One of the most popular light twins ever built, the Piper Aztec is known for its durability and load-carrying capability.

by Frank Bowlin

There you were: Inside the foggles, it was zero-zero. You were taking off in your trusty 1972 Piper Aztec. Just as you rotated you lost an engine. The left engine, no less. Quick, what do you do? Well, if you did as you’d been taught, before the takeoff you probably at least mentally went through the takeoff briefing. “…in the event of an engine failure after rotation, I’ll continue the takeoff and maintain VYSE, power-up, clean-up, identify/verify/feather….” Not bad if you can pull it off. The problem is that twin drivers cannot consistently pull it off. …