Flight Training Blog

Our free blog for safe and proficient multi-engine flying!

  • 10/5/2025

    How To Earn Your Multi-Engine Rating!

    So you’ve just earned your private pilot or commercial pilot certificate and are in the market to earn your multi-engine add-on. What’s next and where can I get that completed at? I recall when I was undertaking the same daunting task of setting up multi-rating training and the exciting check ride. I called around, spoke with those who’ve already done it, googled flight schools, and walked around on the forums. One of the biggest things I remember from my past journey to completing the multi-engine rating was having a place that could train me proficiently, had a good reputation, could complete me on time, on an aircraft that was well-equipped, and a flight school that was accommodating from start to finish.

    I can tell you that learning in the Beechcraft Baron was a great experience, as practicing single-engine-out procedures really brought out the true light twin experience for learning purposes. The sheer power of the baron and its 285-300hp engines was so awesome and it felt like I was flying a real sports car of an airplane! There are other aircraft, such as the Piper Seminole, Comanche, Cessna 310, or Diamond DA 42 that can be utilized to earn a multi-raing. I wanted the real light-twin experience and had chosen to go with the Baron model.

    Most importantly, choose a flight school and instructor with whom you feel comfortable. Cost is an essential aspect of flight training, but not everything. Whether people cost less or more for their multi-engine add-on program doesn’t matter quite as much as the quality and overall positive experience you get. Someone who may cost $1,000-$2,000 more may provide a more equipped aircraft, a little more flight time, and a more proficient learned experience. The same can be said of any cheaper flight training options as well. Research and do your due diligence before committing!

    Next, after finding your training facilitator, most require an initial deposit comprised of the examiner fee and the fee to hold your spot at the flight school. Most trainers will send training materials out ahead of time. Please! Chair fly, study systems, limitations, memory items, and flight profiles before training. This in turn should make things much easier for you and could save you time and money in the end! Typically schools will offer anywhere from 5-12 hours of flight training before your check ride. I have found 6 hours is typically sufficient for the majority of students out there. Repetition and great flying skill will take you to the finish line!

    -Chief Pilot Landen

  • 10/10/2025

    Quite often, I receive questions from those navigating this complex aviation career market that is always present. One recent question I had gotten was, "do you think it is worth earning my ATP certificate before heading to the airlines or that corporate flying job?”

    My answer is, β€œit depends on if you already have a job lined up or if you are waiting in the applicant pool like so many people are.” If you are an applicant who is holding steadfast out in the hiring market I would tell you to go ahead and earn that ATP certifcate if you can swing that financially. Many places can get you to the finish line for ATP for around $5,000-$10,000. Here at β€œAirplane Multi Engine Training we could get you there for $4,995!” We even offer AOPA’s multi-engine flight training financing that could help out if needed.

    Outside of trying to sell you a package, I can tell you from personal experience that already having earned the coveted Airline Transport Certificate will help you in getting placed higher in the hiring pool above other candidates. You are demonstrating to your future potential employer that you have the ability to successfully complete training and you emphasize a strong work ethic that will go far in your future aeronautical career.

    Simply put, if you have already signed up with an airline to go on board, then you may want to wait and save your money, since you will earn your ATP during training with them. If you are still out there applying to companies not necessarily knowing where you’ll end up or when, then I would strongly consider getting your ATP done to help set you apart from other candidates.

    -Chief Pilot Landen

  • 10/18/2025

    Hey fellow aviators! Coming back from a much needed vacation, I had some time to reflect on certain things people ask me about the multi-rating process. Just like any other certificate or rating out there, curiosity and informational knowledge are extremely important to us as pilots.

    Here is a quick reference to the oral and practical portions of the multi-rating certification process…

    Oral

    • Really study all systems on the aircraft and be able to name off limitations as well

    • Emergency procedures and quick reference items are monumentally important

    • Aerodynamic aspects of a multi-engine aircraft (What makes a light twin different from other aircraft)

    • Flight planning- takeoff and landing distances (based upon calculations in the aircraft’s POH)

    • Expect scenario based questions: I.E.-How do you handle a gear extension or retraction issue, fuel issue, or one engine inoperative after takeoff

    • Always know what β€œAccelerate-Stop” distance means

    • Always, always, always ensure the aircraft’s logbooks are present for the oral and necessary pages are tabbed so the examiner can easily inspect entries

    Practical

    • Expect for maneuvers, such as, an aborted takeoff, steep turns, stalls, slow flight, simulated engine-out approaches, Vmc demo, and handling emergency procedures due to a planned single-engine out scenario at atltitude

    • One of the most important things to study is the FAA Airmen Certification Standards for the certificate or rating that you are going up for

    • Engine out Procedures: Bank-Ball-Blue-line-Mixtures-Props-Throttles-Flaps Up-Gear Up-Identify-Verify-FeatherΒ»Then if time permits always perform the full monty and execute the proper emergency checklist!

    • Keep those heading, bank, altitude, and airspeed standards in check and know them stone cold

    • Always slow the aircraft to a slower speed if needed and stay ahead of the aircraft. As pilots we never let the airplane fly us! **If more time is needed in flight to setup the aircraft, power the engines to a lower power setting as needed and give yourself more time**

    I hope some of these items will help you out for your multi-rating oral and checkride that may be coming up for you soon!

    Even though there are other proficiency knowledge aspects to the inflight training, oral, and practical exam, these few things are common tasks that you can expect will show up during your multi-rating experience. In my past experience, when I showed up to the oral and practical, knowing memory items, limitations, and systems down pat, it definitely made my experience a more efficient and pleasurable one!

    As always, reach out if you have any questions as I am in your corner!

    -Chief Pilot Landen β€œThe Multi-Rating Guy”

  • 10/28/2025

    The value of integrating an accelerated multi-rating flight training program with a paced training program!

    Choosing a multi-engine flight school with an accelerated and paced flight training program offers significant value for aspiring private pilots flying for pleasure and business, corporate, and airline pilots. Accelerated training condenses essential multi-engine instruction into a streamlined schedule, reducing the time needed to gain complex aircraft proficiency. This efficiency helps students enter the job market faster, maximizing career momentum and earning potential.

    A paced program ensures that training progresses at a measured, manageable speed aligned with each student’s learning curve. This approach reinforces retention of critical multi-engine concepts, such as engine-out procedures, performance calculations, and advanced aerodynamics.

    The balance that Airplane Multi Engine Training offers in terms of accelerated timelines and paced delivery provides a comprehensive, confident skill set.

    Additionally, these programs often emphasize tailored instruction with experienced multi-engine instructors who prioritize safety and realism. Students benefit from a curriculum integrating actual flight time, focused on building multi-engine decision-making and emergency handling proficiency.

    In summary, the value lies in achieving multi-engine pilot certification both quickly and thoroughly, enhancing pilot competence, safety awareness, and career readiness in a competitive aviation landscape.

    In your corner-Chief Pilot Landen

  • Up until recently, I had been getting a lot of inquiries about multi-engine time building in the Baron. Throughout those conversations, I recognized the enormous need for multi-engine time building in the aviation marketplace. That’s why, as of late, β€œAirplane Multi Engine Training” is offering multi-engine time building for those looking to positively enhance their multi-engine flying skills beyond just their earlier commercial, MEI, or ATP training and checkrides.

    Multi-engine flight time is incredibly valuable to future potential employers, whether airline or corporate aviation flight departments. When I was starting out in flying, I can remember time and time again applying to various companies, and almost all of them really valued the multi-engine time I had accumulated. Yes, I know, multi-time is more expensive than the single-engine counterpart; however, it will pay dividends when you land your future dream job at that airline or corporate flight company. It will literally pay for itself when you get up and going in your long-term flying career. Ask me how I know?

    Here to help mentor the next generation of professional pilots.

    -Landen B. Chief Pilot and CEO Airplane Multi Engine Training