Here is a question for you...
 

I have talked to pilots that say as a pilot having an A&P isn't a bad thing at all - it gives you a good understanding of the anatomy of an airplane and that can never be bad. Its just getting the thing thats the issue.

Along the same line of reasoning would it not be a bad idea for a pilot who isn't acting as a flight engineer to have flight engineer certification as a virtue of their own education in aviation? Would you not learn things that could prove to be useful for any pilot? Would it look good on a resume'???

And if so, how exactly does one meet this requirement in FAR 63.37????

"(4) At least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and at least 5 hours of flight training in the duties of a flight engineer."

Thanks,
John

Well, I believe you just need to have training at that position, so most likely done in a appropriate classed simulator. I have 40hrs(20/type) in the 727-100 and -200 at all three positions. The -100 was a Level-A, and the -200 was a Level-C. Good times! Nothing like automation failure to really make that 3rd person work though. Or it could be because that 3rd person messed something up too:D

If you went out and bought your FE rating, you'd learn a lot about 727 systems. You could do the same thing by reading a book. There is not much demand anymore for FE's as more of the older planes get parked in the desert or shipped off to third world countries.

I asked my father this same question yesterday and he said to just take the FE written, at the most. It would be a waste of money otherwise. So sad to see the fe's fading away. :-(

What the heck does a practical exam consist of anyway!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

LOL! I know! It seems like you would just sit there and look at gauges an flip some switches! LOL! From the little that I remember, the PTS standards for FE are like this:

-Preflight preparation
-Preflight and post flight procedures
-Emergency Procedures
-Using charts
-14CFR part 63
-Weight and balance
-CRM

That's all I can remember as it's been a while since I talk PTS for FE with my dad. Also, I think you have to be 21 or something to get an FE rating.

"What the heck does a practical exam consist of anyway"

It was about 5K in 1985...

Oh, yeah, de727UPS is right....It's expensive. Someone at the FBO here guesses around 8K now. :O

wha??? Gooooood greif..... what the heck is this world coming too? Is the FE practical uber hard? I mean right - it seems like you would just sit there stare at gauges and let them simulate stuff on you - doesn't seem like it would cost as much as a high altitude orientation flight in a King Air 90! :confused: :confused:

When it comes to classic ratings such as an FE, I want to get it anyway. :) It will help you understand systems a little more and make you a better and more well rounded pilot. That's just my opinion. At the very least, just study for the written and take that. And if you ever work for a company worth its salt and they need a flight engineer, they should take you through the practical stuff on their dime. There's a great book out there for flight engineers and for the life of me I can't remember the name. It was the zygler book or something? Stupid brain wont work right now. I'll get back to you on that book. I know my father has a copy so I'll ask him. It was essentially the FE's bible back in the day.

EDIT: Ok, my brain is working better now. The name of the book is the "Zweng" manual. As my dad tells me, it was his bible when doing FE training. I'm not sure if it's still in production but you might be able to find it on ebay or something.