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Requirements to Obtain a Flight Engineer Certificate
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- Be at least 21 years of age.
- The minimum age to take the flight engineer knowledge and practical tests is 19; however, the minimum age to hold a flight engineer certificate is 21.
- A person who is less than 21 years of age and successfully completes the flight engineer practical test will be issued a Letter of Aeronautical Competency.
- When the person presents proof of having reached age 21 and holds at least a
second-class medical certificate, the
Letter of Aeronautical Competency may be exchanged for a flight engineer certificate.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language, or have an appropriate
limitation placed on your FE certificate.
- Hold at least a current FAA second-class medical
certificate.
- You must undergo a routine medical examination which may be administered only by
FAA-designated doctors called aviation medical examiners (AME).
- A second-class (or first-class) medical certificate is valid for 12 months and expires on the last day of the 12th month after the month of issuance.
- The FAA publishes a directory that lists all authorized AMEs by name and address.
Copies of this directory are kept at all FAA offices, Air Traffic Control (ATC)
facilities, and Flight Service Stations (FSS).
- You can search for an AME on our website
- Use Flight Engineer Test Prep
to prepare yourself for the flight engineer knowledge test, which covers the following
areas (FAR 63.35):
- The regulations that apply to the duties of a flight engineer
- The theory of flight and aerodynamics
- Basic meteorology with respect to engine operations
- Center-of-gravity computations
- Preflight
- Airplane equipment
- Airplane systems
- Airplane loading
- Airplane procedures and engine operations with respect to limitations
- Normal operating procedures
- Emergency procedures
- Mathematical computation of engine operations and fuel consumption
- Pass a knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. Most FAA tests are administered at
FAA-designated computer testing centers. The flight engineer test consists of 80
multiple-choice questions selected from the 686 basic and turbojet-related questions among
the 857 questions in the FAA's flight engineer knowledge test bank; the balance of 171
questions are for turboprops and reciprocating engines. Each of the FAA's 686 basic and
turbojet-related questions is reproduced in
Flight Engineer Test Prep with
complete explanations each question.
- To add an additional aircraft class rating, you must pass the appropriate knowledge
and practical tests.
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements (FAR 63.37).
- When taking the flight engineer practical test for the initial issuance of a flight
engineer certificate with a class rating, you must present satisfactory evidence of one
of the following:
- At least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and at least 5
hr. of flight training in the duties of a flight engineer.
- The 5 hr. of flight training may be done in a simulator.
- At least 3 years of diversified practical experience in aircraft and aircraft
engine maintenance (of which at least 1 year was in maintaining multi-engine
aircraft with engines rated at least 800 horsepower each or the equivalent in
turbine-powered engines) and at least 5 hr. of flight training in the duties of a
flight engineer.
- Graduation from at least a 2-year specialized aeronautical training course in
maintaining aircraft and aircraft engines (of which at least 6 calendar months was
in maintaining multi-engine aircraft with engines rated at least 800 horsepower each
or the equivalent in turbine-powered engines) and at least 5 hr. of flight training
in the duties of a flight engineer.
- A degree in aeronautical, electrical, or mechanical engineering from a recognized
college, university, or engineering school; at least 6 calendar months of practical
experience in maintaining multi-engine aircraft with engines rated at least 800
horsepower each or the equivalent in turbine-powered engines; and at least 5 hr. of
flight training in the duties of a flight engineer.
- At least 200 hr. of flight time in a transport-category airplane (or in a
military airplane with at least two engines and at least equivalent weight and
horsepower) as pilot in command or second in command performing the duties of a
pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command.
- At least 100 hr. of flight time as a flight engineer.
- Within the 90-day period before (s)he applies, successful completion of an
approved flight engineer ground and flight course of instruction as provided in
Appendix C of FAR Part 63.
- Successfully complete a practical (oral and flight) test given as a final exam by an FAA
inspector or designated examiner. The practical test will be conducted as specified in the
FAA's Flight Engineer Practical Test Standards (FAA-S-8081-21, dated January 1999).
- The flight engineer practical test covers the following requirements:
- Satisfactorily perform preflight inspection, servicing, starting, pretakeoff, and
postlanding procedures.
- In flight, satisfactorily perform the normal duties and procedures relating to
the airplane, airplane engines, systems, and appliances.
- In flight, in an airplane simulator, or in a flight engineer training device,
demonstrate satisfactory performance of emergency duties and procedures and
recognize and take appropriate action for malfunctions of the airplane, engines,
systems, and appliances.
- See the Flight Engineer Test
Prep appendix, FAA Flight Engineer Practical Test Standards, for a reprint of
the PTS.
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