Navajo Down in Ankeny, IA

Cecil Chapman wrote:
Why is it again they have two?

Basically two fans give ya more 'zoom' WHEN both engines are running.

Beyond the cost, I've never found twins the least bit enticing (obviously
I'm talking about an airplane here grin/wink) - when you lose an engine in
a twin you have TWO emergencies; one is an engine out emergency, and the
other is the one created by the asymmetrical thrust when only one engine is
operating (God forbid it should be what they refer to as the critical engine
that goes out - will produce a REALLY nasty yaw among other things).


Timing is everything. Losing an engine in cruise or landing phase is no big
deal. You can trim the rudder pressure out easily enough. The airplane is easy
to control unless you get slow. Then you get to demonstrate Vmc.

Losing an engine in a twin is an emergency only if you're too low and too
slow... such as during take off or during climbout before you get any altitude
to speak of. Once you've got altitude and airspeed you're not in too bad a
shape. Will it get your attention? Of course. You will pucker a bit... but
it's not a real emergency. It's a cause for concern.

When I was flying part 135 we were expected to continue on to our destination if
we were within 100 miles of it. I wasn't too thrilled with the policy but I
wasn't the one who set it.

And yes, I've landed twins with one mill only. They're a real PITA to taxi.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE