Flight Time–Multi-engine Preparation

Saturday, June 8

The path to a flying career includes meeting many aviation milestones. The milestones are associated with either acquiring a particular certificate/rating or building a certain amount of time. I’m currently working on time milestones. One of those is total time, and another is time in a multi-engine aircraft. I have a little over 16 hours of multi-engine time, but most companies require a minimum of 25 hours. This led me on a search for a place to get those missing hours.

I first stopped at FIT to ask about building time in one of their Piper Seminoles. I was told that they no longer let non-students fly their planes because their instructors are too busy with their students. I guess that is a good thing, for them. So, I crossed the airport and visited Melbourne Flight Training about building time in their Beechcraft Duchess. They told me that they have special prices for time builders and that I could get a discount if I prepaid for 10, 25, or 50 hours. I said that I was interested in 10 hours. I filled out a form and they said they’d get back to me later.

Before I left, I asked if I could see the planes up close. I was then escorted onto the ramp, where I looked at two of the Duchesses that were available. To be honest, I was less than impressed with what I saw. The panels were quite old and lacking in modern equipment. I actually walked away thinking that I would not be enjoying flying these planes for ten hours.

Tuesday, June 11

I received a call from Melbourne Flight Training while I was at work and they left a voice message. I was too busy to call back.

Wednesday, June 12

I called Melbourne Flight Training and was told that I was approved to start building time in their Duchess. My first flight is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. When I got home, I emailed a copy of my driver’s license, pilot’s license, aviation medical, and passport. I will need to bring all of these items when I go Saturday. I also need to start reviewing multi-engine aircraft characteristics and brush up on instrument flying procedures. I figured that I might as well get my Instrument Proficiency Check during my ten hours. The way the weather is right now, I may get to fly in actual IFR conditions.