Uh oh why has the engine stopped and back to IFR

A worrying sight!

I have now completed my five initial DA42 VFR flights, which are really there to just familiarise us with flying a new aircraft type - especially one with an extra engine, retractable gear and is a whole lot faster.

The last three lessons were asymmetric (so practicing flying with an engine out), with a lot of emphasis placed on engine failures during critical stages of flight ie. takeoff/go around when we are in the most vulnerable stage (low speed, high power setting).

In the first of the three flights, we were just learning how to control and identify engine failures in various situations and were given some form of emergency where it was necessary to read through the Quick Reference Handbook and follow the procedures in there, which always led to the engine having to be shut down. When the engine stops it is "feathered", meaning that less drag is being created. This is because the engine is no longer windmilling through the air; when feathered the aircraft's performance increases and it is a lot easier to control. After flying around for a bit with one of the engines feathered, we had a go at the engine restart procedure - always a bonus when the engine comes back to life!

The second asymmetric flight focussed on performance during an engine failure. This included lowering the gear and putting flaps to landing, with one engine failed. We maintained Vyse, which is the best rate of climb with an engine out, in order to see the effect raising flap and gear had on the climb performance. Engine failures after take off were also involved, as was an engine failure whilst climbing at Vy.

Asymmetric circuits were last, which brought it all together. The instructor would fail an engine (simulated) after rotation and so I had to control the aircraft and identify the failed engine, before completing more checks and maintaing positive performance for a circuit to land. The lesson was pretty intense, although was only an hour long.

I am back in the simulators for six IFR flights now. My first was yesterday and was NDB tracking and holding; the others involve more NDB, ILS, emergencies and DME arcs. Once these are done, I'm back into the Twinstar to fly IFR routes in it - before returning again to VFR to prepare for my CPL. Busy times ahead!

These photos are taken by Christian - so thanks to him! 

Me taking off from NZRO

Climb out from NZRO

Turns out you roll pretty quickly if you do nothing when the engine fails...