Flight engineer
Flight engineers monitored aircraft systems on larger planes until automation eliminated the role.
A flight engineer (FE), sometimes called an air engineer, is a crew member on an aircraft who handles the monitoring and operation of its more complicated systems. This role was established so that one person could focus entirely on the engines and other vital flight systems; the FE does not pilot the plane but works alongside the two pilots throughout the entire flight. On most modern aircraft, electronic microprocessors and computers now handle the monitoring and adjustment of these complex systems, which has led to the flight engineer position being phased out.
In the early days of aviation, the role was sometimes known as the "air mechanic." Flight engineers still exist on some larger fixed-wing planes and helicopters, and a similar job exists on certain spacecraft. Early large aircraft were typically designed with a flight engineer station. For U.S. civilian planes that require one, the FE must hold an FAA Flight Engineer Certificate with the appropriate rating (reciprocating, turboprop, or turbojet). While the four-engine Douglas DC-4 did not need a flight engineer, later four-engine piston planes (like the Boeing 307 and 377, DC-6, DC-7, and Constellation) and early jets with two, three, or four engines (such as the Boeing 707, 727, early 747s, DC-8, DC-10, L-1011, and early A300s) did require one. Smaller twinjets (DC-9, 737, BAC 1-11, Caravelle) were never complex enough to need a flight engineer, while later large jets (Airbus A310, A300-600, Boeing 767, MD-11, 747-400, and later) were automated enough to eliminate the position.
The FE does not fly the plane but has a specialized control panel for monitoring and controlling various systems. The station is usually on the main flight deck, just behind the pilot and copilot and near the navigator. On early four-engine commercial seaplanes like the Sikorsky S-42, Martin M-130, and Boeing 314 Clipper, the role was called "flight mechanic." On the first very large flying boat, the Dornier Do X, the position was called "engineer" (like a ship's engineer), and the FE operated a large, complex station to monitor its twelve engines. The first U.S. military aircraft with a flight engineer was the Consolidated PBY, introduced in 1936, with the FE panel in the pylon between the fuselage and wing; the FE lacked ignition, throttle, and propeller controls, so someone in the cockpit had to start the engines.
- First us military aircraft with fe
- Consolidated PBY, introduced into naval service in 1936
- First allied military operation involvin
- February 1941 with a Short Stirling
- Faa certificate required
- FAA Flight Engineer Certificate with reciprocating, turboprop, or turbojet ratings
- No mandatory retirement age
- FAA never set a mandatory retirement age for flight engineers
- Example aircraft requiring fe
- Boeing 307, 377, DC-6, DC-7, Constellation, Boeing 707, 727, early 747s, DC-8, DC-10, L-1011, early A300s
- Example aircraft not requiring fe
- Douglas DC-4, DC-9, 737, BAC 1-11, Caravelle
Lore & Background
In the early era of aviation, the position was sometimes referred to as the 'air mechanic'. Earlier referred to as a 'flight mechanic' on four-engine commercial seaplanes like the Sikorsky S-42, Martin M-130 and the Boeing 314 Clipper, the FE's role was called an 'engineer' on the first very large flying boat, the Dornier Do X, where the FE operated a large and complex engineering station to monitor the twelve engines. The first US military aircraft to include a FE was the Consolidated PBY in 1936, with the FE panel located in the pylon between the fuselage and the wing. During World War II, the Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax bombers employed FEs, as these large aircraft employed only a single pilot. The first Allied military operation involving FEs occurred in February 1941 with a Short Stirling. On some commercial airliners with a flight engineer, the FE is the third in command, after the captain and first officer.
Reader's Guide
The flight engineer's significance lies in their role as the systems expert on the flight deck, responsible for monitoring and operating all aircraft systems including fuel, pressurization, hydraulics, electrics, and ice protection. They set and adjust engine power during takeoff, climb, cruise, and go-arounds, and are responsible for preflight and postflight inspections, weight and balance calculations, and cross-checking pilot selections. In emergencies, the basic philosophy of a three-person flight deck is for the captain to hand over flying to the first officer, while the captain and FE together review and carry out necessary actions. The FE reads checklists and executes actions under the captain's auspices, spreading workload and maximizing safety. Starting in the 1980s, the development of powerful integrated circuits and advances in computers eliminated the need for flight engineers on airliners and many modern military aircraft. Unlike commercial pilots, the FAA never set a mandatory retirement age for flight engineers, leading to U.S. Supreme Court cases in 1985 that ruled against forced retirement based on pilot regulations.
Did You Know?
- The flight engineer's station was traditionally placed on the main flight deck just aft of the pilot and copilot, close to the navigator.
- On the Tupolev Tu-134, the flight engineer sits in the nose of the aircraft.
- During World War II, the flight engineer on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress also doubled as a gunner, usually operating the upper turret.
- On some military airplanes like the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, the FE sits behind the co-pilot facing outboard to operate a panel of switches.
More in Drone Regulation, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced