George:

So long as both engines are pulling, a twin is no harder, or easier, than a single of similar size, weight, and layout.

The Top Flight C-47/DC-3 is not the ideal beginner twin, but it can be handled.

You've heard it all before, so I'll just mention a few things.

LEARN TO USE THE RUDDER. Sport flying with most singles doesn't need the rudder, but on a twin of any size you probably wont get the bird down safely after an engine out without using the rudder to maintain yaw control.

Time the engine run on the ground. If they run clean for five minutes, then a hiccup, and another three minutes for a total of eight minutes, ignore the last three, figure on five, and plan to be back on the ground after no more than three or three and a half minutes. Give yourself a healthy safety margin. And you don't need to spend a lot of time in the air on your first flights.

Did I mention that you need to use the rudder?

A good part of your run time check needs to be spent with the nose of the plane pointed straight up, making sure it wont go too lean under accelleration and high alpha. And this is more critical toward the end of the run, as the fuel has to be pulled further as the level goes down.

Remember the rudder.

If you do lose an engine at cruise power, it wont be too bad. The plane will bobble. Chop the power, nose it down, slowly feed power back in, using the rudder to keep it straight. After you gain experience you will be able to turn into the dead engine, but for now don't think about it. Just scream "DEAD STICK!" and turn gently into the running engine to get back to the runway. If you have to make a 270 turn do it, it's much safer than a 90 into the dead engine. And get it back down.

And you'll need to use the rudder.

When you lose an engine at a high power setting things get interesting. The TF C-47 will be inverted before you realize you've lost an engine. But don't fight it, if you try to roll it back you'll put the plane into the ground. The offset thrust will fight you until the engine quits. And the engine wont quit until the plane hits the ground. What you have to do is continue the roll in the same direction, and no, its not the natural reaction, just keep it rolling until it's back upright. While you're finishing the roll pull the power back. Then you'll be upright, at a low power setting, proceed as I said for cruise power engine loss.

With a twin you'll find you have to move the left stick sideways fairly often, learn to do it. It's called "Rudder" control.

How about it, Twinman George? Anything to add? Or a reference to your twin flying series?

Use the rudder, it's neeed on a twin.

Hope this helps. Enjoy.

Bill,

PS: Did I say anything about the rudder? wr.