Flying a multi-engine aircraft is a very challenging but rewarding experience.

Usually, the multi-engine rating is an "add-on" to your existing single-engine pilot certificate. However, individual circumstances, such as is the case with rated military pilots, may lead you down a non-standard path to obtaining your multi-engine ratings prior to your single-engine ratings.

For a simple add-on rating, there are no written tests or minimum flight time requirements. Only the oral and practical examinations are required. However, if you wish to add a Commercial, Instrument or ATP rating to your existing pilot certificate, you must first pass the appropriate written test(s) prior to beginning training. Our staff is knowledgeable of all FAA rating requirements and can advise you as to the best options for your training.

Here are the prerequisites to begin multi-engine training:

Prerequisites

Our curriculum emphasizes the unique aerodynamic characteristics associated with flying multi-engine aircraft. As you might expect, engine-out flight characteristics and performance are emphasized. In fact, it is likely you will spend more time flying our Baron with only one engine operating! Unlike the training provided by other multi-engine flight schools who train you to the minimum proficiency to pass the FAA checkride, we train and expect you to perform at a level that far exceeds the minimum standard.

All evaluation areas contained in the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) are integrated into our training curriculum. These areas include:

Training

The cost varies depending on your preparation prior to beginning training, your current skill level and your ability to build upon those existing skill sets when learning new skills. The minimum cost is $5,000 plus the examiner fee. Price includes:

Any additional training beyond the minimum is charged at $525/hour of engines running time and includes the instructor.

Additional ground instruction is $85/hour.

Our training curriculum is intensive and fast paced. Usually, your training is completed within 2-3 days.

Time Building

If you need multi-engine time in order to meet corporate or airline minimums, WE CAN HELP! Our time-building program puts you in the seat as PIC with our instructor along for the ride. Unlike other time building programs, you will be the sole manipulator of the controls for all flights and will not be a “safety pilot.” Time building is $450/hour including fuel and instructor.

When evaluating your multi-engine needs, think about PIC time in a Baron vs other piston twins scarcely available for rent. Need we say more!?

A Beechcraft Baron A55 is used for all training and your checkride. The aircraft is equipped with a Garmin GPS WAAS, and dual Aspen 1000 flight displays with moving map, approach plates, traffic and terrain. Most multi-engine training locations use the Piper Seminole or Beechcraft Duchess for training. If your goal is to become a professional pilot, think about how many corporate Seminoles you see flying around. Then consider the number of corporate Barons gracing airports around the country. The fact that you completed your multi-engine training in a Baron will make you much more desirable for that first commercial pilot position!

Your training will be conducted from the Mount Airy-Surry County Airport (MWK) in Mount Airy, NC which is in northern NC near the VA state line just north of Winston Salem and Greensboro.

MWK is a small uncontrolled airport which makes it an ideal training location. Most significant is the airport size and location which enables you to spend more time flying and less time taxiing and droning. MWK has two GPS approaches, and with the Greensboro (GSO) and Winston Salem (INT) airports just minutes away, you have the opportunity to quickly fly all types of approaches in all types of airspace.

Mount Airy/Surry County Airport

Read Professional Pilot Magazine's feature including insights from Brinkley. (p. 26)

Brinkley Church is a career pilot with over 30 years experience as a professional pilot. He is a former C-130 pilot with the NC Air National Guard where he flew combat missions into Bosnia, various humanitarian relief missions and also fought forest fires as a MAFFS co-pilot. Brinkley also has over 25 years experience as a corporate jet pilot and holds multiple jet type ratings ranging from Citation and Lear Jets to Falcons and Gulfstream.

As a distinguished graduate from the US Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program, Brinkley knows what it means to aim high and to excel. You can expect him to be fair but tough. He does not accept the minimum standard as satisfactory and will expect you to have the same attitude.

Brinkley is not building time in hopes of landing that corporate or airline dream job. He has already attained his aviation career goals. At this stage in his life, he wants to share his experience and knowledge with the next line of future professional aviators.