Multi-commercial

The check ride is over and I've added multi-engine privileges to my precious commercial certificate to go along with my single-engine qualifications.

That means, technically, I can now get paid to fly a multi-engined airplane. Just like when I first earned my single-engine commercial the reality is that it will probably be a while before anybody hires me to fly a twin.

Out of nearly 1,000 hours of flight time, a scant 8.5 has been in multi-engine airplanes. Getting that number up to 50 or 100 hours, at which point somebody might talk to me if I was lucky and they were either generous or hurting for pilots, is going to take some doing and some serious cash.

The best possibility for a flying job right now is probably with the airlines but even they are going to want to see a few more multi hours in my logbook before they'll talk to me. Or perhaps not.

Anyhow, the check ride itself went just fine with no surprises. It was easier than I'd expected, so obviously Christine had done a good job getting me ready. I didn't crash the airplane, remembered to get the gear down for landing and didn't bust any altitudes, so it was all good.

That makes five check rides in almost exactly two years. I'd like to say I'm getting used to them, but I was just as nervous before this one as I was before I passed my private check ride nearly 15 years ago.

Now it's time to grab a burger and a few beers and relax.