Using the proper publications during the flight training process will help add to your checkride success, and give you all the confidence...

For decades, the flight instructor community lived by a recurring, high-stakes deadline. Every 24 calendar months, we’d check the back of our plastic certificates, see that looming expiration date, and scramble to complete a Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic (FIRC) or sign off enough students to keep our privileges alive. It was the "CFI expiration dance": and as of late 2024, the music has finally stopped. The FAA’s transition to Advisory Circular (AC) 61.65J marks one of t

If you are training for your Commercial Multi-Engine rating, you already know that the "Engine Failure After Takeoff" maneuver is the heavyweight champion of the checkride. It is the scenario every pilot hopes never happens in the real world, but every professional pilot must be prepared to handle with surgical precision. When that simulated failure happens: usually just as the gear is coming up and you’re transitioning to your climb: the difference between a "pass" and a "pi

The Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On is often called "the most fun checkride you’ll ever take." It’s short, it’s fast-paced, and for many pilots, it’s the gateway to the airlines. But don’t let the "add-on" label fool you. Because the syllabus is condensed: often completed in just a few days of accelerated flight training: it is incredibly easy to overlook the technical nuances that Examiners (DPEs) look for. If you’re wrapping up our Multi-Engine Mastery Week, you’ve already c

The checkride does not begin when the engine starts. It does not even begin when the oral exam starts. For a flight instructor, the checkride begins the moment you and your student sit down with the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) to review the paperwork. If the paperwork is wrong, the checkride is over before it begins. A paperwork rejection is more than just a scheduling headache; it is a professional failure that reflects poorly on the instructor’s attention to detail and

You’ve built your hours, mastered the single-engine commercial maneuvers, and now you’re standing at the threshold of the big leagues. Welcome to the final installment of Multi-Engine Mastery Week here at Ace Pilot Academy. Throughout this week, we’ve covered everything from Multi-Engine V-Speeds to the nuances of the PA-30 Twin Comanche. Today, we’re putting it all together. The Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On is often described as one of the most "fun" checkrides, but don't

For career-track aviators, the Commercial Multi-Engine (CME) Add-on is more than just a rating; it is the gateway to the airlines, corporate flight departments, and high-performance charter operations. Most pilots follow the traditional path: earning a Commercial Single-Engine Land (CSEL) certificate first, then "adding on" multi-engine privileges. This guide breaks down the transition from one engine to two. As part of our Multi-Engine Mastery Week , we are focusing on the t

The Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche is often described as the "pilot's light twin." For decades, it has served as the bridge between high-performance singles and the world of multi-engine aviation. Known for its efficiency, sleek lines, and honest handling, the PA-30 is a staple for career-focused aviators seeking to master multi-engine operations without the exorbitant fuel burns of larger platforms. As part of our Multi-Engine Mastery Week , this guide dives deep into the technic

In the cockpit of a high-performance aircraft like the Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, things happen fast. Between managing multi-engine systems, navigating complex airspace, and maintaining situational awareness, a pilot’s workload is significant. However, there is one skill that separates the amateur from the professional aviator before the wheels even leave the pavement: radio discipline. Radio communication is not merely a formality; it is a critical safety component. In busy

The transition from a single-engine aircraft to a multi-engine platform is one of the most significant milestones in a professional pilot’s career. It represents more than just a second throttle; it is a shift in mindset, aerodynamics, and system management. At Ace Pilot Academy, we recognize that the Commercial Multi-Engine (CME) Add-On is the bridge between being a general aviation pilot and a professional aviator. This guide serves as the capstone to our Multi-Engine Maste

Welcome to the grand finale of Multi-Engine Mastery Week . We’ve spent the last few days breaking down everything from Multi-Engine V-Speeds to the nuances of the Twin Comanche . Today, we’re crossing the finish line. The Multi-Engine Add-On is often described as the "easiest" checkride you’ll ever take, but that reputation is a double-edged sword. Because it’s a relatively short course: usually 10 to 15 hours of flight time: complacency kills. DPEs (Designated Pilot Examine

We’ve all been there. You’re leveled off, the trim is set, and with a satisfying click , "George" (the autopilot) takes the controls. You can finally relax, check your iPad, and maybe scan the horizon for traffic without having to fight the yoke. In modern aviation, automation is a godsend. It reduces fatigue, increases situational awareness, and makes long cross-country flights manageable. But there is a growing problem in the flight decks of America, and the FAA has noticed

Welcome to the finale of Multi-Engine Mastery Week . We’ve spent the last few days breaking down everything from V-speeds and the nuances of the PA-30 Twin Comanche to the pros and cons of accelerated training. If you’ve followed along, you’re already ahead of the curve. Today, we’re putting it all together. The Commercial Multi-Engine (CME) Add-On is arguably one of the most rewarding ratings you’ll earn. For many, it’s the gateway to the airlines, corporate flight departmen

The transition from a single-engine aircraft to a multi-engine platform is one of the most significant leaps in a pilot’s career. It isn't just about managing more horsepower or having a backup engine; it’s the formal introduction to professional standardization. For those pursuing airline pilot training , the multi-engine rating serves as the bridge between general aviation and the flight deck of a Part 121 or 135 operator. In the world of commercial aviation, "standardizati

For many aviators, multi-engine time building is the final bridge between being a "student" and becoming a professional. It is the phase where you accumulate the hours required for the ATP certificate or a competitive regional airline application. However, there is a massive difference between logging 100 hours of multi-engine time and gaining 100 hours of multi-engine experience . At Ace Pilot Academy, we see pilots fall into the "time-building trap" every day: focusing pure

Walk into any modern flight school today, and you’ll likely see a fleet of aircraft outfitted with shiny, high-definition glass cockpits. The G1000 has become the industry standard, and for good reason. It’s sleek, it provides an incredible amount of information, and it mimics the environment of a modern airliner. But there’s a growing problem in the flight training industry: Automation Addiction. As we move through 2026, the FAA and major airlines are noticing a disturbing t

Welcome to the final installment of Multi-Engine Mastery Week . Over the last few days, we’ve broken down V-speeds, explored the nuances of the Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche , and debated the merits of accelerated training. Today, we focus on the finish line: the Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On Checkride. For the career-focused aviator, this rating is a gateway to the airlines, corporate flight departments, and cargo operations. Unlike your initial private or commercial certificat

Welcome to day two of our "Training Week" series. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely realized that a single engine can only take your career so far. To move into the left seat of a jet or secure a high-paying charter gig, the multi-engine rating is the non-negotiable next step. Most pilots approach the commercial multi engine add-on the same way they approached their Private Pilot Certificate: one or two lessons a week, spread out over three months. In the world of profes

The multi-engine add-on is often the most exciting rating a pilot pursues. It represents a transition from single-engine simplicity to the complex world of professional aviation. However, many candidates approach the checkride with a "private pilot" mindset, leading to avoidable errors that can result in a notice of disapproval. At Ace Pilot Academy, we see students transition through our Multi-Engine Training Series daily. Based on FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) a

It is Friday, April 10, 2026. If you are a pilot sitting on a stack of 1,500 hours that you built by flying circles in a Cessna 172 on a clear day, you have a problem. The industry has moved on. The "magic ticket" that everyone talked about five years ago: that 1,500-hour total time mark: isn't the automatic job offer it used to be. The reality of the 2026 pilot market is simple: Airlines are full of applicants with hours. They are starving for applicants with talent. Being a