EFATO Light Twin/ Mixture Control.
After reading the thread on feathered landings and discussing multi-engine training with some of my colleagues. The general opinion is that asymmetric training is more realistic when engine failure is simulated by cutting the mixture even though there is a certain amount of risk attached.
Yet looking at the CAO’s, the requirements for a light twin to continue climbing away all be it at 1% climb gradient is only required AFTER the prop is feathered and gear and flap retracted. However It’s discussed quite openly EFATO is practiced just as the aircraft lifts off with both the gear and flap still extended and the method of simulating failure is by cutting the mixture.
There was an article in the Safety Digest published by CASA on multi-engine training that the preferred method of simulation was by closure of the throttle and setting zero thrust to simulate a feathered propeller. Yet the old method of EFATO simulation using the mixture control is still practiced even though it has caused several accidents. To add to this why does this exercise have to be conducted just after lift off when the gear and flap are still extended and the risks greatest. Even the performance requirements do not call for the aircraft to perform in that configuration. Perhaps a CASA Flight Ops Inspector would like to comment on this type of training.