Multi-Engine Checkride Prep
Grab the free Multi-Engine Checkride Readiness Checklist
The same DPE-built prep list — straight to your inbox.
Walking into your multi-engine checkride is a lot less stressful when you’ve studied exactly what the examiner will ask. Ace Pilot Academy’s checkride prep is built by a veteran aviation instructor and standardization leader with experience in practical-test and instructor-standardization environments — so you prepare for the real oral and flight, not a generic study guide.
“I’m a pilot who’s been out of the game for 10 years. This has been a very structured guide to multi-engine flying. I’m out looking for job opportunities, and this study guide will really go a long way.”
— Teddy, Multi-Engine Pilot
What the multi-engine checkride actually tests
The multi-engine add-on is graded against the applicable FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS), and it comes in two parts — the oral and the flight. There’s no separate knowledge (written) test for the class-rating add-on; the examiner evaluates whether you truly understand the airplane and can fly it safely on one engine.
The oral
- Vmc — what it is, the certification factors that raise or lower it, and why it matters
- The critical engine — how you determine it and the aerodynamics behind it
- Multi-engine V-speeds — Vmc, Vsse, Vyse (blue line), and Vxse, and how you use each
- Single-engine performance — zero sideslip, service ceiling, and drift-down
- Aircraft systems — propellers and feathering, fuel crossfeed, and the systems examiners probe
The flight
- Engine failure on takeoff and after liftoff
- The Vmc demonstration — setup, recognition, and recovery
- Single-engine approach and landing
- Clean emergency-checklist flows, flown to the numbers
How to prepare the way examiners actually evaluate you
Most applicants who struggle don’t struggle because they lack knowledge — they memorized answers instead of understanding them. The fix is to learn each concept well enough to teach it, fly the published speeds precisely, and verbalize your decisions so the examiner can see you’re in command. Run a full mock oral against the ACS in your final week, arrive organized, and know your documents cold.
DPE-built prep that mirrors the real checkride
Ace Pilot Academy breaks the toughest checkride topics into short, animated video lessons you can watch anywhere — built backward from exactly what examiners expect. Pick the path that fits where you are:
- Multi-Engine Training Series — 14 video lessons, quizzes, and PDF study guides ($79)
- Complete Checkride Package — the training series plus Jeff’s DPE checkride briefings (best value)
- Free preview — sample the course before you enroll
Every course is backed by a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Free multi-engine checkride prep guides
Written by a DPE, these guides walk through the exact topics you’ll be tested on:
- How to Pass Your Multi-Engine Checkride: A DPE’s Readiness Guide
- Multi-Engine Checkride: The Complete Topic Checklist
- Inside the Examiner’s Mind: Navigating the ACS
- Mastering the Vmc Demonstration: A DPE’s Guide
- The Top 5 Checkride Mistakes in a Multi-Engine Aircraft
- Browse all checkride prep articles →
Multi-engine checkride FAQ
Is there a written test for the multi-engine add-on?
No. There is no separate aeronautical knowledge (written) test for the multi-engine class-rating add-on — you complete an oral and a flight practical test with an examiner.
What’s the hardest part of the multi-engine oral?
For most applicants it’s explaining Vmc — not just listing the factors, but explaining why each one affects it. Understanding the aerodynamics, rather than memorizing a list, is what separates a confident applicant from a shaky one.
How long is the multi-engine checkride?
The oral and flight together typically run a few hours, depending on your ratings and the examiner. Arriving organized and prepared keeps it moving.
How do I prepare for the multi-engine checkride?
Study each ACS topic until you can teach it, fly the published V-speeds precisely, run a mock oral in your final week, and walk in with your documents and aircraft paperwork organized.
Pass your checkride with an experienced instructor in your corner
Study the exact topics your examiner will test — built by an FAA DPE, mapped to the ACS, and backed by a 7-day money-back guarantee.