Pilot or flight engineer ?
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somewhere in the sky. Maybe.
Age: 50
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilot or flight engineer ?
What do you guys think about being a pilot these days ?
For those of you who fly commercialy with an airline : do you still feel yourselves a pilot or rather a flight engineer or systems supervisor ?
Ciao
For those of you who fly commercialy with an airline : do you still feel yourselves a pilot or rather a flight engineer or systems supervisor ?
Ciao
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No I feel a pilot. I think it is a rather naive question- can you see that? It shows how little understanding of aviation you have. It's like me saying 'you work in the fashion field.....mmm.....does that make you gay then? How does being gay in the modern world make you feel? What do you do about it?'
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You ask a legitimate question. Parsed into common terms, are we supervisors of the autopilot and systems, or are we still pilots. Flight Engineer, of course, is a dedicated position separate from a pilot position, and which exists on very few airplanes today.
I am both a flight engineer and pilot. I hold both certificates. I'm also a mechanic. I fly large four engine and two engine airplanes, large and small single engine tailwheel airplanes, and various things in between. In some airplanes I use the rudder until my legs ache, and on other airframes I hardly touch anything aside from doing the programming and manipulating the autopilot. In either case, I'm still the pilot in command. Even in the automated environment, the airplane still requires my input, and the aircraft flight control system is what I use to operate the airplane, regardless of whether it is direct pushrods, control cables, hydraulic lines, or electrical fly-by-wire actuators, or the autopilot via any of these, it's still the pilot flying the airplane, using these tools to do the job.
I see the job from each viewpoint; mechanic, pilot, flight engineer. The trick is learning to keep the lines distinct and separate in function. At any given time, I am all three, always a pilot, forever a mechanic, and if the job requires, a flight engineer.
I am both a flight engineer and pilot. I hold both certificates. I'm also a mechanic. I fly large four engine and two engine airplanes, large and small single engine tailwheel airplanes, and various things in between. In some airplanes I use the rudder until my legs ache, and on other airframes I hardly touch anything aside from doing the programming and manipulating the autopilot. In either case, I'm still the pilot in command. Even in the automated environment, the airplane still requires my input, and the aircraft flight control system is what I use to operate the airplane, regardless of whether it is direct pushrods, control cables, hydraulic lines, or electrical fly-by-wire actuators, or the autopilot via any of these, it's still the pilot flying the airplane, using these tools to do the job.
I see the job from each viewpoint; mechanic, pilot, flight engineer. The trick is learning to keep the lines distinct and separate in function. At any given time, I am all three, always a pilot, forever a mechanic, and if the job requires, a flight engineer.
Buttonpusher
No I feel a pilot. I think it is a rather naive question- can you see that? It shows how little understanding of aviation you have. It's like me saying 'you work in the fashion field.....mmm.....does that make you gay then? How does being gay in the modern world make you feel? What do you do about it?'
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are many differences but none that can be written on this forum
, how about we get back on topic.
From my experience, yes I have only piloted in a Piper Warrior, flying in any plane is the same, its flying just some make it easier than others.
It really depends what you are interested in, if you are interested in mechanics of cars such as the engine etc then a mechanic is probably the way to go. If you are a machine operator and enjoy that type of job then flight engineer and if you enjoy the freedom that the air provides the pilot is probably for you. But having said that if you are in GA you probably can all three.
, how about we get back on topic.From my experience, yes I have only piloted in a Piper Warrior, flying in any plane is the same, its flying just some make it easier than others.
It really depends what you are interested in, if you are interested in mechanics of cars such as the engine etc then a mechanic is probably the way to go. If you are a machine operator and enjoy that type of job then flight engineer and if you enjoy the freedom that the air provides the pilot is probably for you. But having said that if you are in GA you probably can all three.
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But you've only piloted a Warrior. How can you answer the question with a lecture? The question is one of two things: either muckraking or unbelievably naive. Neither of which are worth answering. If you think that is hostile, maybe it is, but I find it a little insulting to be asked. If someone asked me this to my face at a party, I would probably reply that as they plainly didn't understand anything about aviation, they wouldn't understand any sensible answer.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: BRUSSELS
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Come on Rainboe, why on earth do you have to be so negative on all candid questions? If the question does not deserve the privilege of your answer, just don't answer!
Guppy gave a beautiful and exhaustive answer to an indeed legitimate question, even though a bit candid.
I would like to add that it is also a question of state of mind. Some people come into this job "to be a pilot", other just because they "like to fly".
Choose youe side comrade!
Guppy gave a beautiful and exhaustive answer to an indeed legitimate question, even though a bit candid.
I would like to add that it is also a question of state of mind. Some people come into this job "to be a pilot", other just because they "like to fly".
Choose youe side comrade!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: nest
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i fly a B743 i enjoy being apilot flying this big bird manually or with the help of an autopilot,flight engineer sits behind and watch what apilot do,it depends what one likes, to actually fly the aeroplane or watch someone flying
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But you've only piloted a Warrior. How can you answer the question with a lecture? The question is one of two things: either muckraking or unbelievably naive. Neither of which are worth answering. If you think that is hostile, maybe it is, but I find it a little insulting to be asked. If someone asked me this to my face at a party, I would probably reply that as they plainly didn't understand anything about aviation, they wouldn't understand any sensible answer.
Are you capable and do you have it in you to contribute to the thread, or are you simply needlessly consuming oxygen somewhere with no inherent ability to be in any way, shape or form, of the slightest value? Have you anything to say of the slightest worth? If so, then muster up all your reserves and do that.
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did answer, in post #2, as much as the question merited. Now do you feel better for your hysterical tirade? I'm afraid I still find the question naive and unintentionally offensive. End of thread for me. I wonder why some get deleted when this garbage survives!
