Flight Engineer

[FE_PLT]

We don't hear about these guys very often but they're still out there flying cargo around the country in older planes. Anybody knows a school or a study package or any kind of training required to write the FLENG exam from TC to get the Flight Engineer license??

[200hr Wonder]

AFAIK most people sitting side saddle are S/Os waiting to get upgraded to F/Os so they are CPL/ATPL and then company training followed by a S/O ride I suppose. As far as a Flight Engineer I have no idea.

[joco]

200hr is right.
joco

[nookie201]

Hello,

You would require an AME license & pass the TC F/E Exam
Then an aircraft F/E Check ride.

G

[FE_PLT]

In the CAR 421.37 I don't see anywhere mentioning about getting an AME license first...

[Aeros]

In the CAR 421.37 I don't see anywhere mentioning about getting an AME license first...

That's because you do NOT need to have an AME licence to qualify for an FE Licence.

I don't know of any schools that provide training to pass the exam bu the TC Study and Reference Guide can be found here.

[iflyforpie]

The Flight Engineer is rapidly becoming an obsolete position as aircraft that require one are being retired. The FEs at flight craft were junior pilots and couldn't log any of the time.

AFAIK, the licenses the pilot holds already combined with appropriate type training and SOPs qualify the person for the FE position.




Now...where's Strega to say these people aren't really 'engineers'

[just curious]

Nationair might have been the last users of real flight engineers.

[FE_PLT]

Nationair seems to be American? Am I mistaking?

[ScudRunner]

I think You are confusing Flight Engineer and Second Officer its kinda a grey confusing area.

Yes they do the same job in the cockpit but traditionally a flight engineer would have been more mechanically inclined like he said an AME. The vast majority of S/O's these days have at least their CPL and are waiting to get into the F/O Chair, places like Cargojet hire pilots and they issue there S/O Licence for the back seat. I don't think you can do a course and get a licence issue'd by TC not going through a company. Don't quote me but I think there is even a distiction in pay where a F/E is on the same scale as the F/O and the S/O on a seperate one.

[Strega]

Now...where's Strega to say these people aren't really 'engineers'

They arent..

[FE_PLT]

I am not confusing FE with S/O. I will contact TC, maybe they'll tell me how to proceed. There are some companies out there that employ FE's on older airframe (727, L-1011, DC-10, 747-100/200, etc) and don't expect you to become FO and that's what I'm looking for. Although working towards my CPL, I am a military FE that used to be a tech (military equivalent of AME) and just want to transfer my license over the civvy side. I've been working on the C-130 Hercules before and First Air has the L-382 which is the civvy version of it. Simple! Thanks for all your inputs.

[FE_PLT]

Now...where's Strega to say these people aren't really 'engineers'

They arent..

It depends what kind of qualifications the individual holds. The SO that is waiting for his FO seat, I'd say no. The FE with his mechanical background and that holds the maintenance and servicing quals to turn the aircraft around and put it back serviceable...yes. It's on a person basis really. As far as military goes, the FE will hold most of the 1st line technician's qualifications.

[ScudRunner]

Well why didn't you say so, with your experience I would call up KFC /Moringstar/ First Air/ Flair and CargoJet (but they just laid me and 34 other guys off so not so much Cargojet). These are the only ones I can think of that still operate Aircraft in Canada that require a FE or SO as I understand it the companies issue you your FE licence. So with your experience it would be a walk in the park in training a Ground School and a check Ride. Just persue these companies and specifically state you want tobe a flight Engineer.

[just curious]

Actually, I can't remember if First Air still has FE's. Someone else might know. However if you could scrounge the CDN FE licence, you could convert to a South African Licence and go to work for Safair. 5 L182's 2 Antarctic contracts, bunch of UN and NGO stuff. One sweet contract based in Rome.

[Aeros]

Actually, I can't remember if First Air still has FE's. Someone else might know. However if you could scrounge the CDN FE licence, you could convert to a South African Licence and go to work for Safair. 5 L182's 2 Antarctic contracts, bunch of UN and NGO stuff. One sweet contract based in Rome.

First Air still has a few FE on the 727, that being said, they aren't hiring any more on that machine -- they have switched to SO. They are still using FE on the Herc (and I think that they are actively hiring for that spot right now) -- I am hearing that they are VERY short of FE on that machine. They do not operate the Herc with SO, only FE.

[shitdisturber]

Nationair seems to be American? Am I mistaking?

Nationair was a charter operation based out of Montreal if memory serves. They went under in the early to mid 90's; despite having a government contract to haul military personel around Canada, and back and forth from Lahr.