Long range flight with rear engine only

[KyleTownsend]

I just got back from the CPA Skymaster Systems and Procedures course in New Orleans (It was great, by the way!)

The instructor related a story about a fellow who had the engines overhauled. Around 100-200 hours later, the fellow came back to the shop because he was loosing compression on the front engine. The rear engine was fine. All of the front cylinders were replaced as a warranty repair. He came back again after another 100-200 hours with the same complaint. Again, the front cylinders were shot. Everyone was scratching their head and wondering why. The rear engine was still fine.

Then, it came to light that the fellow was in the practice of taking off, climbing to altitude, and shutting down the front engine. He would make a long cross country flight, then restart the engine, and land.

According to CPA, air-starts are very hard on these engines, especially if they are allowed to become cold soaked at altitude before restart.

If you are considering following this practice, you must factor in the the cost of dramatically shortened cylinder life.

As to the legality of the practice, there was general agreement that it would be perfectly legal under FAA regs. Attempting takeoff on a single engine, however, would not be legal.