Multi Engine Time Building

So, what about multi engine time building? Why do I need it and how much do I need?

If you are an aspiring career pilot, you need to know that most regional airlines require about 100+ hours of multi engine airplane flight time as pilot-in-command (PIC) as a minimum hiring requirement. Logging multi engine hours is a fact of life if you want to get hired!

So, why do I specify PIC twin time? There are some flight training organizations who advertise multi engine time building programs at seemingly incredible prices. STOP! READ! Before you sign up for one of these incredible deals, get all the facts! Some of these "deals" are actually 50/50 deals where you share an airplane with another time builder. While the other guy is flying left seat (wearing a view limiting device), you act as safety pilot in the right seat logging "PIC" time.

The FAA allows "safety pilots" to log the time spent in the right seat as PIC time for the duration of time that the pilot in the left seat is wearing a view limiting device. Problem is: You are not applying for a job with the FAA! Many regional airlines do not accept safety pilot time as PIC time - and for good reason!

True Twin Time

The airlines are all too familiar with the tricks of the trade, and when their business is sending scores of people hurdling through the air at 450 miles per hour 7 miles above the earth, believe me, their most important concern is the safety of their passengers! 100 hours of multi engine time is not much to begin with, and if half of that time was spent basically riding along as a passenger, plane spotting for the other guy....that's not a lot of experience.

Ask yourself: The next time I fly somewhere in an airliner, how would I feel if I knew that the crew piloting that airplane were low time pilots who received their flight training from the cheapest guy in town and took every shortcut known to man to meet their employability requirements? Make sure you choose a facility that will give you the opportunity to do some real multi engine time building!

But Twin Time Is So Expensive! Right?

As the old saying goes: Where there is a will, there is a way.

So, your short on funds and short on multi engine hours? It's not the end of the world my friend! There are ways to build that time for less money...or no money - or - how about getting PAID to build multi engine time?

Most flight schools need multi engine flight instructors (MEIs). With the huge demand for pilots in the airline industry right now, keeping flight instructors around for very long is a challenge.

If you have your flight instructor certificate and a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a multi engine rating, then all you really need to build is 15 hours of multi engine PIC time, pass a multi engine instructor check-ride and you're set! Now you can have your multi engine time building program - and get paid for it!

You can also build multi engine time - possibly even FREE multi engine time by volunteering with some non-profit organizations. One such organization which has come to my attention is called Sky Ark, an organization which airlifts animals in crisis situations. According to their web site, pilots wishing to build multi engine time can do so in their Cessna 340A, and because this is a good cause - many pilots are able to fund all their flying from getting private donations. Additionally, if yous do pay all or part of your flying time yourself, you may be able to write off the costs on your taxes!

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