This test is similar in scope to the CFII checkride (see the notes there as well). It is again split between your mastery of the aircraft and your ability to teach multi engine flying both on the ground and in the air. It's important to emphasize that the focus is not on answering questions about "pilot skill". It is on answering questions like a teacher or someone who "can" teach this to another person. An example would be something like this:

Question:

Describe the electrical system.

Pilot Skill answer:

It's a DC 24 volt system with two 28 volt alternators, a single 24 volt battery, two primary busses and an essential bus plus an avionics bus. The battery provides the power for starting and power in the event of alternator failures otherwise the alternators provide the power for the airplane. Dual magnetos on each engine which are engine driven allow each engine to operate without power from any source other than themselves. The master switch turns on and off the battery supply to the bus bar system and we have two alternator switches. In addition we have two load meters which show alternator output and we have two warning lights to indicate failure of the current to the field coil of each alternator.

Ok, so here's the MEI's answer:

Using the schematic in the AFM the MEI Says: The electrical system can be divided into several pieces. Starting with the battery which is a 24 volt battery and can provide 17 amp/hours of capacity. That means it can produce 17amps for one hour or 1 amp for 17 hours or any other combination that results in 17 amp/hours. The battery provides electrical power when the master switch is turned on. This action causes the master contactor to close which connects the battery to the primary bus. It also provides power up to the starter relay/contactor but as you can see the only time the starter can engage is when the key switch is turned to start which closes the starter contactor which in turn makes the starter turn. As the starter turns the engine the magnetos, which are connected to the engine's spinning via the accessory case, fire to the spark plugs which ignite the fuel/air mixture and cause the engine to start running. When the engine runs the alternator begins to operate. The alternator produces 28 volts which is higher than the battery voltage. The reason for this is so that the alternator can charge the battery. If they were both the same voltage then no charging would occur. When the alternator runs the voltage regulator ensures that the system produces a consistent 24 volts to the primary bus. If there is a problem the overvoltage relay will trip which is here in the circuit. This turns off the alternator. Now look at the emergency checklist to see how to handle an alternator failure…etc etc. Not that this is the only way to answer the question but it's an example how to correlate the AFM to the electrical system with emergency checklists etc. The pilot in this case obviously knows how the system works and what to do with the information. He also knows how to teach the subject using visual aids along with speaking and he correlates things into the checklist to give the student the reason we need to know about the electrical system.

The MEI should be prepared to teach a lesson on any phase of Multi Engine Flying. Of particular interest would be the following:

• Vmc
• Operation of Systems
• Performance Calculations and correlation to Decision Making
• Multi Engine Aerodynamics
• Emergency Operations

The MEI should also be able to qualify and endorse a student to take a practical test. This would include:

• Flight instructor responsibility with regards to the PTS
• How the MEI is meeting what is required in FAR 61 for the rating sought
• What endorsements need to be given? (Not a sheet of paper someone gave you or an endorsement preprinted in a logbook.) Those can be old, out of date or just wrong. Be prepared to identify which ones you need to give, show them and VERIFY that they meet the regulation.

Here is an example of how a test could go.

Ground Portion:

Systems - Mix of teaching and pilot skill
Performance - Mix of teaching and pilot skill
Lesson Plan - Assigned ahead of time. Applicant ready to do a full teaching exercise with role playing
Scenarios where the MEI must properly endorse a student for a test
Application of FAR 61 on what must be done for Commercial Initial in a Multi
Application of FAR 61 on what must be done for an additional rating (ASEL to AMEL)

Flight Portion:

Short and Normal T/O
Rejected T/O
Steep Turns
Slow Flight
Stalls
Engine Failure with full feather and secure - Applicant teaches
Vmc Demonstration
Single Engine Traffic pattern with landing
Assorted small tasks during flight to demonstrate teaching

It will be always made clear to you if you are just required to demonstrate your own skill without teaching or if you are teaching the task. It will also be made clear to you at what level I will be acting as a student. It may be a brand new student, a student who has acquired all prerequisite knowledge so far, flight review student out of currency etc. It will be up to you to decide on the level of teaching and evaluation necessary.

Common Problems on the Test:

• Not knowing which endorsements apply to the rating or certificate sought
• Confusing the Commercial AMEL initial requirements with the added rating training requirements
• Confusing Authorized solo with being able to do flight training in the 10 hours required for the commercial pilot certificate. (61.129)
• Explaining Vmc and it's relationship to stall, altitude and speed
• Not understanding the aircraft systems in enough detail. (Rote level understanding)
• Over teaching in critical flight situations. Trying to say it all on the downwind while missing the fact that the tower called us twice, an aircraft we are following is executing a 360 ahead etc. Sometimes we have to break up the teaching exercise into smaller pieces.
• Not evaluating once a topic has been taught.
  

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