a critical skill that determines whether the situation remains safe or becomes hazardous. Few events in a […]
Propeller Governor Diagnostics
Introduction: Why Propeller Governor Twin Engine Diagnostics Matter In the world of multi-engine aviation, few systems are as crucial to aircraft safety and performance as the propeller governor. Properly functioning governors ensure that both engines maintain the correct propeller RPM balance, providing symmetrical thrust and smooth flight. When this balance is disrupted, the results can […]
Critical Engine
Definition The critical engine twin engine aircraft concept refers to the engine whose failure produces the most adverse aerodynamic and handling effects on a multi-engine airplane. When this engine fails, the remaining engine generates asymmetric thrust that challenges stability, control, and pilot workload. Understanding which engine is critical — and why — is fundamental for […]
Pilot Surveys on Identification of a Failed Engine in Twin-Engine Propeller Aircraft
Introduction: Why Engine Failure Identification Twin Engine Safety Matters Engine failure identification twin engine safety is one of the most critical challenges in multi-engine aviation. When one engine quits, the aircraft instantly becomes asymmetrical—yawing and rolling toward the dead side. In such moments, pilots must identify, verify, and feather the correct propeller within seconds. A […]