Multi Engine Pilot Oral Exam Guide

What documents are required on board the aircraft

Airworthiness certificate, Registration Certificate, Radio Station License, Operating Limitations, Weight and Balance Data

What are the required tests and inspections to be performed on multi engine aircraft

Annual inspection/Airworthiness directives, VOR inspection (30 days), 100 hour inspection if for hire, Altimeter/static (24 calendar months), Transponder (24 calendar months), ELT (12 calendar months, 1 hour of use, or 50% of battery life)

Can a pilot legally conduct flight operations with known inoperative equipment onboard

Yes under certain conditions allowed by 91.213

Is a pilot required to complete a flight review in a multi-engine aircraft?

No, a flight review just has to be done in an aircraft for which the pilot is rated.

How can you take passengers in a multi-engine aircraft

Three takeoff and landings within preceding 90 days in aircraft of same category class and type if applicable

Must a pilot complete their instrument currency in a multi engine aircraft to fly in IMC?

Instrument currency just needs to be completed in an airplane so it can be single engine or multi

What are some ways a pilot can mitigate risks associated with multi engine training

Brief simulated engine failures in advance, avoid low altitude single engine operations, have knowledge of systems and aerodynamics

How can a pilot use differential power during taxi

To make tight turns, increase power on one engine while holding the opposite brake

How can differential power help in crosswind taxi?

it can help control direction. Power should be applied on upwind engine, causing a turning moment away from crosswind

What are some risks associated with flying multi engine aircraft

1. Heavier, Faster and more complex systems

2. Increased performance

3. Higher Workload

4. Situations can deteriorate at a faster rate

What factors contribute to loss in situational awareness

Higher workload, Fixation while troubleshooting, Distractions and interruptions (ATC, Traffic, etc), Dependency on avionics

What are the three most critical phases of flight

Takeoff, Initial climb, and landing. Low altitude and slow airspeed are high risk

Vr

Rotation speed

Vx

Best angle of climb

Vxse

Best angle of climb with one engine inoperative

Vy

Best rate of climb speed, gains most altitude for a given amount of time

Vyse

Best rate of climb single engine

Vsse

Safe single engine speed

Vmc

Minimum control speed with critical engine inoperative

Va

Maneuvering speed

Vref

reference landing speed. calculated by 1.3 times the stall speed in landing configuration

Define accelerate stop distance

Runway length required to accelerate to rotation, experience an engine failure and come to a complete stop

Is takeoff advisable if accelerate-stop distance exceeds the available runway distance

It’s not prohibited for private carriage, but it is not advisable to do so (FAA-H-8083-3)

Do the regulations require that the runway length be greater than the accelerate stop distance

Not all operations, most POHs publish them as an advisory. It becomes a limitation when published in limitations of POH for commercial operations

Define accelerate go distance

Distance required to accelerate to rotation and assuming an engine failure at that moment, to continue the takeoff and climb. to 50 feet

If there was no accelerate stop distance how could you calculate this

Run aircraft up to takeoff speed then bring to a stop on a long runway. or add takeoff distance to landing distance over 50 foot obstacle then factor in significant margin

What factors should be considered when planning a takeoff

Know the POH performance capabilities, review weight and balance, takeoff distance, etc

How does an increase in density altitude affect performance

Increased takeoff distance, increased accelerate stop/go distance, increased true airspeed, increased landing distance, decrease in climb performance, decrease in service ceilings, decreased Vmc

What should you consider when attempting a short field takeoff in a light twin that has a best angle of climb speed less than 5kts higher than VMC

Consider reducing useful load or use another runway to increase takeoff margins

Overall climb performance is reduced by what percent in an engine out scenario

Loss of power in one engine results in 50 percent of power, but climb performance can be reduced by at least 80%. Excess thrust is used for climbs and with one engine inoperative there is significantly less power to help climb

What are the advantages of a cruise climb vs a best rate of climb

Higher ground speed, increase in forward visibility, engine cooling increased

Why are some multi aircraft required to have performance capabilities that require a positive rate of climb

FAA requires that all turboprop, turbojet, and large aircraft (10 or more passengers) or air taxi operations are required to demonstrate takeoff capability with one engine inop

14 CFR Part 23

Max takeoff weight or Vs0 greater than 61 the single engine rate of climb in fpm at 5000ft must be equal to at least 0.027 Vs0² for airplanes type certified feb 4 1991 or after

Define service ceiling

Maximum density altitude where best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100fpm climb at max takeoff weight while in a clean configuration at max power

What factors affect service ceiling

Weight, Pressure altitude, Temperature

Define Absolute ceiling

Altitude at which climb is no longer possible. Also the density altitude where Vx and Vy are equal

Define single engine service ceiling

The single engine service ceiling is the altitude at which a twin engine airplane can no longer climb at a rate greater than 50fpm with one engine inop

Define the term climb gradient

Expressed as a percentage or as a ratio. most frequently in altitude gain per 100 feet of horizontal distance. A 1.5 climb gradient is a gain of one and a half feet per 100 feet of horizontal travel

Is a takeoff advisable if the density altitude is higher than the single engine service ceiling

no you would be unable to climb or maintain altitude with an engine failure on takeoff

effects of forward cg

higher stall speed due to increased wing loading, slower cruise speed bc of greater angle of attack to maintain altitude, more stable, lower vmc

what is drift down

if airplane is above single engine absolute ceiling at the engine failure it will slowly drift down to its single engine service ceiling

Aft cg characteristics

Lower stall speed, higher cruise speed, smaller angle of attack to maintain altitude, Less stable, higher Vmc

Payload

weight of occupants, cargo, and baggage.

why does a non turbocharged airplane experience a loss in manifold pressure as it gains altitude

the volume of the air going into the engines induction system gradually decreases in density as altitude increases. when the volume of air in the manifold decreases, it causes a loss of power.

How will manifold pressure gauge indicate on ground engine not running

Manifold pressure will indicate ambient air pressure

How will manifold pressure gauge indicate on the ground running

Gauge will decrease to a value less than ambient pressure

How will manifold pressure gauge indicate in the air with engine failure/loss of power

The manifold pressure gauge will indicate an increase in manifold pressure to a value corresponding to the ambient air pressure at the altitude where the failure occurred

What’s the function of a turbocharger

increase pressure of engines induction air which helps develop greater horsepower at higher altitudes

What are the 2 main components of a turbocharger

Compressor- houses impeller that turns at a high rate. air is accelerated allowing a large volume of air to be draw into the compressor.

Turbine- Engines exhaust gases are used to drive a turbine wheel. directing different amounts of exhaust gases to flow over turbine, more energy can be extracted

What controls the flow of gas to a turbine engine

waste gate controller

What is a constant speed propeller

A constant speed props pitch or blade angle is automatically varied by a governor to maintain a constant RPM.

What does the propeller governor do to the blade angle when an airplane is nose up into a climb from level flights

decrease the blade angle

How are propellers on multi engine planes different than constant speed props on single engine

Props can be feathered to minimize drag on multi planes. ADD

Why do you “exercise” propellers prior to takeoff

It ensures the system is operating correctly and to circulate oil through the prop governor.

What could happen if props aren’t exercised before takeoff

there is a possibility that the engine may overspeed on takeoff if oil has been trapped in propeller cylinder since shutdown

What is a propeller overspeed

when prop speed is set higher than desired speed set on the control. can be caused by a malfunctioning governor

prop overspeed action

reduce power and set propeller control to full to decrease rmp

what does feathering the prop do

props are streamlined with the wind which decreases drag

how does increased oil pressure in governor move pitch ADD

low pitch high rpm

what’s the purpose of counterweights

assist in driving the propeller blades towards feather.

explain what happens when feathers

all oil pressure is dumped from the governor and the counterweights drive blades towards feather. centrifugal force acts on counterweights decays from decreasing RPM. Forces from spring or high pressure air stored in propeller dome forces blades into feathered position

explain what happens when unfeathered

engine must be rotated so oil pressure can be generated to move propeller blades. Ignition is turned on prior to engine rotation with throttle at low idle and mixture rich.with prop in high rpm position starter is engaged. it will then windmill, start and run as oil pressure moves blades

What is an unfeathering accumulator

permits starting a feathered engine without prolonged or potentially use of starter. It stores a small reserve of engine oil under pressure from nitrogen.

what keeps the gear locked in the up position

uplocks

how is inadvertent gear retraction prevented

safety switches- when strut is compressed the switch opens the electrical circuit to the motor that powers retraction

How does the fuel vapor return system work

allow air to enter the tanks to prevent vacuum or excessive pressure

What is the difference between a dry sump and a wet sump

Dry sump system, the oil is contained in a separate tank and circulated through the engine by pumps. A wet sump system, oil is located in a sump which is an integral part of the engine

Does the oil temperature gauge give a direct indication of engine temp

No, it’s a delayed indication of rising engine temperature, but it can be used indirectly for determining. If available CHT should be used

What is the difference between a generator and alternator

most generators will not produce enough power at low rpm. alternators produce sufficient current to operate even at slower engine speeds by producing an AC current that is converted to DC

what does a voltage regulator do

controls the rate of charge on to the battery by stabilizing the generator or alternator electrical output

What are the three basic components of an aircraft oxygen system

Storage system, delivery system, mask/canula

What are the types of oxygen systems

Diluter demand, pressure demand, continuous flow, (electrical pulse demand??)

describe the diluter demand system

provides oxygen mixed with air in order to maintain constant oxygen partial pressure as altitdue changes

describe pressure demand systems

uses pressurized air that is pushed into lungs

how do continuous flow oxygen systems work

constant supply of oxygen is provided

describe electrical pulse demand

detects a persons inhalation effort and provides oxygen during initial part of inhalation. helps limit wasted oxygen

How is a cabin pressurized

on turbine engines bleed air from engine compressor section is used to pressurize. piston engines can use supplied air from each engine turbocharger through sonic venturi (flow limiter)

what cabin pressurization should a plane be able to maintian

8000 feet

what is differential pressure in relation to pressurization

difference between pressure acting on one side of wall and the other. difference between cabin pressure and atmospheric pressure

dangers of decompression

hypoxia, time of useful consciousness

what should a pilot do if they experience decompression

An emergency decent and use of supplemental oxygen

define critical engine

the engine that if it were to fail would have the most adverse affect on performance and controllability

blue line on airspeed indicator

vyse

Red line on airspeed indicator

Vmc

three performance issues with inop engine

Loss of climb performance, A yawing moment towards inop engine, A rolling moment towards inop

why does a multi engine airplane with an inop engine become uncontrollable when below vmc

when an engine fails the pilot must overcome asymmetrical thrust. when rudder is deflected it counteracts. eventually the rudder moment will no longer balance the thrust

phases of. spin

entry phase, incipient spin (rotation starts), full developed

spin recovery

power idle, ailerons neutral, rudder full opposite, elevator forward