Question 1

What are the specific pilot-in-command (PIC) requirements to take the MEI checkride?

Accepted Answer

To be eligible for the Multi-Engine Instructor checkride, the FAA requires a pilot to have at least 15 hours of PIC time in a multi-engine airplane. It is important to note that a pilot cannot begin logging these specific PIC hours until they already hold a multi-engine rating on their commercial certificate. Many applicants find this challenging because they must first earn the multi-engine add-on before they can legally build the time required for the instructor rating.

Question 2

Why is the Piper Seminole commonly used for multi-engine training if it lacks a "critical engine"?

Accepted Answer

The Piper Seminole features counter-rotating propellers, which means the engines rotate toward the fuselage, balancing out P-factor and torque and eliminating the traditional critical engine found in aircraft like the Beechcraft Baron. However, instructors use the Seminole as a safe, "tame" platform to simulate the hazards of engine failure. By using this aircraft, students can learn to manage asymmetric thrust and directional control in a more stable environment before transitioning to high-performance twins where an engine failure would have more adverse effects.

Question 3

What is "Zero Side Slip" and why is it taught during engine-out procedures?

Accepted Answer

Zero Side Slip is a flight technique used during an engine failure to minimize drag and maximize aircraft performance. While a student might instinctively try to keep the turn coordinator ball centered, a centered ball during single-engine flight actually indicates the airplane is in a slight skid. To achieve Zero Side Slip, the pilot must bank the aircraft approximately two to five degrees into the operative engine and allow the ball to displace slightly toward the "good" engine, which aligns the fuselage with the relative wind.

Question 4

How does the "Eighty Percent Performance Loss" rule apply to twin-engine aircraft?

Accepted Answer

The "Eighty Percent Performance Loss" rule highlights a common misconception that losing one of two engines results in a 50 percent loss of performance. In reality, while 50 percent of the available power is lost, the resulting drag from the windmilling propeller and the necessary rudder deflection causes a performance drop of roughly 80 percent. This significantly reduces the single-engine climb rate and can even result in a single-engine service ceiling that is lower than the aircraft's current altitude.

Question 5

What is the "Anti-Feathering Pin" logic in a multi-engine propeller system?

Accepted Answer

Anti-feathering pins are safety mechanisms designed to prevent the propeller from feathering during a normal engine shutdown on the ground. These pins stay engaged if the engine RPM drops below a certain threshold, typically around 900 RPM in a Seminole, keeping the blades in a high-pitch orientation for an easier subsequent start. However, if an engine fails in flight while at a high RPM, centrifugal force keeps these pins retracted, allowing the propeller to move into the feathered position to reduce drag.

Mastering the MEI: From Single-Engine to Multi-Engine Instructor

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