Multi Engine training

Within the last week I started my MECIR training on the Diamond DA42 twinstar. I have so far completed two flights with a whole lot of theory to go along with it. My FCOM (Flight Crew Operating Manual) alone is 64 pages. During the week our group has been getting mass briefs on asymmetric flight and all the issues that come along with it. For those not aware asymmetric flight occurs when an engine fails in flight or on the ground causing thrust to come from one of the engines. The issues with a multi engine aircraft with a failed engine are more serious than with a single engine aircraft. This might sound strange to some, but with a singe engine aircraft the thrust is generated from the nose of the aircraft which puts the aircraft in relatively no danger apart from selecting a suitable field below. Provided the aircraft is trimmed to maintain the best glide speed it is a mangable situation. With a multi engine aircraft the thrust is generated to the left and right of the fuselage and a subsequent failure of an engine has bad results if not managed correctly. A failed engine causes a lot of excess drag to one side due to a windmilling propeller which produces a yawing moment, if that is not managed the secondary effect of yaw is roll which will then turn into a spiral dive.

To aid the pilot you are able to 'feather' the propeller which turns the blade of the propeller into the relative airflow and stops the wind milling which stops the excess drag. However before we feather there is a lot of issues prior to that which need to be managed to ensure you confirm the correct engine has failed. The memory checklist is mixture up, pitch up, power up, gear up, flaps up, identify, confirm then feather. Believe it or not, pilots have feathered a perfectly good engine in mistaking the engine that failed. You can see how the situation is being drastically made worse. You may as well start saying your prayers.

I'll keep you posted on my progress!