AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025 - 44

MUSINGS /
Altitude adjustment
Navigating the uncharted skies of multiengine training
BY LELAND R. JOHNSON
As we began preparing for the checkride, we
encountered an obstacle. Despite our network
and diligent search, we discovered a startling
gap: there were no designated pilot examiners
(DPEs) in our area authorized to conduct a
multiengine checkride in the Beech Travel Air.
Either I had to pause my training indefinitely
or seek out a DPE in a distant location, which
would entail additional expenses and logistical
complications. It felt as though the very system
meant to facilitate progress had become a
roadblock. It was a bitter pill to swallow. This
taught me an invaluable lesson about the
unpredictable nature of flying, not just in the
air, but also in pilot training. It was a reminder
that in aviation, as in life, not all plans unfold as
expected, and the skies we navigate are often
filled with unforeseen challenges.
The unavailability of a DPE for the Beech
FOR ME, AV I AT ION has always been more than just piloting an aircraft; it's a
perpetual journey of discovery, challenge, and unparalleled joy. From my first aweinspiring
flight decades ago to the countless hours spent charting courses across
the skies, each moment airborne has been a testament to this enduring passion.
Yet, as any seasoned aviator knows, the sky is as much a domain of unforeseen
challenges as it is of freedom and adventure. It was in this spirit of continuous
exploration and growth that I embarked on a new aviation venture: obtaining my
multiengine rating.
A Beech Travel Air, recently acquired by our local FBO, was to be my companion
in this new challenge. Sleek and capable, this aircraft promised a thrilling expansion
of my flying repertoire. However, the journey to mastering this magnificent
machine was riddled with complexities far beyond my initial expectations. What I
had envisioned as a straightforward progression in my aviation education quickly
transformed into a series of unexpected turns, each demanding adaptability,
perseverance, and a renewed commitment to the aviator's path.
My journey into the realm of multiengine aviation began under the skilled
guidance of Logan Hutchin, a flight instructor whose reputation and expertise
are as formidable as the aircraft he commands. As we delved into the intricacies of
multiengine flying, his teaching methods proved enlightening and challenging. Each
session was a mix of rigorous training and insightful lessons, making me appreciate
the complexities of handling such a sophisticated aircraft.
44
AOPA PILOT / March 2025
Travel Air was a call to rethink and restrategize
my approach. The Piper Seneca, a beloved
aircraft that my wife and I had acquired two
years prior, was my beacon of hope. This
aircraft, which had undergone a significant
transformation from purchase to avionics
retrofitting and an autopilot supplemental
type certificate, now presented itself as a new
chapter in my aviation story.
But our new strategy soon encountered
another twist-the limited availability of DPEs
for the Seneca in our area. The only readily
accessible examiner had a less-than-ideal
reputation, presenting a dilemma that went
beyond logistics and into the realm of ensuring
the integrity and quality of my training. This
situation reinforced the importance of not only
having a plan B but also a plan C and D.
This led me to T3 Aerosports in Salisaw,
Oklahoma. Discovering this flight training
organization was a turning point, symbolizing
the transition from navigating roadblocks
to charting a new, hopeful course. At T3
Aerosports, the program they devised for me
was intensive, focusing not only on the practical
aspects of flying a multiengine aircraft but also
on the theoretical underpinnings necessary for
NEIL WEBB

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025

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