Hogg
To expand. My actual viewpoint is that pilots could do with more technical training, and a F/E is familiar with every aspect of the operation except (maybe) the handling, which is the easy bit IMHO.
When you talk about needing flight engineers, it seems to me you are more talking about the flight engineers station, rather than the person. Myself, I'd rather give them some stick time and then call us all pilots. Or Flight Deck Managers. Or whatever PC term is de rigeur.
. .Hand Solo
Regarding climbing out of the aircraft to fix a problem, I direct you to the case of <a href="http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/award.asp?vc=626" target="_blank">Jackson VC</a>
CPB
[ 19 February 2002: Message edited by: Capt Pit Bull ]</p>