DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
An Amazing Experience with Essence Flight Academy and CFI Joseph!! Flying with them was such a memorable experience! From the moment I arrived, everything...
Multi-Engine Rating · Simulator First · Van Nuys KVNY
Multi-Engine Rating in About a Week — Simulator First.
Days one and two are in the FAA-approved Redbird MCX full-motion simulator, drilling engine failures and Vmc until the responses are automatic. That is why 8 hours in the Piper Seminole is enough. $5,100 fixed cost, DPE checkride scheduled in advance, everything included.
Complete course cost
$5,100
Fixed cost — accelerated 7-day course. No hourly surprises, no drip-fed add-ons.
Total log time
10 hrs
8 hours in the Piper Seminole plus 2 hours in the FAA-approved full-motion simulator.
Piper Seminole twin time
8 hrs
Real multi-engine flight time in the industry-standard twin trainer — flown after the engine-out drills are already automatic.
Typical completion
3–5 days
Inside a single 7-day week — checkride Saturday or Sunday, booked in advance.
Multi-engine training near you in Los Angeles
How to Get Your Multi-Engine Rating at Van Nuys Airport — Fast, Safe, Affordable Training
Looking to earn your multi-engine rating near you in Los Angeles? At Los Angeles Flight School, based at the conveniently located Van Nuys Airport, our accelerated multi-engine training program starts on the ground. Your first two days are flown in the Redbird MCX full-motion simulator, an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device with a 210° wraparound visual, three-axis electric motion and an enclosed cockpit configured as a Seminole. That is where the emergency work happens: engine failures, Vmc, asymmetric thrust and single-engine decision-making, repeated until the responses come without thinking. Then you fly 8 hours in the Piper Seminole — you build the reflexes in the simulator and prove them in the airplane.
Why the Emergency Work Happens in the Simulator First
An engine failure just above Vmc is the scenario every multi-engine syllabus is built around, and it is the one thing you cannot safely rehearse over and over in a real twin. In the airplane an instructor has to set it up at altitude with margin, and you get a handful of attempts before fuel and fatigue end the lesson. In the Redbird MCX there is nothing to protect. The failure can arrive gear-down on short final, be reset, and arrive again — with three-axis motion, so your feet learn what asymmetric thrust actually feels like instead of reading about it. By the time you first take the Seminole up on Wednesday, identify, verify, feather is muscle memory rather than a checklist you are still looking for.
It is also why 8 hours of twin time is enough. The FAA sets no flight-hour minimum for a multi-engine class add-on: 14 CFR 61.63(c) requires a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor and a passed practical test, it specifies no training-time requirement, and no additional knowledge test is needed for a pilot who already holds an airplane rating at that certificate level. Proficiency is the standard, so the emergencies are drilled where they can be repeated, and the aircraft hours go to the ACS maneuver profile and the checkride.
Los Angeles Flight School is one of the most highly reviewed flight schools in Los Angeles, with hundreds of 5-star Google and Yelp reviews from students who praise our professional instructors, supportive environment, and exceptional safety standards. Our multi-engine add-on rating course is fully accelerated, allowing most students to complete the training in just 3–5 days, with the DPE checkride scheduled in advance, so there's no delay in earning your rating once you're ready. This fast-paced format is ideal for commercial pilot candidates, flight instructors seeking MEI certification, or any pilot looking to expand their career opportunities.
Whether you're upgrading your certificate or expanding your qualifications, we make the process smooth, structured, and enjoyable. Book your free in-person consultation at Van Nuys Airport today, and get started with Los Angeles' most trusted and efficient multi-engine flight training program. Our expert team is ready to guide you from your first engine start to your final checkride — and beyond.
$5,100 fixed cost
10 hrs total log time
Piper Seminole twin
Redbird MCX full-motion sim
Days 1–2 in the full-motion sim
Checkride scheduled in advance
Private or Commercial add-on
Itemized · What's included
Every hour, every line item — one fixed number
One fixed price for the entire accelerated rating. Here's exactly what the $5,100 Multi-Engine Program buys you.
Fixed Cost — Accelerated 7-Day Course
8 Hours
2 Hours
10 Hours
All 10 Hours
2 Hours
Included
Included
Included
Included
Multi-Engine Program for Private or Commercial Add-On
Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Piper Seminole + Redbird MCX full-motion simulator · 3–5 training days inside one Monday-start week
Running total
$0
Logged Flight Hours
Two line items. Together they are the whole of your log time.
✈Multi-engine flight time, Piper Seminole
Real twin time with your MEI — engine-out work, Vmc demos and the full checkride profile.
+FAA-approved full-motion simulator
Redbird MCX full-motion AATD, configured as a twin — loggable, and built into the syllabus.
=Total log time
8 in the Seminole plus 2 in the Redbird. Nothing else on this page adds to this number.
The Same 10 Hours, Described
How the 10 hours above are taught — not extra hours.
◆Dual instruction, aircraft & simulator
Every one of the 10 logged hours is flown one-on-one with an FAA-certified MEI, never a group class. The same 10 hours, not 10 more.
Ground Time — Not Log Time
On the ground, outside the 10 logged hours.
▤Ground school, pre/post flight briefings
Twin systems, multi-engine aerodynamics and oral prep woven into every briefing. Ground instruction is not flight time, so it is not part of the 10 hours logged.
Included In The Fixed Price
No hourly add-ons.
✓DPE checkride scheduled in advance
Your examiner is booked before your course begins — no months waiting on a DPE.
✓Checkride prep & oral review
Full oral review and a mock checkride the day before the practical test.
✓Piper Seminole aircraft & fuel
Aircraft, fuel and Redbird MCX simulator sessions — all inside the fixed price.
✓Training materials & briefings
Everything you need for the week, plus one-on-one MEI guidance in every session.
Complete course cost
$5,100
Fixed price. No hourly surprises · checkride scheduled in advance.
Total log time
8 Seminole + 2 Redbird MCX = 10
All 10 are flown dual with an MEI. The 2 ground hours are briefing time on top, not log time.
Payment plan
$2,500 down + 2 monthly payments of $1,300
Financing available up to 5 years · soft credit check · no co-signer required. See Financing Options
Prerequisites: a current Private or Commercial pilot certificate (single-engine land) and a valid FAA medical. The rating is added to whichever certificate you already hold. There is no written exam for the multi-engine add-on (14 CFR 61.63(c)(4)), and the FAA sets no minimum training time for an additional class rating (14 CFR 61.63(c)(3)) — the 10 logged hours above are what this course includes, not a regulatory floor. DPE examiner fee is billed separately by the examiner.
4.9
★★★★★
4.9 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ verified reviews
Verified · Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)
Verified · Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)
2017
Flying since
7 days
Open weekly
1-on-1
MEI instruction
KVNY
Home base
Try the twin first
Not ready to commit to the full week? Get in the left seat of the Piper Seminole with an MEI, start both engines, and fly the twin over Los Angeles.
$499
Multi-Engine Discovery Flight · one-on-one with an MEI · credits 100% toward your training if you enrol within 24 hours
Book the $499 Twin Discovery Flight
One number, broken open
What Your 10 Logged Hours Are Made Of
Blue = Piper Seminole · Gold = Redbird MCX full-motion simulator
Read the gold bar again: your first two hours happen on a full-motion, FAA-approved AATD before you ever burn a drop of fuel. Engine failures, Vmc awareness and asymmetric thrust get drilled until they're automatic — which is exactly why 8 hours in the Seminole is enough to walk into a checkride at the end of the week. The FAA sets no minimum training time for an additional class rating (14 CFR 61.63(c)(3)), so the 10 hours are what this course includes, not a regulatory floor.
Starts Every Monday · Checkride Saturday or Sunday
Your Multi-Engine Rating in Three Steps
Three to five days of training, inside one Monday-start week. The 3–5 days are training days, not the length of your stay. The week runs Monday to the weekend because your DPE checkride is booked for the Saturday or Sunday at the end of it — so plan the week off, and expect to fly on three to five of the weekdays in it.
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Training days — you fly on 3 to 5 of these
Checkride weekend — DPE booked in advance
01
Step 1
MON – TUE
Redbird MCX Full-Motion Sim
You start on the ground — in a full-motion, FAA-approved AATD configured as a twin. Engine failures, Vmc awareness, asymmetric thrust, and systems work, repeated until they're automatic, with no engine time on the clock.
- ✓Twin systems & multi-engine aerodynamics ground
- ✓Engine-out procedures and emergency drills
- ✓210° wraparound visuals · dual controls · real Garmin G430
02
Step 2
WED – FRI
Piper Seminole Twin Time
Into the airplane. Eight hours of real multi-engine flight time in the Piper Seminole with your MEI — engine-out procedures, Vmc demonstrations, single-engine approaches, and the full checkride maneuver profile flown to ACS standards.
- ✓Vmc demos, drag demos & single-engine go-arounds
- ✓Steep turns, stalls, and single-engine ILS approaches
- ✓Oral prep woven into every pre- and post-flight briefing
03
Step 3
SAT / SUN
FAA Checkride
Your DPE checkride is scheduled before your course begins — so there's no waiting list and no delay once you're ready. Oral exam and flight test at Van Nuys, and you leave the weekend with a multi-engine rating on your certificate.
- ✓DPE examiner booked in advance for your week
- ✓Full oral review and mock checkride the day before
- ✓Rating added to your Private or Commercial certificate
Starts every Monday, checkride Saturday or Sunday. Ask about the next open week when you call.
Reserve Your Week — $5,100
Why train with us
Why Choose Los Angeles Flight School for Your Multi-Engine Training?
Three reasons students fly in from across Southern California for a single accelerated week at Van Nuys.
01
Prioritizing Your Safety
At Los Angeles Flight School, your safety is paramount. We maintain meticulous standards for aircraft upkeep, comprehensive pre-flight preparation, and attentive in-flight instruction, strictly adhering to rigorous FAA safety guidelines at every step.
02
Train with the Premier Piper Seminole
Enjoy training in the industry-leading Piper Seminole, celebrated for its advanced avionics, smooth flight characteristics, and exceptional twin-engine reliability. Trusted globally for multi-engine training, the Seminole combines safety, efficiency, and superior performance to perfectly support your flight education.
03
Personalized FAA-Certified Instruction
Our seasoned instructors offer extensive multi-engine flight experience, delivering personalized training tailored to your specific goals. Their dedicated approach ensures you master critical multi-engine operations, from advanced aerodynamics and navigation techniques to handling complex emergency procedures.
Redbird MCX · FAA-approved AATD
Every Engine Failure Happens Here First
The Redbird MCX is a full-motion, FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) — an enclosed cockpit on a 3-axis electric motion platform, configured as a Seminole, with a 210° wraparound visual and real Garmin G430 avionics.
An engine failure just above Vmc is the scenario the multi-engine rating exists for, and it is the one thing you cannot rehearse over and over in a real twin. In the airplane your instructor sets it up at altitude, with margin, and you get a few attempts before the lesson is over. In the MCX the failure can arrive low, slow and gear-down on short final — then be reset and arrive again, and again, with the motion cues intact.
By the time you start an engine on Wednesday, identifying the failed engine, holding heading with rudder and running the securing flow are things your hands have already done dozens of times. That is the whole reason the simulator comes first.
- ✓210° wraparound visual display
- ✓3-axis electric motion platform
- ✓Dual controls for instructor demos
- ✓Real Garmin G430 avionics
- ✓Enclosed cockpit, Seminole configuration
- ✓Single- and multi-engine configurable
Why the drills come first
Proficiency Is The Standard, Not An Hour Count
Adding a multi-engine class rating to a certificate you already hold does not work the way your first certificate did. Under 14 CFR 61.63(c)(3) an applicant for an additional class rating need not meet the specified training time requirements prescribed elsewhere in Part 61, and under 61.63(c)(4) there is no additional knowledge test. What you are measured on is your instructor's endorsement that you are competent and proficient, and the practical test itself.
So the hours are not the point — what happens inside them is. We put the emergency work in the simulator first, where a scenario can be repeated on demand, and spend the aircraft time flying the checkride profile rather than learning it. Ground briefing, simulator and Seminole are one sequence, in that order, for that reason.
- ✓Repetition: the same failure, reset and flown again
- ✓Realistic setups: low, slow and configured — not only at altitude
- ✓No risk: a mistake in the MCX costs you a reset
- ✓Motion cues: 3-axis platform, so the yaw is something you feel
- ✓Instructor demos: dual controls — shown once, then flown by you
- ✓No delays: weather and maintenance never stall a sim session
Van Nuys Airport · KVNY
The Twin Rating Airlines Want, Earned In A Single Week
The panel in the simulator is the panel in the airplane. When you move to the Seminole on Wednesday the throttle quadrant, the Garmin stack and the switch layout are where you left them — the new variable is that the airplane is moving, and the drills are already in your hands.
Van Nuys (KVNY) is one of the busiest general-aviation airports in the United States. Training here means real-world radio work, traffic awareness, and complex airspace experience — plus year-round Southern California weather that keeps your accelerated week on schedule.
Commercial candidates, future MEIs, and pilots building toward the airlines all start here. Multi-engine time is exactly what regional and major airline hiring pipelines look for, and the rating is added to whichever certificate you already hold.
- ✓Piper Seminole: counter-rotating props, retractable gear, the avionics you'll be tested on
- ✓Busy Class D airspace and real-world radio work
- ✓Ideal for commercial pilot candidates and instructors pursuing MEI
- ✓One of LA's largest, most technologically equipped multi-engine fleets
Try the twin before you book the week
Multi-Engine Discovery Flight
Get in the left seat of the Piper Seminole with an MEI, start both engines, and fly the twin over Los Angeles. It's the fastest way to know the multi-engine rating is right for you — and the fastest way to feel the difference between one engine and two.
Piper Seminole (twin)The aircraft you'd train in all week
One-on-one with an MEIHands on the controls, not a ride-along
100% credits toward trainingWhen you enroll within 24 hours*
Open 7 days, 9am–9pmVan Nuys Airport (KVNY)
Multi-Engine Discovery Flight
$499
One flight in the Piper Seminole with a certified multi-engine instructor.
Book the $499 Twin Discovery Flight
*100% of a discovery flight credits toward your training when you enroll within 24 hours. Standard single-engine discovery flights start from $229.
Financing your rating
$2,500 down. Two payments. Done.
The multi-engine add-on has its own simple payment plan — and if you'd rather stretch it out, financing is available up to 5 years with a soft credit check and no co-signer required.
Multi-Engine payment plan
The exact plan for this course — nothing hidden, nothing balloon-shaped at the end.
$2,500
Down
$1,300
Month 1
$1,300
Month 2
$2,500 down + 2 monthly payments of $1,300 — total $5,100, the complete course cost. Longer-term third-party financing is available up to 5 years with a soft credit check and no co-signer required.
Finance your future with confidence
A simple process, built for pilots — not for paperwork.
- ✓Down payment $2,500
- ✓Then 2 monthly payments of $1,300
- ✓Complete course cost $5,100
- ✓Financing term available up to 5 years
- ✓Credit check — soft pull, no co-signer
- ✓100% of a discovery flight credits toward training when you enroll within 24 hours (discovery flights from $229)
Loved On Google And Yelp
Five Hundred Reviews. 4.9 Stars.
More five-star reviews than any other flight school in Los Angeles — written by the people who learned to fly here, not by us.
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
SAFETY FIRST
★★★★★
Very safety and detail oriented. Pre-flight briefing explained everything there was. To my knowledge, this flight school is exceptional in their ability.
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
I can't recommend Essence Flight School enough! The staff is awesome, and the whole vibe is just really positive and cool. Huge shoutout to Anthony, our...
INSTRUMENT RATING
★★★★★
I'm currently working on my instrument rating at essence, and it has been Fantastic so far, my instructor is Alex and he is very knowledgeable and patient...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I recently had the chance to take my first-ever discovery flight, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I stepped into the cockpit, the...
KIDS FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
Had a great experience with this company. My son has been very into airplanes and his flight simulator on the computer so for his 11th birthday treated...
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
Essence Flight Academy is an outstanding place to learn how to fly. From the start, I felt comfortable and confident thanks to the professionalism and...
SUNSET CIRRUS
★★★★★
It was a great flight! I did a sunset flight and Alex let us fly an awesome. Website was easy to book, and the plane itself was really fun to fly...
HANDS-ON FLIGHT
★★★★★
One of the best flight experiences I've ever done! If you're looking for a fun flight, beautiful views, and even taking control of the plane, Essence...
FLYING LESSON
★★★★★
We had a great flying lesson with Ralph and came away with a much better understanding of both the aircraft and the principles of flight. Ralph is a...
SKY PROPOSAL
★★★★★
Unforgettable private flight with Essence—smooth journey and a magical moment as I proposed to my girl in the skies! Highly recommend!
KIDS LUXURY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I got 2 luxury discovery flights for my kids. I wanted them to have the experience of flying. Our instructor Alex was amazing he made sure they feel...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
This was my first flight at Essence and it will be one I will never forget for several reasons. Joseph was an awesome instructor, demonstrating...
HONEYMOON SURPRISE
★★★★★
Last minute booking to surprise my wife on our honeymoon. She had no experience with flying and was scared of flying, but Alex was very easygoing and knew...
FULL-MOTION SIM
★★★★★
Amazing flight school in van nuys airport. I have been a student here for the past few months and i could not be happier. I started doing a lot of...
DISCOVERY FOR TWO
★★★★★
I booked a Discovery Flight for Two for my girlfriend's birthday and it was the perfect gift for her. She couldn't have been more excited to get to...
SIMULATORS
★★★★★
Very professional and great airplanes. I love the flight simulators. The pricing is very fair compared to any other flight school
FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
My experience at Essence Flight School was absolutely incredible! I have to admit, I was super nervous at first because flying in a small plane seemed...
NEW STUDENT
★★★★★
I recently joined Essence flight school after my consultation with Alex. Their team is very honest about what to expect the pricing and they were...
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Anthony was an INCREDIBLE instructor and it was SO fun to enjoy my first time on a plane at Essence Flight Academy! The atmosphere was super chill and it...
TEEN FIRST LESSON
★★★★★
We gifted our teenage son his first flying lesson. He was so excited! Alex greeted us and gave a reassuring brief that made us all feel comfortable and at...
GIFT FLIGHT
★★★★★
Great experience with first ever discovery flight! Would highly recommend! Got it as a gift for my dad and he had a great time flying!
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Flying is my husband's hobby and I was incredibly anxious and apprehensive about the discovery flight. However, I felt completely safe and at ease once we...
PPL → INSTRUMENT
★★★★★
I enrolled as student at Essence Flight School in July, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. I got my Private Pilot License here, and I'm now...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
An Amazing Experience with Essence Flight Academy and CFI Joseph!! Flying with them was such a memorable experience! From the moment I arrived, everything...
SAFETY FIRST
★★★★★
Very safety and detail oriented. Pre-flight briefing explained everything there was. To my knowledge, this flight school is exceptional in their ability.
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
I can't recommend Essence Flight School enough! The staff is awesome, and the whole vibe is just really positive and cool. Huge shoutout to Anthony, our...
INSTRUMENT RATING
★★★★★
I'm currently working on my instrument rating at essence, and it has been Fantastic so far, my instructor is Alex and he is very knowledgeable and patient...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I recently had the chance to take my first-ever discovery flight, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I stepped into the cockpit, the...
KIDS FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
Had a great experience with this company. My son has been very into airplanes and his flight simulator on the computer so for his 11th birthday treated...
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
Essence Flight Academy is an outstanding place to learn how to fly. From the start, I felt comfortable and confident thanks to the professionalism and...
SUNSET CIRRUS
★★★★★
It was a great flight! I did a sunset flight and Alex let us fly an awesome. Website was easy to book, and the plane itself was really fun to fly...
HANDS-ON FLIGHT
★★★★★
One of the best flight experiences I've ever done! If you're looking for a fun flight, beautiful views, and even taking control of the plane, Essence...
FLYING LESSON
★★★★★
We had a great flying lesson with Ralph and came away with a much better understanding of both the aircraft and the principles of flight. Ralph is a...
SKY PROPOSAL
★★★★★
Unforgettable private flight with Essence—smooth journey and a magical moment as I proposed to my girl in the skies! Highly recommend!
KIDS LUXURY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I got 2 luxury discovery flights for my kids. I wanted them to have the experience of flying. Our instructor Alex was amazing he made sure they feel...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
This was my first flight at Essence and it will be one I will never forget for several reasons. Joseph was an awesome instructor, demonstrating...
HONEYMOON SURPRISE
★★★★★
Last minute booking to surprise my wife on our honeymoon. She had no experience with flying and was scared of flying, but Alex was very easygoing and knew...
FULL-MOTION SIM
★★★★★
Amazing flight school in van nuys airport. I have been a student here for the past few months and i could not be happier. I started doing a lot of...
DISCOVERY FOR TWO
★★★★★
I booked a Discovery Flight for Two for my girlfriend's birthday and it was the perfect gift for her. She couldn't have been more excited to get to...
SIMULATORS
★★★★★
Very professional and great airplanes. I love the flight simulators. The pricing is very fair compared to any other flight school
FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
My experience at Essence Flight School was absolutely incredible! I have to admit, I was super nervous at first because flying in a small plane seemed...
NEW STUDENT
★★★★★
I recently joined Essence flight school after my consultation with Alex. Their team is very honest about what to expect the pricing and they were...
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Anthony was an INCREDIBLE instructor and it was SO fun to enjoy my first time on a plane at Essence Flight Academy! The atmosphere was super chill and it...
TEEN FIRST LESSON
★★★★★
We gifted our teenage son his first flying lesson. He was so excited! Alex greeted us and gave a reassuring brief that made us all feel comfortable and at...
GIFT FLIGHT
★★★★★
Great experience with first ever discovery flight! Would highly recommend! Got it as a gift for my dad and he had a great time flying!
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Flying is my husband's hobby and I was incredibly anxious and apprehensive about the discovery flight. However, I felt completely safe and at ease once we...
PPL → INSTRUMENT
★★★★★
I enrolled as student at Essence Flight School in July, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. I got my Private Pilot License here, and I'm now...
See Discovery Flight Details — $229
Reviews shown verbatim. Many name Essence Flight Academy — the same school, same team, same hangar, before the rebrand.
Multi-engine questions, answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Our course is fully accelerated. Most students complete the training in 3–5 days, inside a single 7-day week: simulator Monday–Tuesday, Piper Seminole flight time Wednesday–Friday, and the FAA checkride Saturday or Sunday. Courses start every Monday.
$5,100 complete course cost, fixed. That covers 8 hours of Piper Seminole flight time, 2 hours in the Redbird MCX full-motion simulator — all 10 of those hours flown one-on-one with an MEI — and 2 hours of ground school and pre/post-flight briefings. The DPE examiner fee is billed separately by the examiner. The payment plan is $2,500 down plus two monthly payments of $1,300.
Total log time 10 hours: multi-engine flight time in the Piper Seminole 8 hours, plus the Redbird MCX full-motion simulator 2 hours. All 10 are flown dual with an MEI — that is the same 10 hours described a second way, not 10 more. Ground school and pre/post-flight briefings add 2 hours, which is ground instruction and not log time.
Yes. Your DPE is booked before your course begins, for the Saturday or Sunday at the end of your Monday-start week. You fly on three to five of the weekdays in that week and the examiner is already on the calendar, so nothing waits at the end of it. That is the main reason this course finishes in a week rather than a month.
A current Private or Commercial pilot certificate (single-engine land) and a valid FAA medical. The rating is added to whichever certificate you already hold. There is no written exam: under 14 CFR 61.63(c)(4) no additional knowledge test is required when you already hold an airplane rating at that certificate level. What you take is an oral exam and a practical flight test.
The Piper Seminole for the 8 hours of flight time, and the Redbird MCX for the 2 simulator hours. The Redbird is an FAA-approved full-motion AATD in Seminole configuration: 210° wraparound visual, three-axis electric motion, dual controls, a real Garmin G430 and an enclosed cockpit. The panel and the handling you learn in the simulator are the panel and the handling you fly.
Engine failure identification and securing — identify, verify, feather — plus Vmc demonstrations, asymmetric thrust and directional control, and single-engine approaches and go-arounds. All of it starts in the Redbird MCX, because there a failure can be set up low and slow, flown to the point where it goes wrong, reset, and flown again as many times as it takes. In the airplane the same failure has to be set up with altitude and margin, and fuel and fatigue end the lesson long before the repetition does. By the time you first take the Seminole up, the responses are muscle memory rather than a checklist you are still reading.
You log it — training received from an authorized instructor in an aviation training device is loggable training time under 14 CFR 61.51(h). But there is no training-time minimum for it to count against. An additional class rating carries no specified training time requirements (14 CFR 61.63(c)(3)); the rating is measured on your instructor's endorsement that you are competent and proficient (61.63(c)(1)) and on the practical test (61.63(c)(2)). 14 CFR 61.64 is a different rule again — it governs using a full flight simulator or flight training device for training or part of a practical test inside an approved Part 141 or 142 course. So the 2 Redbird hours are in this syllabus because they make the emergency work repeatable, not because a regulation counts them.
Yes. The course payment plan is $2,500 down plus 2 monthly payments of $1,300. Longer financing is available up to 5 years, with a soft credit check and no co-signer required.
Yes — a Multi-Engine Discovery Flight for $499: one flight in the Piper Seminole, one-on-one with an MEI, over Los Angeles. It credits 100% toward your training when you enroll within 24 hours. A standard single-engine discovery flight is $229.
The multi-engine rating is the prerequisite for adding an MEI, and multi-engine time is one of the things airline hiring minimums count. The accelerated format suits commercial pilot candidates and instructors adding the MEI because it takes one week off the calendar instead of spreading across months.
Van Nuys (KVNY) is a busy Class D field, so your week includes real radio work, traffic awareness and sequencing rather than quiet-field flying. Southern California weather also keeps an accelerated week on schedule, which matters when the checkride is already booked for the weekend.
Call (818) 290-8249 to check the next available Monday start, or book a free in-person consultation at Van Nuys — tour the facility, see the Seminole and the Redbird MCX, and we'll reserve your week.
Next Start Is Monday
Call And Book Your Multi-Engine Week
The course is $5,100, fixed. Most students finish in 3–5 days, and the checkride is on the calendar before you start. Call and we will tell you which Mondays are still open.
$2,500 down plus two payments of $1,300 · Financing up to 5 years · Soft credit check, no co-signer