Points made earlier by BPF and OzExpat about use of the tachometer made me think .... many light twins use a combined tacho. In the case of the Partenavia, the engine instruments are way over the other side of the cockpit, and making out which is which in the heat of battle can be tricky. Even worse if it's a black **** night!
I had to abort a take off in a P68 several months ago due to one engine not making full revs (run ups were OK). All the signs were there, nose started swinging and acceleration not as brisk as usual, but my first thought was weathercocking into the right crosswind (I think it was about 15kts all XW). The right tacho was only showing 2350 - 2400 revs, but the only way I could see this was to take my eyes OFF the runway, the ASI and AI in order to look at and interpret the tachometer. Nobody in the right seat to help.
Most working light twins are single pilot, and many are flown around the back end of the clock, light freight etc. Most also have poorly lit cockpits. This stuff isn't easy - I think I agree with OzExpat; time for another drink then I'm going back to bed.
By the way, re Scramjet's opening post about climb attitude - do any of you who have flown the P68 agree that its standard climb attitude destroys over the nose visibility?
Cheers
LTDT