Multi-Engine Rating
Add a Multi-Engine Rating to the certificate you already hold. No commercial certificate required. Private pilots can add the rating and step up to faster, more capable twins for personal and family travel.
- Private Pilot add-on, no commercial required
- Fly twins like the Baron and Seneca
- Complex endorsement included
- No written test required
What Can You Do With a Multi-Engine Rating?
Open doors to faster, more capable aircraft and professional opportunities
Fly Twin-Engine Aircraft
Pilot twins like the Beechcraft Travel Air and Baron, Piper Seneca, and Cessna 310. More speed, more capability, and more range for personal and family travel.
Engine-Out Safety
Multi-engine aircraft can continue flying if one engine fails. You'll master single-engine procedures and Vmc awareness.
Career Advancement
Required for airline careers and most corporate flying jobs. Multi-engine time is highly valued by employers.
Faster Travel
Multi-engine aircraft are typically faster than singles. Cover more distance in less time on your cross-country flights.
Build Multi Time
Start logging multi-engine PIC time. Airlines and corporate operators look for multi-engine experience.
More Passengers & Cargo
Most multi-engine aircraft carry more passengers and cargo than single-engine aircraft. Greater utility for travel.
Requirements & Prerequisites
Multi-Engine Rating has straightforward requirements
Pilot Certificate
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
- Single-engine land or sea rating
Medical Certificate
- Valid FAA Medical Certificate
- Class depends on how you'll use the rating
No Minimum Hours
- No minimum flight hours required
- Training time varies by proficiency
No Written Test
- No FAA knowledge test required
- Oral exam covers multi-engine knowledge
The Multi-Engine Rating is one of the most straightforward add-on ratings. You only need a Private Pilot certificate to start, and our accelerated program completes it in 3 days.
What's Included in Your Training
A streamlined program designed to get you multi-engine proficient and checkride ready
Ground School
Multi-engine aerodynamics and systems
- Multi-engine aerodynamics
- Vmc and engine-out theory
- Aircraft systems (fuel, electrical, props)
- Weight and balance considerations
- Multi-engine performance charts
- Emergency procedures
Flight Training
Hands-on multi-engine flying
- Normal multi-engine operations
- Complex airplane operations (gear and prop)
- Engine failure recognition
- Single-engine flight
- Vmc demonstration
- Single-engine approaches
- Emergency procedures
Checkride Prep
Preparation for your multi-engine checkride
- Oral exam preparation
- Systems knowledge review
- Maneuvers to ACS standards
- Mock checkrides
- Final stage check
Key Milestones
First Multi Flight
Day 1Experience twin-engine flying
Engine-Out Work
Day 2Master Vmc and engine failure procedures
Complex Endorsement
Day 2-3Gear and prop systems signed off
Checkride
Day 3Fly your checkride at the end of day 3; the DPE is already scheduled
Two Ways to Earn It
Same training, same Travel Air, same standards. Pick the pace that fits your life.
3-Day Accelerated
Up to 8 hours of dual training, 4 hours of ground school, and your complex endorsement in one focused block. You finish with your checkride at the end of day 3; we'll have the DPE scheduled for you. Need extra time? Additional hours are billed at our hourly rates. Checkride fees and taxes not included.
Best for: pilots who can clear the calendar and want the rating done.
Self-Paced
The same training spread across the schedule that works for you, billed hourly as you go.
Best for: training around work, or taking the twin at your own tempo.
Transparent Pricing
3-Day Accelerated Multi-Engine Training for one fixed price
3-Day Accelerated Program
$3,495Prefer self-paced? Pay as you go at $395/hour for the Travel Air plus $65/hour for your instructor.
Cost does not include checkride (DPE) fees or taxes. Offered as an add-on to your Private or Commercial certificate. Prefer self-paced? Train at $395/hour for the Travel Air plus $65/hour for your instructor. Need extra time beyond the accelerated program? Additional hours are billed at those same hourly rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Multi-Engine Rating
How long does it take to get a Multi-Engine Rating?
Our accelerated program is built to be completed in 3 days: up to 8 hours of dual training with an experienced instructor plus 4 hours of ground school. There's no FAA minimum hour requirement for the rating, so the streamlined format gets you multi-engine proficient and checkride ready quickly. Prefer to spread it out? Self-paced training at our standard hourly rates is available too.
Do I need to take a written test?
No! The Multi-Engine Rating is one of the few ratings that doesn't require an FAA knowledge test. All the knowledge testing is done during the oral portion of your practical test.
What aircraft will I train in?
You'll train in our Beechcraft Travel Air, a proven multi-engine trainer from the same family as the Baron. Its docile handling and honest single-engine characteristics make it an excellent teaching platform, and because it has a conventional critical engine, you'll learn real-world Vmc and engine-out management skills that transfer directly to the larger twins you'll fly later in your career.
What is Vmc and why is it important?
Vmc is the minimum controllable airspeed with one engine inoperative. Below this speed, you cannot maintain directional control if an engine fails. Understanding and respecting Vmc is critical to safe multi-engine flying, and it's a major focus of training.
Will I actually shut down an engine in flight?
During training, we simulate engine failures by reducing power to idle; we don't actually shut down engines except in rare circumstances. You'll learn to identify, verify, and manage engine failures while always maintaining a safe margin above Vmc.
Should I get my Multi-Engine Rating before or after my Commercial?
You don't need a Commercial certificate at all: the Multi-Engine Rating adds straight onto your Private. If you are pursuing a career, either order works. Many students get their Commercial Single-Engine first, then add Multi-Engine; others combine them. Airline-bound pilots eventually want both Commercial Multi-Engine and Multi-Engine Instrument.
Can I add Instrument privileges to my Multi-Engine Rating?
If you already have an Instrument Rating in single-engine aircraft, you can add Multi-Engine Instrument privileges. This requires additional training in multi-engine IFR operations and a separate checkride. We offer this as an add-on.
How much multi-engine time do airlines want?
Requirements vary, but most regional airlines want to see some multi-engine time; even 25-50 hours helps. As you progress in your career, you'll build multi-engine time quickly. The Multi-Engine Rating is just the first step.
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Free Multi-Engine Planning Session
Tell us your certificates, hours, and goals. A multi-engine instructor will reach out within one business day to map your fastest path to the rating.
How We Can Help
- Get your questions answered by a real pilot
- Schedule a tour of our facility at KDSM
- Map out your training timeline and costs
- Talk through financing options
Connect With Admissions
We'll reach out within one business day
Ready for Twins? Schedule Training
Start your multi-engine training
Multi-engine training is focused and efficient. Our accelerated program runs just 3 days. Let's get you scheduled and flying twins.
- Ground school materials
- Flight training in Beechcraft Travel Air
- Checkride preparation
- DPE scheduling assistance
Multi-engine training can be completed as an intensive course or spread over several weeks based on your schedule.