Originally Posted by
Scoop
I took it to mean the crew had to turn the engine assisting the mechanics who were actually changing the engine. I have a few shirts myself that bear "the mark of the engineer" ie. grease stains.
Scoop
Scoop,
FWIW, Flight Engineers were not originally "pilots" by any definition. Some had A&P's with IA, but no commercial or ATP ratings. They were mechanics who rode along managing the incredibly complex engines, as well as repairing and fixing them at outstations. Three engine ferry flights were more common than engine swaps on the ramp, but sometimes there was no choice.
My father was one of these A&P, IA's who's first job was to manage these complex turbo-supercharged radial engines, then later taking DC-8's into Asia and Africa to land on steel matting and stuff like that. There was no support infrastructure where many of these cargo operators went.
http://www.seaboardairlines.org/spar.../as_efs415.jpg
(image not posted due to size)
http://www.seaboardairlines.org/spar.../as_efs412.jpg
(second picture note, SO not my father, in his underwear or bathing trunks, on left, changing an engine ... do not report to style police ... apparently socks matching underwear must have been a thing in the 1960's)
I think even Delta had a very small handful as late as the 1990's. ASA negotiated a "Bid Restricted Second Officer SLOA" to offer assistance to Delta "pilot" PFE's who needed training and flight time to meet Delta's minimums for a control seat.
FWIW, my father is a very good pilot. He's an absolutely mind blowing mechanic.