How to Become a Flight Engineer
If you've always wanted a career in aviation, consider becoming a flight engineer. You don't necessarily have to work for a branch of the armed forces, as civilian flight engineers are necessary in the field as well. You should have an interest in flying and aviation in general as well as an aptitude for mathematical formulas and the ability to learn, comprehend and retain complex knowledge, as this is important to obtaining certification and securing a position in either the civilian or military arenas.
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Instructions
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Obtain education and training in the field of flight. Most flight engineers begin with basic pilot training and work their way up to flight engineer training offered through agencies such as Airline Transport Professionals Flight Training School or the U.S. Air Force. Before committing to any training agency, make sure they are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. These lessons can be costly and need to be factored into your budget if you're currently attending a four-year college.
In many cases, training to be a flight engineer is not far off from training to be a pilot. Most sites, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, incorporate these two careers as being close in their overall work responsibilities and training necessities.
Some airlines prefer to hire pilots with flight engineer license and training. There are several flight engineer schools across the country where you can receive flight engineer training and get your license, even if your end goal is not to become a flight engineer but rather an airline captain or co-pilot.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most flight engineers and pilots have a two-year degree at minimum; most are four-year college graduates.
According to avjobs.com, flight engineers aren't always pilots and often remain an engineer throughout their entire career. Most flight engineers are found in large jets on commercial airlines and are in charge of many of the inspection aspects. In some cases, the flight engineer acts as a third pilot and can take the place of the captain or co-pilot if necessary.
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Apply for a flight engineer license. You must be at least 18 years of age and have 250 hours of recorded flight time before you can apply for a regular pilot's license, which is often a prerequisite to a flight engineer license. Flight engineer hopefuls must be 21 years of age and be able to pass physical examinations just like pilots, especially if they are going to fly professionally at some point. These physical exams require perfect vision, which can be attained with glasses, contact lenses or laser surgery if you do not have perfect eyesight.
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Pass any required tests. According to diversityworking.com, practical oral and flight tests are part of the final exam and are monitored by a designated examiner or FAA inspector.
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Look for jobs in the field of aviation through the military, airline companies or commercial flight companies such as crop maintenance. Don't expect to get hired immediately as a flight engineer. There are other options if a job doesn't open up for your field, such as air traffic control and airfield operations. This field often pays above median wages and is thus highly competitive.
A flight engineer's salary can range from $35,000 to $85,000 per year, depending on experience and the number of years a flight engineer has worked for a company, according to payscale.com.
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