Eligibility

________ Complete and signed 8710-1 Form
________ Commercial Pilot Certificate.
________ Current Flight Review (if appropriate).
________ English: Speak, Read Write and Understand (61.123(b)).
________ 3rd Class Medical Certificate or Higher.
________ Flight Instructor Endorsement or Addition of a Class Rating (61.63).

NOTE: This test can be taken in a Noncomplex Airplane if the original Commercial test was done in a complex airplane (including twins)

Ground Portion

The practical Test Standard required are for Private Pilot Multi Engine. There is a matrix in the front of the publication specifying what must be tested according to what certificates and class ratings the applicant already holds. The example below is currently holds a Private Pilot with Airplane Single Engine Land Pilot certificate.

Certificates and Documents

You will be tested on what you know about certificates and documents including showing the examiner all of the required inspections in the logbook for the airplane. Showing the sticker that mark the page is not sufficient. You need to show the inspection in the logbook to verify the date and if appropriate, the time and prove that this airplane is in compliance for the checked. You must also demonstrate the status of the recurring AD's and show them in the logbook. You will also be asked about currency requirements in the Multi Engine airplane as well as your new privilege and limitations that the new rating gives you. You should have more knowledge about this subject area than a Private Pilot. Questions usually extend to AD's, Duration of documents, etc.

Multi Engine Aerodynamics and Performance

You will be asked about Multi Engine Aerodynamics including factors of a critical engine, how performance affected with one engine inoperative, Vmc, Vyse and other performance related factors. You should be familiar with the factors of Vmc as specified in FAR 23 and in the Airplane Flying Handbook. You can expect to calculate things like "accelerated stop and go distances" and explain them. You can also expect to get a scenario question like, "What rat of climb would you expect leaving Lake Tahoe Airport with a temperature of +20C?". As a Commercial Pilot, you'll be asked to performance questions that are more difficult than the Private Pilot level. Your understanding of performance charts should be better and "V" speeds, etc.., should be available form memory.

Multi Engine Systems

Expect to explain the fuel system, landing gear, electrical system and propeller/ governor system on your airplane. Draw your references for the flight manual for the airplane and from the Airplane Flying Handbook. Questions won't be about much theory, but practical questions regarding how to use and how to tell if something in the system has failed. Certain areas like electrical system seems to give people a scare. What you need to know is generally what does what, if there are more than one bus and what is connected to it (not memorized, that's what the manual is for) and the major function of the master switch and load meters. You would be expected to have details about your airplane like the max useable fuel, etc.. memorized. Knowing the tire pressure, wing span, etc.. are generally not required to be memorized. You should also be familiar with all of the speeds for the airplane that aren't on the airspeed indicator. Any limitations such as Va, etc.. you should be able to explain. Your best ally will be the Flight Manual. Know how it's organized and where information is in it. That way, if you come across an odd question or one you've simply forgot, you can immediately find it in the manual without fumbling and wasting time. It's a real nuisance to see people fumble thorough their reference material. Don't bring reference material on a test that you are not familiar with and checked. Remember, it's reference material NOT RESEARCH MATERIAL. It doesn't impress any examiner to see an applicant with an arm load of books that takes hours digging through them for a simple answer.

Weight and Balance

You must calculate a weight and balance for the day's flight. You can use 190 pounds as my weight and I usually bring 10 pounds of baggage along positioned in the rear seat directly behind me. You will also be asked as to what happens when an airplane is operating with a forward/rearward CG and how performance is affected.

Briefings on Engine Failures and Conducting the Vmc Demonstration

You will be expected to explain to the examiner now you will handle an engine failure, real and simulated. The purpose of this is to make sure that you are using a consistent method the examiner is familiar and comfortable with. It will also confirm what you will do in flight when the examiner fails an engine. A Vmc safety briefing will also be conducted and in it you will be asked to describe how you will do the demonstration, how you will recover and what actions you will take in the event of stall warning or engine failure during the maneuver.

High Altitude Operations

You should be familiar with the AC for High Altitude Flight. In this AC describe Human Physiology, Oxygen requirement, the High Altitude Endorsement, Pressurization, Oxygen Systems, etc... I'll post a link to this document when this site is updated.

Inoperative Equipment and Minimum Equipment List

You should finally understand 91.123 regarding how to operate an airplane with inoperative equipment. You should be able to explain what the airplanes EQUIPMENT LIST is and what a MEL is. Familiarize yourself with the airplane flying handbook page 2-4 and what it means to your airplane.

Flight Portion

To do the test flight, I combine the PTS in several ways. The usual theme is something like the following:

• Depart airport with a south departure.
• Set up for a Short Field Takeoff.
• Engine Failure on the takeoff roll well before Vmc.
• After recovery for the engine failure, continue on with the takeoff.
• Depart to the south and climb to 4000 feet.
• Expect Engine Failures at any time.
• Steep Turns to the left and right.
• Slow Flight with turns to the left and right.
• Stalls - Power on and off in the turns.
• Vmc Demonstration.
• Engine Failure above the airport with Feather and Secure.
• Instrument Approach (One Engine INOP) to a landing
• Emergency Descent.
• Enter Home Airport pattern.
• Short Field Landing
• Normal Takeoff
• Pattern
• Go Around
• Normal Landing.

FEEL FREE TO COPY THE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENT

Endorsement for an airman seeking an additional aircraft rating (other than ATP):
FAR 61.63(c)

I have given Mr./Mrs. ________________________________ the Ground Instruction required by FAR 61.63 (c(1)) and find him/her competent in the aeronautical knowledge areas and have provided the flight instruction required by FAR 61.63 (c(2)) and have logged training time within the preceding 60 days and find him/her competent to pass the (private/commercial) practical test for the addition of an Airplane Multi Engine Class rating.

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