fearless fly,

Any multiengine plane will fly and turn in either direction regardless of which engines are out, but only if sufficient airspeed is maintained. As speed deteriorates, aerodynamic control and stability diminish, but the crooked pull of the asymmetric thrust remains. Maintaining control depends on maintaining airspeed. If control with an engine out is becoming difficult, lower the nose to increase airspeed until control becomes easy again. It’s just that simple.

After enough airspeed for good control is achieved by sufficiently pitching forward, the next issue is whether or not the plane will still climb, just hold altitude, or continuously descend, while flying at sufficient airspeed. The resulting vertical performance is determined by power, stability, control, weight, etc...

Regarding appropriate control inputs. Elevator is the most important input for maintaining directional control as explained above. Rudder counters asymmetric thrust directly, but unless the design has strong positive roll coupling with rudder, at least some aileron input must be included to control bank angle. Ailerons alone could be used control heading. Banking wings causes side slip, and side slip works against the vertical fin to yaw the nose. However, bank angle is large and drag is excessive when using aileron alone to fly straight with an engine out. A combination of rudder and aileron minimizes drag and gives the best vertical performance.

Stories about only being able to turn one way with an engine out are not correct. Many twins are not capable of turning towards the good engine AND maintaining altitude at the same time. This experience is what perpetuates that misconception. Flying with an engine out is not difficult but must be learned like any other new skill. To practice engine out flying, setup the throttles on separate channels so engines can be throttled individually during flight. Use the programmable mixing of a computer radio to arrange the throttle management as desired. Check out my posts and others on these additional threads:

Lost an Engine (and Lived to Tell About It)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3608113/tm.htm

Dual throttle setup with JR 10X

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3675964/tm.htm

When are you good enough for a twin

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3200543/tm.htm

Programming two throttles with a 9ZAP...help!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3380106/tm.htm

The Twinstar is a great multiengine trainer. Enjoy the challenge. Hope this helps.

Multiflyer