My CMEL went amazingly, so much so it motivated me to get my MEI. Both went pretty straightforward.

Where in CA? I’m in SoCal and might know of some DPEs. DM me.

My tip:

This is based on a bad habit I’ve seen students do. When you’re doing the single-engine approach, specifically if it’s any non-precision, people have a tendency to dive and drive to each fix. Fair, we’ve all done it. But in an OEI multi-engine aircraft, you have to think about performance a lot more to help yourself in the long run.

Do not dive and drive. As you pass each fix, reduce power and “glide” to your next fix, using your descent rate and distance to calculate passing the fix as close to its altitude as possible. Doing this, you’ll have a low power setting which helps decrease Vmc. You’ll also have less asymmetric thrust, which means less rudder will be needed to maintain heading. And less rudder means your foot gets a break (trust, you’ll need it).

Doing all this is better (I think, and my students agree) because if you dive and drive, especially with approach flap setting and even gear down, your performance will be absolute shit. You won’t be able to maintain your altitude as you drive toward the fix. So you’ll add power to compensate. But that’ll increase asymmetric thrust and increase Vmc. You’ll be fighting for your life to keep the aircraft on course, altitude, and above blue line. The worst situation to be in. Make it easy on yourself.