Multi Engine Rating - Requirements | Eligibility | Cost

5 min read

A Multi-Engine Rating allows a pilot to fly an aircraft with more than one engine. Both Commercial Pilot License holders and Private Pilot License holders can get this rating endorsed on their license by DGCA. In India, the rating is issued by DGCA provided the basic requirements are met and a check ride has been passed by the student.

What is a Multi Engine Aircraft?

A multi-engine aircraft has two or more engines. The aircraft is usually able to fly with one engine operative under emergency conditions.

Why is Multi Engine Rating Important?

A multi-engine rating is the most important endorsement you should get on your CPL license in order to become employable. The rating is important mainly because:

  • Airline Requirements: Most airlines in India operate multi-engine aircraft and hence it becomes an important eligibility criterion for job vacancies.

  • Type Rating Requirement: A multi-engine rating is a requirement for Type Rating on the Airbus A320. For Boeing 737, even though the company does not require a multi-engine rating, DGCA requires pilots to have a multi-engine rating in order to get Boeing 737 endorsed on their license.

  • Helps with Type Rating Later: Imagine switching from a small Cessna 172 to a Boeing 737. Sounds like a big change, right? This is why a multi-engine rating is recommended to help you build a base for easier learning of the concepts of the Airbus A320 or a similar aircraft which requires a type rating.

Multi Engine Rating Requirements/Eligibility in India

  • A valid CPL or PPL: A valid CPL or a PPL license is required. Training can be started on a Student Pilot License, but you need a PPL or a CPL license for endorsement.

  • Valid Class 1 or Class 2 Medical: Depends on whether you are getting the rating for a PPL or a CPL.

  • RTR and FRTOL (for CPL holders)

  • Current flying currency requirements as per DGCA

  • Hours: 10 (as per CARs Section 7 Series B Part 18)

  • Type Rating (Airbus A318 or higher) Requirements for Multi Engine Rating: 25 hours (out of which not less than 15 on aircraft and not more than 10 on simulator)

Even though DGCA requires 10 hours on a multi-engine aircraft for an endorsement of a multi-engine rating, 25 hours as stated above are required for a type rating on a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A318 or higher in India. This is why FTOs in India make you fly as per the requirements of airlines and type rating to make you future-ready.

Even for job vacancies of popular airlines such as Air India, Akasa Air, and Indigo, you must fulfil these requirements in order to be considered for the vacancy.

Cost of Multi Engine Rating:

The cost varies depending on the aircraft and flight school.

Cost: 55k INR - 65k INR per hour.

Students usually get 15 hours on a multi-engine aircraft. So it should cost you (55k-65k INR) * 15 = 8.25 lakh rupees to 9.75 lakh rupees.

Check Ride Cost: 1-2 lakh rupees

Simulator Cost: 5-10K INR per hour. If you are doing the rating to fulfil type rating and airline requirements, it will cost you 50k INR to 1 lakh rupees.

Total: The average total combining the cost of training, check ride, and simulator should cost you 10 lakh rupees to 14 lakh rupees in India.

Timeline: 15-45 days! The timeline depends on various factors such as weather, availability of aircraft and maintenance. Students usually complete the rating in 30 days along with simulator lessons while some students take up to 30 months.

Job Opportunities

Multi-engine rating adds a base for job opportunities. Some of these include

Multi-engine Instructor: If you have an instructor rating, you can become an instructor for a multi-engine aircraft.

Charter Jobs or Joyrides: Some FTOs offer joyrides on multi-engine aircraft on a per hour basis as well as charter jobs for transport of goods and research purposes.

Airline Opportunities: For fresh CPL vacancies, airlines prefer candidates who already have a multi-engine rating. Some Airlines also have multi-engine rating as a pre-requisite to apply for the vacancy.

Tip: Not every school offers multi-engine rating in India. Some schools will make you complete commercial pilot license training without a multi-engine rating. We recommend choosing a school which has multi-engine aircraft training as a part of the training curriculum to save money on extra hours. The hours of multi-engine rating training in India can be counted towards the requirements of a CPL license.

If I did my multi engine rating abroad, do I have to do the check rides again in India?

No, you do not need to give the check rides again in India provided the check rides were conducted according to the standards of DGCA. You can contact an FTO in India to get the latest check ride requirements and the marking PDF. Give it to your examiner and ask the examiner to mark on that too. Get it stamped by the certified examiner.

If the check rides were not conducted according to the standards of DGCA, you need to give the check rides again in India.

If your currency expires, then also you need to give the check rides again in India.

What's the best aircraft for multi-engine rating in India?

Tecnam P2006T is one of the most popular multi-engine aircraft in India, followed by DA-42. These aircraft are widely available across India. In case of unusual situations like limited examiners in your current FTO or the aircraft in your FTO going for maintenance, you can still go to another school to resume your training. These are considered some of the safest choices for multi-engine endorsement.

What if I did my multi engine rating abroad on an aircraft which is not available in India?

This is a risky step. You need to do 10 hours again on another multi-engine aircraft available in India in this case. We recommend you choose an aircraft which is widely available in India. Avoid the ones which have limited availability or limited examiners. For example, there is only one Cessna 310 in India. There are limited examiners for PA-34.