What is the difference between a single-engine and a multi-engine plane?

Aircraft engines are essential components of an airplane, and their number determines the type of plane. Single-engine planes, as the name suggests, have one engine, while multi-engine planes have more than one engine. Single-engine planes are popular for their simplicity, low cost of operation and maintenance, and ease of use, especially for those learning to fly. Multi-engine planes are designed for higher performance, greater speed, and altitude capability, and are often used for commercial air transport.

The main difference between the two is redundancy. Multi-engine planes provide a backup engine in case one engine fails, which improves safety during flight. This feature is particularly important during long-range flights or when flying over water or mountainous terrain. Single-engine planes, on the other hand, have only one engine, and any engine failure can result in a crash.

Another significant difference between single and multi-engine planes is their level of complexity. Multi-engine planes are more complicated to fly and maintain than single-engine planes. Pilots require additional training and certification to fly multi-engine planes. Also, multi-engine planes have more advanced systems and instrumentation, which require more regular maintenance.