Hi there.If I may share my 0.02cts,
I ASSuMe you are talking about Flight Engineer as the one that
flies onboard n is part of the OCS( Operating Crew System). they
are a dinasaur breed after the B744 came about with technology that
replaces the FLight engineer with a single chip. You can
differentiate them from the pilots from the colors on their bars,
it is purple wz 3 black stripes. Some of them are also holders of
CPL themselves.
On the old aircraft that carry the flight engineer as the A300-B4 n
later FWD FAcing series,the DC10, L1011,DC8, B74-1/2/3.etc. the FE
job instil lookin after the overall technical health n overview of
the aircraft, from fuel, temp, monitoring, BUG speeds, performance.
he sit in front of a panel full of gauges, (arnd 220) if I
rememeber correctly .
Before the flight, the FE calculates the fuel together wz the
captain .F/O and the flt dispatcher over the fuel plan, the pilots
wud look further at flight plan n nav log n ATS clearance. He then
calculate the BUG speeds n hand over to the captain for final check
after the final weights are finalised n loadsheet presented.
He wud also do the walk around prior to flights and final check wz
the ground engineer or AME for release.
ON some freighters ,even though it's the B744, some airlines still
carry FE either as a union requirements or Operational requirement,
sum of them double up as a loadmaster and ensure all pallets,
locks, nets, tie-down points n cargo are firmly secured before the
door is closed.the FE also make sure the LIR (Load Instruction
Report ) tally wz the weights label that are on the cargo
itself.
It is no mean feat as a B747 freighter carries up to a full config
of 38 pallets position & he has only less than an hour to do
all these checks before door closed n he is up there for " BEFORE
take off checks wz his team.
Well, I hope these helps you to understand what a FE role is or
was!
FYI, since early 1990s, before 1996, SIA has already laid off the
FE n offer either Golden handsakes, role switch to pilot,
instructors andeven cabin crew! with the arrrival of the B744. But
most of them, I would say, are very well to do n comfy now .
So one day the realisation of UAV will become a reality.
Haizzzzzz..........
Im sorry I don't know how to load photos here or else can show some
old nostalgic pics.
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