So You Want to be a Flight Engineer...

The flight engineer is in the center of the action, seated between the two pilots in the C-130. He or she makes sure the aircraft is "healthy", keeping an eye on rows of dials--and is quick to respond if something goes wrong. This requires an in-depth knowledge of how the airplane works, acquired through formal schools as well as from prior experience in aircraft maintenance or other flying jobs.

What a Flight Engineer Does

The flight engineer inspects the airplane before and after each flight. The preflight can take over an hour, since there are so many systems to check. S/he computes aircraft performance data: how much runway is needed for takeoff and landing, how high the airplane can fly, how quickly the fuel is being used, etc. The engineer constantly monitors engine instruments to make sure everything is working properly, and keeps an eye out for malfunctions. If there is a malfunction, the flight engineer does a lot of the trouble shooting to determine just what the problem is. Obviously, math skills and mechanical aptitude are very important for this job.

Eligibility

You must already have a military background, with a rank of at least E-4. Most of our candidates come from the aircraft maintenance or flying career fields. This is an enlisted crew position, which means you do not need a college degree, but should have a high school diploma or equivalent. If you do not have an AFSC in aircraft maintenance or an aircrew specialty, you may be considered if you hold an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P;) Certificate. You must be in excellent health (see the step on flight physical on the previous page).

Outlook

There is a possibility the flight engineer position may be eliminated in some newer aircraft, so as the Hurricane Hunters receive newer C-130's, there may be fewer jobs available here. However, there will still be a need for flight engineers for quite some time throughout the Air Force and Air Force Reserve.