Currently, I am accumulating complex airplane hours to meet the commercial license requirements, opting to do so in a multi-engine aircraft. While the fundamental principles of maneuvering remain consistent between multi-engine and single-engine airplanes, the former involves additional procedures and a broader speed range.
The primary distinction, for me, lies not just in the extra engine but in the features of a complex airplane, such as a fixed-speed prop and retractable gear – something I’ve never experienced before. Managing two engines demands a more meticulous instrument scan, essentially handling two sets of engine instruments. During basic maneuvers, the pilot must manipulate various levers (like throttle, mixture, or prop) for both engines simultaneously. Since our aircraft lacks automatic engine synchronization, I also need to make minor adjustments to one engine’s controls to minimize noise and vibration.
The primary difference in the multi-engine course lies in single-engine operations. In contrast to maneuvers, it entails an entirely new set of procedures, and everything happens more rapidly. Since I’m pursuing an ME rating as well, we’re actively engaging in one-engine procedures as part of the training.
Anyway, despite the challenges, I love this heavy mighty airplane 🙂
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