Finding Vmc

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Monday, August 24, 2020 at 01:33 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots describe the severe and often underestimated danger of V_MC snap rolls in light twin-engine aircraft, suggesting initial training may not adequately convey the real consequences of turning toward a dead engine.
Multiple pilots emphasize that "cleared for the approach" does not automatically clear an aircraft below the Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA) or into terrain, underscoring the critical need for vertical situational awareness, careful descent planning, and clarifying ATC instructions to prevent Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).
Flying inherently carries at least a "medium" level of risk, as truly "low-risk" or "risk-free" scenarios are not achievable due to factors like engine failure, even if improbable.

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Thank you for an informative and (in my opinion) long overdue article on V_MC and its associated hazards in light twin-engine aircraft (“Is V_MC Fixed Or Variable?” August 2020).

The closest I have come to my demise in my 47 years of flying occurred many years ago in a light twin (Beech Baron). As a young pilot with a relatively recent multi-engine rating, I had been given the usual training as described in your article. The rule to not turn toward the dead engine promised “loss of directional control” as its consequence. As an engineer by training, that seemed somewhat vague, but what were the chances that it would become an issue?