Flight Engineers
Background
The military operates thousands of airplanes and helicopters. Pilots and air crew members rely upon trained personnel to keep aircraft ready to fly. Flight engineers serve as crew members aboard military aircraft. Flight engineers inspect airplanes and helicopters before, during, and after flights to ensure safe and efficient operations.
What They Do
Flight engineers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assist pilots in engine start-up and shut-down
- Check fuel, pressure, electrical, and other aircraft systems during flight
- Compute aircraft load weights and fuel distribution and consumption
- Inform pilot of aircraft performance problems and recommend corrective action
- Inspect aircraft before and after flights
- Monitor engine instruments and adjust engine controls following pilot orders
- Plan and monitor the loading of passengers, cargo, and fuel
Physical Demands
Flight engineers, like pilots and navigators, have to be mentally alert and physically sound to perform their job. They must be in top physical shape and pass a special physical exam to qualify for flight duty.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to work as a member of a team
- Interest in working with mechanical systems and equipment
- Skill in using wiring diagrams and maintenance manuals
- Strong desire to fly
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- General math
- Shop mechanics
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Flight engineers live and work on air bases or aboard ships in all areas of the world. They fly in hot and cold climates and in all types of weather.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of 17 to 24 weeks of classroom instruction and practical experience in aircraft inspection.
Course content typically includes:
- Inspection of aircraft engines, structures, and systems
- Operation of aircraft engine instrument controls
- Operation of aircraft systems
- Preparation of records and logs
Further training occurs on the job during flight operations.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian flight engineers work for passenger and cargo airline companies. They perform the same duties as in the military.
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 3,000 flight engineers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new flight engineers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After receiving their "air crew qualified" rating, they are assigned to an airplane or helicopter flying unit. With experience, they work more independently and may supervise or train others. They may become flight engineer chiefs or air crew chiefs.