You have to have at least 15 hours in category/class for ANY plane you want to instruct in. If you're giving multi instruction for a rating or operating privilege, you must have at least 5 hours in make/model.

FAR 61.183 says that you need 15 hours PIC in category/class before you get the instructor rating for that category/class. So you would need 15 ME PIC to get an MEI. Also, 61.195 says for ME, you have to have 5 hours PIC in make and model to give training for the issuance of a certificate in a multi-engine airplane.

As I read it, you would have to have the 5 make and model, but not the 15 category and class. You need the 15 hours to get a MEI, you need the 5 hours to give training for multi engine instrument rating.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Ok, so if I am giving instrument instruction in a multi-engine aircraft, and I have 15 hours PIC in airplane multi-engine land...

Would I need 5 hours in the make and model if the training is not for a new certificate or rating? Say its just for a IPC, or maybe the pilot flying just wanted a CFII to keep an eye on them to make sure they are flying safely. :rolleyes:

No. If you're just doing an IPC or acting as safety pilot, you may feel free to hop into any multi you desire (as long as it doesn't require a type rating).

To answer the 15 or 5 hour question, the way the DPE explained it to me was that you 15 hours of ME PIC for the rating. So if you are getting you MEI in a seminole, you need to have 15 hours PIC in the seminole. Now if you have your MEI and someone calls you to teach them how to fly a Baron, you need at least five hours in a Baron to teach the student. If someone calls you to teach in a Seminole you have the five hours PIC already so you can teach them. I hope that makes sense.

Close, but not exact. The 15 hours PIC to get a MEI don't have to be make/model. You can have 10 from a Senica that you got your MEL in and then 5 from a Seminole that you did your MEI training in. It doesn't have to be the same for that requirement. That is only category/class. You are correct about the 5 make/model to teach out of the plane, though.

It is all so clear to me now, thanks everybody!