Why Singles are Better & Safer than Twins

When most aviation enthusiasts think of a piston twin aircraft, the perception is that having two engines means better performance, and a more capable aircraft; more capable means you can carry more load, so more useful load, and you can fly higher over the weather, which means in many cases that you have a pressurized cabin. So, unlike a lot of light piston or just generally piston engine aircraft where you need external oxygen to be able to fly at a high altitude, in a piston twin, you may have a pressurized cabin, and then you can also travel farther. This has been the justification why those that fly twins give anytime any day, but the truth is that numbers don't always support that argument because, in this day and age, there are countless single engine aircraft that can match those same performances and, in some cases, outperform a light twin.
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[johnpatrick]

In 40 years I have had two engine failures in twins over the ocean and never wound up in a raft or as shark food.

[FlywithMagnar]

Dwayne, I don't buy your arguments. For a starter, for the same payload and performance, a twin doesn't burn the double amount of fuel. For example, a single engine airplane may need a 300 hp engine to have the same capability as a twin with 200 hp engines. Regarding acccident statistics, most accidents with twin engined airplanes can be tracked back to insufficient pilot training and recurrency. This has resulted in loss of control. A twin has more limitations, but as long as you respect them, you will find the twin to be safer than a single engined airplane.

[iheartx]

This is what happens if you don’t know much about aviation and decide to start a YouTube channel where you need to pump out content all the time

[marcpasquini]

Someone needs to make a video on why twins are safer than singles.

[johnpatrick]

In a twin, you have a choice to fly or not fly. In a single, the choice is made for you. The problem with the twin is it is the competency of the driver that will make the choice work.

[overthehorizonadventurerid]

In all phases of flight if you loose the engine in a single engine aircraft, your’e eating dirt for lunch. Even in a light twin, a properly managed engine out situation does not mean your eating dirt. If I'm flying IFR at night in crap weather I'll take a twin any day.

[philrandell]

I can’t even say this video is a joke because it’s not even funny. When I’m flying over the sea with my family on board, I’ll take comfort in my second engine, thank you.

[flitetym]

I guess airlines should skip the next generation of twinjets and demand singles from Airbus and Boeing. 🙄

[quantomic]

Thank goodness for this video. Now I'll only run one engine in my 310 for an extra layer of safety.

[lukekirk]

1. Twins are not usually more expensive, the buy price is actually usually less compared to a similar single engine because the operating cost is higher. You can buy a good light twin for the same price as a 172 or Mooney and way cheaper than all the other certified planes you mentioned.

2. Twins are safer, if your trained and proficient in handling engine failures. Imagine that, you still have to be proficient to be a safe pilot.
Having a twin means you don’t have to land in a field 50 miles from the nearest city if an engine fails, or in a Black abyss at night.

[troylowell]

I fly a Diamond DA42-VI. When I bought it, I decided between the Diamond and a Cirrus SR-22 G6. They both have about the same cruising speed, fuel burn (14 gal/hr at 165kta/10k ft), useful load, range, and even about the same price (assume both are loaded).
Advantage Cirrus: annual is cheaper (one engine). Parachute. Wingspan <40ft (fits in T-Hangar). More mechanics know how to work on it. Higher service ceiling (24k ft)
Advantage Diamond: Jet A. FADEC (no fiddling with mixture!) engines! That means I can fly over water/mountains without worrying about pullling that parachute. Also: if you want to lease your plane to a Part 135 charter to offset the costs of keeping her (which are eye wateringly high), a twin can fly over water to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, etc. Can't do that Part 135 with a single.
Two engines are only an advantage if you know how to fly them, though. A failed engine can be very dangerous during takeoff. After that, the Diamond's VMC is about the same as its stall speed. It can even climb 150-200ft/min on one engine (at lower altitudes)

[HH-mwsq]

The reason one buys a light twin is for the much greater initial rate of climb after takeoff. Not for range, payload, or cruise speed. Besides a twin is much safer for flying long distances over water. So this guy is not particularly knowledgeable on this topic. The only time an engine out in a twin is potentially more fatal than in a single piston airplane is shortly after takeoff. However, if a pilot is proficient in light twin operations, then it isn't a fatal problem.

[mindfitnessmovement]

I would prefer twin over single anytime. Having a backup when flying over water or mountains is non negotiable for me. Peace of mind is more important. 🙏

[leerobertarzt]

IT’s remarkable that much of the visuals in this video shows a Diamond DA 42, that burns about 12 gals of Jet A an hour. That’s for both engines!

[johnpatrick]

In day time with good weather, the big problem of having a plane turn into a glider is if there is a suitable place to land.

[fdzaviation]

They’re not safer. They’re as safe as the proficiency of the pilot flying.

[BlueMax]

Cessna Stationair is a versatile STOL aircraft. It has large doors and removable seats to choose between passengers and cargo.

[jorgedelgado]

The title is true until your single engine fails.

[lancepeltier]

If it were possible to eliminate all comments made by anyone other than experienced real-world pilots, I wonder what the comment section would look like.

[marcusdoven]

Safety... it's a twin every day.
it's a single every day