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What happened to the flight engineers?
With advances in modern technology, this position — the flight engineer — has been all but eliminated in the modern day airliner design. Flight engineers were responsible for operating and monitoring the hydraulic, pressurization, fuel, electrical and air conditioning systems.
Do airplanes still have flight engineers?
Flight engineers can still be found on some larger fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters. In most modern aircraft, their complex systems are both monitored and adjusted by electronic microprocessors and computers, resulting in the elimination of the flight engineer’s position.
Can a flight engineer still work on an airplane?
Flight engineers can still be found on some larger fixed-wing airplanes, and helicopters. A similar crew position exists on some spacecraft. In most modern aircraft, their complex systems are both monitored and adjusted by electronic microprocessors and computers, resulting in the elimination of the flight engineer’s position.
Why was the position of flight engineer created?
In order to dedicate a person to monitor an aircraft’s engines and its other critical flight systems, the position of “flight engineer” (FE) was created. The FE did not actually fly the airplane; instead, the FE’s position had a specialized control panel allowing for the monitoring and control of various aircraft systems.
When did the need for a flight engineer end?
Starting in the 1980s, the development of powerful and small integrated circuits and other advances in computers and digital technology eliminated the need for flight engineers on airliners and many modern military aircraft.
Do you need a FAA certificate to be a flight engineer?
For U.S. civilian aircraft that require a flight engineer as part of the crew, the FE must possess an FAA Flight Engineer Certificate with reciprocating, turboprop, or turbojet ratings appropriate to the aircraft.