Definition
An additional rating added to a pilot certificate that authorizes the holder to act as pilot in command of an airplane with more than one engine. It is earned by completing required training and passing a practical test in a multiengine airplane, and is added to an existing pilot certificate (private, commercial, or ATP) at the appropriate certificate level.
Plain English
Permission added to your pilot's licence that lets you fly airplanes with more than one engine. You get it by training in a multiengine airplane and passing a checkride in one.
Context Anchor
Seen in pilot training and testing requirements, especially when moving from single-engine airplanes into twins or other airplanes with more than one engine.
Derivation
“Multi-” comes from a Latin word meaning “many” or “much.” In aviation, “rating” means an official qualification added to a pilot certificate, not a score. Together, the phrase points to an official qualification for airplanes with more than one engine.
Why Pilots Care
This rating is required before a pilot can legally fly most twin-engine and larger aircraft used in professional and advanced personal flying.
Intuition Check
Do not read “rating” as a grade, score, or review. Here, it means an official FAA qualification that gives a pilot specific flying privileges.
Example Sentence 1
After earning her multiengine airplane rating, she was legally able to fly the Piper Seminole as pilot in command.
Example Sentence 2
Before the multiengine airplane rating, the student could only fly single-engine aircraft under the regulations.