The Search for Multiengine Time

The challenge of getting quality multiengine time is a theme throughout the development of a professional pilot’s career.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 02:45 PM ET

Verified

How much multiengine time you need varies, but it is essential for many flight careers. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Multiengine pilot-in-command (PIC) time is crucial for corporate and airline careers, so prioritize quality, varied flight experience (like cross-country) over simply accumulating hours.
Accurately log your flight time according to FAR 61.51, ensuring you are actively manipulating controls, and be wary of questionable opportunities from instructors or ferry flights designed to build hours unethically.
Exercise caution regarding multiengine aircraft maintenance, as infrequently flown planes can have issues, and always trust your gut feeling about flight schools or time-building opportunities.

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If you are planning on a job in the corporate or airline world, you will need to have logged pilot in command (PIC) time in a multiengine aircraft. How much time you need varies by job. If you pay for it out of pocket, it will likely be among the most expensive time you log—so make sure you get your money’s worth.

Multiengine cross-country time is especially coveted, so plan for it. Several of my airport children (the pilots I have trained over the years) saved up their money for time-building programs. These are often put on seasonally in parts of the country known for good weather. The pilots spend a few weeks flying cross-country every day at 55 to 60 percent power. Alternatively, a few lucky ones have had a parent or a buddy who loaned them the use of a multiengine aircraft, and they shared the time with another pilot for the price of fuel.