Taming the Twin: Four Rules for Safe Multiengine Flying

Made possible by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association and the Donner Canadian Foundation.

Multiengine airplanes offer better performance and greater safety. Those benefits, however, come with strings attached. In this video, we explore some of the proactive things pilots can do to ensure a safe outcome on every multiengine flight.

Learn more about using flight risk assessment tools (FRAT):

Try out the FAA's online FRAT:

[jordanryan]

Maybe the CFI should have just landed on the student's street to shorten the drive home. I mean seriously, you can turn off the runway with no engine power at all, just coasting.

[Reach]

I was always told that losing an engine in my TC-310P left me with enough remaining performance to make it to the crash site safely.

[FerralVideo]

And remember, *an engine failure is an emergency, * even if you have a "spare".

Don't be afraid to call ATC and get some help, and don't get cocky like that CFI in the last anecdote did.
Get that thing safely on the ground as soon as you can.

[wormhole]

I’m glad the lady flight instructor from top gun is in this video.

[chicoarraes]

I'm about to check my PP license. One of my instructors, great guy, younger than me, had just quit his job in the flight school to flight executive on a Piper Cheyenne. Less then a month ago he was doing a night flight over the ocean and crashed. All three occupants died. I don't think we'll ever know what really happen, but what we do know is that his last communication reported the loss of one of the engines... Having two is not always a guarantee. Maybe you won't be able to keep your altitude, maybe it will throw off your stability in the longitudinal axis, maybe it will give you a false sense of security, then you'll think you can maintain a certain attitude because of the remaining engine, but you can't and a stall will ensue. That accident was a real tragedy and very traumatic to everyone who knew him. Thank for this video. Let's all focus on safety procedures and study, really drill them. Let's not take anything for granted, no matter what equipment we're flying. I don't know what happened to my friend, maybe it was absolutely inevitable, but let's avoid every accident that can be avoided in the future.

[marvinkitfox]

Those "four rules for Safe Multiengine Flying" are actually the cornerstone of safe flying in general, and have very little to do with multiengine aircraft in specific.

[jimbeck]

If you can’t afford to fly your airplane regularly, say four hours a month if you have a twin, you really can’t afford your airplane.

[gerardmoran]

Great video. Study, plan and fly safe. I've flown Cubs on floats, DC-3s, T-38s and C-141s before the Boeing line with Delta. Leading large formations of jets, flying special ops low level on the goggles and flying light twins single pilot at night or in the weather were the biggest challenges of my career. At this stage of the game I'd rather fly a highly automated B777 single pilot than a C310 or Aztec in the weather at night. I'm not diminishing the essential role of the F/O (many have saved my bacon) but stressing the workload as a single pilot. Be safe and have fun.

[stevemagnuson]

Rule #1 in Multi-Engine flying is to always assume you are going to have an engine failure on takeoff.
Rule #2 know your engine out procedures cold.
Rule#3 Brief every takeoff, what you will to in the event of an engine failure.
Rule#4 don’t get complacent

[supersonique]

Excellent video! And remember Twins=double trouble, never let your guard down!

[Mike-]

When that piano starts playing you know what that means so don't end up on one of these videos listen to the advice.

[dougspencer]

Ahhhh, OK, so now I can go and watch the videos of Bob Hoover showing us what an accomplished pilot can really do with one engine shut down. He was truly the epitome of perfection as he performed 8 point rolls and 360 degree loops without any problems. Of course, he was also known for doing a lot of his routine with BOTH engines shut down. Mr. Hoover.... you were the best!!

[jackshannon]

My experience and that of everyone I flew with was that we could not manage an engine failure in takeoff. We were taught and became a believer in repeated simulator trials to not retract the gear until reaching an altitude where we could control an engine out. If an engine fails below that altitude you just pull the other engine back and land anywhere that is available. That is not popular, and not what you would like to believe. But the simulator will make you a believer!

[gomphrena-beautifulflower-]

Please forgive my indulgence, as my comment has nothing to do with the subject matter. But I have to say it: The image at 3:12 is suitable for framing. If I were the proud owner of the first in line, I would definitely have an 11x14 in my office.

[joaquinfabrega]

My father was flying his Commander 500, between Cozumel and Miami we lost one engine, the plane flew without a problem.
On the other hand, my uncle lost one engine in a C 310, crashed and die. At the end I learned that there are differences in plane performance, many factors will affect the way a twin flies without an engine.
However, I always keep in the back of my mind that in a single you are always a step of an emergency while in a twin is a matter of stretching the hard landing.

[TheRotorhound]

I trained in a Beech Duchess and my instructor shut down one engine and I had no problem with dead foot dead engine and complete control. Unfortunately we couldn't restart the dead engine. Had no problems bringing it into our 7000 foot runway and an easy landing. Learned then that you can't taxi with one engine. Scared the hell out of the cfi as I was his first student.

[sleepyhollow]

Thank you COPA and Air Safety Institute.

[clayz]

The video fade used in the thumbnail is what got me to click on this.

[chrisnewman]

The use of preflight and in flight checklists is so important

[kevinfromvirginia]

The FRE is a great tool. Flying in and out of the Appalachian mountains this time of year can be challenging. Especially when you have paying passengers who want to see the fall foliage. It's extremely useful.