MEI Questions

[AC560]

Go read 50 or so light twin training accident reports and decide for your self.

Such as the report sqwkvfr posted where they are doing engine cuts below Vmc? Most NTSB reports result in people doing things improperly (almost always the result of bad judgment). Suggesting as you do that having a rear passenger (within weight/CG) is going to lead to a flat spin is disingenius.

One should not be scared of twin instruction provided one flies within the prescribed envelope. If you want to do full power on breaking stalls, cuts below Vmc, etc. Then having a rear passenger is the least of your issues. If you as an instructor are in fear of being in the aircraft then you shouldn't be instructing let alone in the aircraft.

 

[brokeflyer]

Go find a the DE in your area that does multi rides, ask him for a recommendation fora good multi instructor.

 

[avbug]

The Seneca II does fine with two up front and no one in the rear. I flew many hours in the Seneca II and III with two on board in the front seats, always within CG.

As for single engine missed approaches in them, no. I once told an FAA inspector "no" when he insisted on doing them during a 135 checkride in the airplane. He told me he'd fail me for refusing to do one. I told him he didn't have a legal leg to stand on, and asked him if he'd like to get out now, or wait until we got back to the airport. He grumbled and said carry on...we did the ride without the missed approach on one (which he can't require in a Part 23 airplane...it's not certified to do so or required to be able to do it).

I did the same thing during a checkride in a King Air 90, and warned the examiner/chief pilot not to pull the engine. He did it anway, and despite having been warned that he wouldn't get the engine back if he pulled it, he gave it a shot. When he learned I was setting up to put the airplane in a field because that was the only option at the time, he demanded, then begged for the power...and was in tears before I let him have it back.

Ride passed...chief pilot educated.

I'd have given him more of a pass if he hadn't tried to insist he'd have done the single engine missed out of a high density altitude airport in the mountains, with passengers on board...in front of the company general manager.

In a light twin like a Seneca II or a Cessna 310, if a missed is required, I won't do it. I'll land between the runways, on a taxiway, after or before the problematic traffic etc...and I'd never teach a student to develop the mentality of taking one around on one engine, either. Bad, bad move.

 

[JAFI]

AC 560, Are you here and now giveing CG and Climb performance of EVERY light twin out there as being safe under your conditions?? Could you put that on paper and sign it?

Having a passenger in a light twin during primary training is fine if all is going well. It is when all is not well that the extra person is a potential CG problem or excess dead weight that could be the difference between climbing/maintaining altitude or not. Can you FORECAST when a problem is going to happen for each flight? How about giving us a winning lottery ticket number?

Take a good look at Part 23 aircraft certification standards (it is poor at best) and remember that your aircraft could be 30 plus years older and you are not a test pilot under controlled conditions.

This reminds me of a discussion with a 100 hour private pilot that wanted me to take a Skyhawk through thunderstorms to attend a meeting. My reply would be the same to you:

"the keys are in the aircraft, Good Luck".

 

[AC560]

It is when all is not well that the extra person is a potential CG problem or excess dead weight that could be the difference between climbing/maintaining altitude or not.

I believe I clearly stated One should not be scared of twin instruction provided one flies within the prescribed envelope. If you are flying in the envelope prescribed one is not going to have an issue.

 

[sqwkvfr]

The Seneca II does fine with two up front and no one in the rear. I flew many hours in the Seneca II and III with two on board in the front seats, always within CG.

As for single engine missed approaches in them, no. I once told an FAA inspector "no" when he insisted on doing them during a 135 checkride in the airplane. He told me he'd fail me for refusing to do one. I told him he didn't have a legal leg to stand on, and asked him if he'd like to get out now, or wait until we got back to the airport. He grumbled and said carry on...we did the ride without the missed approach on one (which he can't require in a Part 23 airplane...it's not certified to do so or required to be able to do it).

I did the same thing during a checkride in a King Air 90, and warned the examiner/chief pilot not to pull the engine. He did it anway, and despite having been warned that he wouldn't get the engine back if he pulled it, he gave it a shot. When he learned I was setting up to put the airplane in a field because that was the only option at the time, he demanded, then begged for the power...and was in tears before I let him have it back.

Ride passed...chief pilot educated.

I'd have given him more of a pass if he hadn't tried to insist he'd have done the single engine missed out of a high density altitude airport in the mountains, with passengers on board...in front of the company general manager.

In a light twin like a Seneca II or a Cessna 310, if a missed is required, I won't do it. I'll land between the runways, on a taxiway, after or before the problematic traffic etc...and I'd never teach a student to develop the mentality of taking one around on one engine, either. Bad, bad move.

Like I said, it is required for the CPL skills test conducted by examiners for the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority per CAA Standards Document Three. (page 10, second paragraph)

It is done FAR differently than a normal go-around.

The technique is very effective, very safe, and the PA34 is plenty capable....even with an integrated JAA student at the controls.

Re: The weight and balance; I've never been within CG on a Seneca II without ballast or a back seat passenger with either 80 or 100 gallons on board.....I probably weigh more than you, but students have to use ballast on their skills tests as well, and those are conducted with someone else sitting in the cockpit with the student.

 

[avbug]

The Seneca II's and III's I flew were configured for ambulance aircraft, and were regularly flown with two up front and no one in the back...weight and balance calculated for every leg. It may have been the ambulance configuration that took care of it. I never flew one that wasn't configured that way.

The Seneca has one of the best single engine ceilings for light twins, and performs relatively well on one engine; we often were working at or above 8,000' on one engine.

That said, however, I refused then, and would refuse today, to do a go-around or missed approach on one. I don't really care what the euroweanies do.

 

[sqwkvfr]

That said, however, I refused then, and would refuse today, to do a go-around or missed approach on one. I don't really care what the euroweanies do.

I don't blame you. Had I not went to work for this company and been shown how to properly do them, I would have never done it, either.

I've been amazed at what I've learned working with the senior pilots and examiners at my company. One retired as a squadron commander in the RAF after 28 years flying a low-level nuclear deterrent bomber (I can never remember which one) and the another flew the Avro Vulcan (this particular gentleman has forgotten more about hwo to fly than I will probably ever know). I'm humbled every time I get the opportunity to fly what these guys and I learn something every time I sit in a debrief with one of my students after their skills test (CPL checkride). When they speak to me as an equal or collegue, I feel as if I am not worthy.

Anyhow, if I were to describe the single engine go-around method, I think that you might change your mind about it's safety. I do not, however, want to describe it here for fear that someone might try it without proper training.

I do want to re-iterate to anyone reading this that the single engine go-around tested by the UK authorities and taught by UK FTOs is very different from a normal go-around and you most likely won't be able to guess how its done. I don't recommend trying one unless you've had proper training in it's technique, use and the correct circumstances for it's use.

Anyhow, I've got it in my bag of tricks...should it happen someday that I really need to pull it out, I can...in a safe and controlled manner.

 

[avbug]

Anyhow, if I were to describe the single engine go-around method, I think that you might change your mind about it's safety. I do not, however, want to describe it here for fear that someone might try it without proper training.

I'm perfectly well aware of how one may initiate a missed or go-around on one engine in a light twin. I've done it in light turboprops and piston aircraft...and yes, it can be done, but it really shouldn't in general practice. Further, should always consider that what has caused one engine to fail may cause the other to fail. Additionally, when one is configured for landing, it's really not the time in a light piston twin to go again.

I know how to do it, but it doesn't mean I consider doing it. With an engine out in a light twin, I'm stopping when I reach the runway environment, whether the runway is available, or not.

 

[sqwkvfr]

I'm perfectly well aware of how one may initiate a missed or go-around on one engine in a light twin. I've done it in light turboprops and piston aircraft...and yes, it can be done, but it really shouldn't in general practice.

There's no doubt about that....in IMC or even a low overcast, I would be disinclined to attempt one. In better weather, however, I wouldn't have a problem if conditions were right and the need grave enough, but then again, I've done them (or instructed or supervised a student doing them) hundreds of times.

The FAA does not require this training and I'm with you in that if the training doesn't require a single engine go-around, do not attempt it. I also wouldn't try it in a Seminole or anything else since I've never been instructed on the technique in any other aircraft.

I don't want to think that I was questioning your abilities, 'bug....I was speaking of others that might be reading our exchange and possibly getting ideas.