Bob:

The most basic thing for an engine out is to recover control. On some, like your TwinStar or my C-3/10, it's a non-event. Others. like my Tiggerkitty, or a P-38, or a B-25, or... Anyway, lose an engine on one of these and you have stepped in deep doo-doo. The very first thing is chop the throttle. Recovery from an engine loss induced departure is almost impossible with the resulting off center thrust. If you are at a high air speed it's easier, but chopping the throttle is still advisable.

Get the nose pointed down and level the wings, let the dive help you regain airspeed. When the plane is stabilized gradually feed the power back in, and keep the plane in a descent provided you have altitude. Speed is your second best friend when you lose an engine with a twin, altitude is your best friend. As the power comes back on you will have to use the rudder to keep it flying straight, possibly a little aileron, different planes need more or less - it's due to the greater airflow over the wing with the running engine.

When you have the plane stabilized, land it. Many people will tell you never turn into the dead engine. This is bull. But I will advise you not to do it, a little mistake turning into the dead engine can become a big mistake very quickly. Save that for sometime when you have more engine out time, and feel more comfortable with it. For the moment make all your turns into the live engine, set up your approach, and land the airplane. Keep the air speed aas high as you feel you can land the plane. Cut the throttle the minute the wheels touch, let the rolling friction bleed your speed off. If the pattern at your field requires a turn into the dead engine, pull the power back and do the turn in a dive. After you are straight again, put some power back on.

Go fly your Twinstar, fill the left tank full, and put only enough fuel in the right tank to get up to a comfortable altitude. The best way to learn engine out is by flying engine out. And the Twinstar is an easy twin to learn on.

Bill.