Multi-Engine Rating

A Multi-Engine Land (MEL) rating allows a pilot to operate as pilot-in-command of an aircraft with more than one engine.

Multi-Engine rated pilots will experience remarkable improvement in aircraft performance capability along with an increase in speed, power, and rate of climb. Managing the complexity and workload of a multi-engine aircraft is both exhilarating and rewarding.

The multi-engine land rating is typically an “add-on” to an existing single-engine land private, commercial, or ATP certificate. For this rating, both VFR and IFR operations will be emphasized. There are no minimum time requirements for the multi-engine land rating; however you will need an instructor endorsement for flight and ground training prior to taking the checkride. There is no written exam, only an oral exam and practical checkride are required.

While a multi-engine rating can be added to a private pilot certificate, in most cases it makes more sense to wait until a pilot has a commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating as this will save the pilot a substantial amount of money in the long run.

Multi-Engine Course Admissions Prerequisites

  1. Pilot must provide proof of citizenship (Passport or Birth Certificate) or TSA approval
  2. Pilot must already hold a ASEL rating, minimum
  3. Must be proficient in instrument procedures, takeoffs, and landings.
  4. G1000 experience preferred.
  5. Height and Weight Limits (Due to aircraft operational limitations, students taller than 6’3’’ or weighing more than 275 lbs. may be unable to train in our aircraft)
  6. Must be able to complete substantial home study in advance.
  7. Pilot should be current (Not required, however additional hours may be required if the pilot is not current)

American Flight Schools’ Multi-Engine training curriculum teaches the aerodynamic differences between the single and the multi-engine plane and provides the proper instruction needed to pass the multi-engine check ride. While there are no specific hour requirements for adding a multi-engine rating to a certificate, typically most pilots will require about 10 hours of flight training to reach the proficiency required to pass the practical test. The FAA requires training in the following specific areas:

  • Preflight preparation
  • Preflight procedures
  • Airport operations
  • Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
  • Performance maneuvers
  • Navigation
  • Slow flight and stalls
  • Emergency operations
  • Multi-engine operations
  • High-altitude operations
  • Post flight procedures

As with all flight training, preparing for a multi-engine rating requires both ground and flight training. The ground information covers specifics including aircraft systems, principles of flight (normal and single-engine), aerodynamics, and weight & balance. The flight portion consists of normal and emergency multi-engine aircraft operations and maneuvers. American Flight Schools is home to one of the finest multi engine trainers, the Piper Seminole.

Multi-Engine Add-On Short Courses

American Flight Schools offers structured, efficient, cost-effective full-time multi-engine training in our modern Piper Seminole. Add valuable multi-engine privileges to your private, commercial, or flight instructor certificate in as little as 5 days!

Part 61 add-on Multi-Engine Courses / Private or Commercial

We offer multiple Part 61 options to best fit your experience and availability. Our training advisors can help you find the best fit for your situation.

5 Day / 10 Hour Short Course

Our short course includes:

  • Multi-Engine aerodynamics/refresher training
  • Aircraft systems training
  • 4 hours Simulator time
  • 10 hours dual in our Piper Seminole
  • 5 Day / 10 Hour Course: $7500*

* This price does not include the check ride. Any additional hours needed will be billed at $500 per hour.

** Unforseen maintenance or weather may result in the training program extending longer than 5 days.

15-hour time build program

This program is commonly used by commercial multi-engine rated pilots to build the required PIC time to be eligible for the MEI check ride (15) or to build the 25 hours of total multi-engine time required for the ATP rating.

Included:

  • Multi-engine aerodynamics and systems & refresher training (to be completed during initial aircraft check out)
  • 15 hours PIC time in the Piper Seminole

*All pilots splitting aircraft costs will be required to complete a check out with a Club authorized MEI prior to renting the airplane.
*Operational limitations may apply.