WHAT??? You're kidding right? Find me ANY piece of FAA literature that even insinuates the idea of killing an engine with the mixture (on a single engine)....

Last time a DE pulled that sh!t in central Florida his ticket was pulled... (his DPE authority at least...not sure about his pilot license but I wouldn't be surprised).

My $0.02.... I am a CFI-G as well as a powered aircraft CFI/MEI. I am fairly comfortable with energy management, and I enjoy practicing power-off landings in most single engine aircraft (though a J3 cub is my favorite), but I NEVER killed the engine in the process. Am I capable of landing a cub or cessna without power? Of course! But am I stupid enough to actually kill the engine and put myself UNNECESSARILY in a position where I don't have a way out? Nope!
Gliders are designed to be flown without power, and are able to control the glide through a wider range of glide angles than most aircraft. Plus, if you land long/short/in a field with a glider (which happens quite often in the glider community...often when compared to powered arcraft) you have less than half the kinetic energy to dissipate when compared to a powered aircraft (due to the difference in stall speeds).

Anyone who actually kills the engine does so ONLY to feel the adrenaine rush. That is perfectly fine for me. Some guys jump off airplanes/cliffs and do all sort of dangerous activities just to feel the rush. If its your own airplane and you're by yourself with nobody living in the vicinity of the airport, do it all you want!

BUT, I don't agree with Shaken when he talks about being "necessary" for a learning experience. For an instructor to practice this sort of thing with a student is plain CRIMINAL, because he is putting the student in a situation that poses higher-than-normal risk for NO REASON. If you can't think of WHY there is an added risk by shutting the engine then you are either too inexperienced or plain stupid.

Anyone who claims that shutting down the engine in a training flight does not add risk to the manuever (as opposed to power-idle) is simply too ignorant or in denial. Anyone who claims the added risk (however large or small it is quantified as) is offset by a "training advantage" is either ignorant or has a very poor safety attitude.
Ask the FAA why they no longer have spin training in the private/commercial/atp certification requirements?

The superior pilot is one who uses his superior judgment to avoid displays of his superior skill.

PS. Shaken, I read your last post and I see nothing wrong with practicing deadstick landings at a long rwy with your buddies. If you recognize there is a higher risk (however small....and I agree that in your scenario it is indeed small) and are willing to take the risk. What I think is crazy is to do so in a training environment or with passengers who don't need/want the higher risk exposure.