What is the expected loss of climb performance with an engine out?

When evaluating the expected loss of climb performance with an engine-out condition in a multi-engine aircraft, it's important to understand the inherent dynamics of multi-engine performance. When one engine fails, the thrust must be redirected and additional factors come into play, such as drag from the asymmetrical thrust and the need to maintain control.

In a multi-engine airplane, losing one engine significantly impacts climb performance. Typically, you can expect a severe reduction in the aircraft's ability to climb, often cited as a loss of around 80% of the normal climb performance. This is due to the fact that most of these aircraft are designed with performance metrics that assume all engines are operating.

Once an engine is lost, the aircraft only has a single engine providing thrust, while the drag remains substantial, particularly because the aircraft may need to fly at a higher angle of attack to maintain control. The remaining engine must work harder to counterbalance the drag, resulting in a significantly lower rate of climb or even a descent in certain configurations.

The loss of 80% is a well-accepted estimate in flight training and aerodynamics, which serves to highlight the importance of engine-out training and emergency procedures in multi-engine operations. This knowledge is crucial for pilots, as it prepares them to