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

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

Key Takeaways:

Pilot in command (PIC) time in a multiengine aircraft is crucial for corporate and airline jobs, and aspiring pilots should prioritize diverse, quality flight experience (e.g., cross-country, varied airports) over simply accumulating hours, ensuring time is logged correctly per regulations.
Multiengine instructors (MEIs) must log five PIC hours in a specific aircraft model to teach, which can create financial burdens or ethical dilemmas when instructors try to pass costs to students.
Pilots should be cautious and thoroughly vet time-building "opportunities" like ferry flights, as they may not be financially beneficial or fair.
Always prioritize aircraft maintenance and safety, being wary of seldom-flown "hangar queens" and trusting your gut regarding a flight school's integrity and aircraft airworthiness.

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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.