Reducing the risks in engine out training
The syllabus of training of a local flying school requires the instructors to simulate engine failures after take off (on twins), by cutting a mixture when above blue line speed.
Practice asymmetric landings are made with the prop feathered.
Is it not safer to simulate engine failure at these low altitudes by closing the throttle to idle - then set zero thrust? And for an asymmetric approach and landing to be made with zero thrust rather than fully feathered?
Are mixture cuts on take-off and feathered landings placing realism ahead of flight safety considerations?
Hypothetically, if an accident occurred which could have been prevented if throttle closure had been used rather than mixture cuts and feathered landings, would the student have grounds to litigate against the instructor and the school for using a training technique that carried with it a significantly higher risk factor than with throttle closure to simulate engine failure?