Well, having now been flying my first multi engine airplane for six months or so, here is what I have learned:

There is absolutely no difference between singles and multis.... as long as the engines are synchronized and none of them stop.

Pretty simple really. The plane really files pretty well, almost like a trainer (as long as you are paying close attention and not getting in trouble). I have had multi engine related issues four times now. The first was on my initial taxi testing and it was the middle engine that died so it really had no effect. In fact, I accidentally took off and flew several hundred feet on two engines.

The second time was on my first real flight. The left engine died on landing at about two feet of altitude and at idle so there was no real effect.

The third time was a killer. I had finally gotten the plane well balanced and sorted out and it was flying great. I even looped it twice. My landing pass was too high so I decided to go around. I floored the throttle and the left engine died. From 15 feet, the plane snapped and went straight down. I managed to pull out but it popped up and did a stall turn and came in nose first. Much damage ensued. I had expected a flame out of the right or left engine to be of minimal import considering the presence of the center engine, and maybe if the engine died at cruise rather than full acceleration, it would not be too bad. I don't really want to find out though.

The fourth time was minor. The engines were not sync'd and the right engine was too strong. I thought it was the rudder so I kept trimming it until it flew relatively straight but it was squirrelly. When I landed, the rudder was about five degrees right. I didn't have my tach with me but I am sure that was the problem.



The plane is a 1918 Caproni ca.42 and the engines are Saito .30s. I have three throttle servos with the pusher on the throttle channel, left on gear and right on spoiler. The latter two are mixed to throttle.