FE/DX Practical? - other stuff

[minitour]

Going through the exotic written tests that I can take while I'm sitting on my ass doing nothing, I've started prepping for the ATP written (seems fairly straight forward enough) and have been considering the FE written.

I know what the ATP practical is, but what is the FE practical?

Anyone know of a good (read: cheap/quick) place to get a DX practical taken care of?

-mini

PS
Any other written tests I should consider taking? It's a lasergrade facility, so the options are there. Parachute rigger? Is there one for A&P? How about cosmetology? Just curious what y'all think.

 

[PC12Cowboy]

Mini...they have one for werking the honey cart...but its really hard!!!.....lmfao

 

[350DRIVER]

In years past quite a few of the majors wanted the FE written passed, those days are gone for the most part since most of the three person equipment requiring the FE no longer exist. Five to ten years ago if you were hired on at UAL, DAL, and NWA just to name a few it would not be abnormal to be hired into the FE seat as a second officer. The 72's, 74's, 10', and 11's will always have a place in cargo operations and those markets, many of the operators down south (smaller) do hire into the FE seat so getting it will probably not harm you. Even if you have no desire or ambition to ever obtain the FE ticket or fly with one of these carriers it will atleast be something you can add to your resume so it will not be viewed as a "negative". If you have the opportunity to take it on the school's tab at no cost to you then by all means do so.

The practical is done on a panel, you can do this at numerous places although limited. A place in Atlanta offers a "course" where you can get this done in a reasonable amount of time as well as others.

 

[minitour]

Mini...they have one for werking the honey cart...but its really hard!!!.....lmfao

Since I'm gonna be a CFI, I should probably take the one where you learn all sorts of ways to say, "would you like to Biggie size that?".

OOOOH Where is that linky...I'll find it...don't you worry.

-mini

*edit*
Here it is...the "Study Guide" for that test which will be oh so important to me...

http://load.pquinn.com/binaries/fries/

 

[bobbysamd]

Fex/feb/fej

I know what the ATP practical is, but what is the FE practical?

Flight Engineer. There are at least three variants of the written exam. The practical would depend on the equipment in which you would be flying.

At one time airlines operated equipment that included flight engineers as part of the cockpit crew, with the FE being those airlines' entry-level position. Some airlines hired Professional Flight Engineers; these individuals were not pilots but usually had some kind of maintenance background. PFEs are still around, but are becoming less common.

As was written above, most majors are doing away with equipment that requires flight engineers, but many freight carriers still operate equipment that uses them. The FEs who are hired generally have extensive prior experience. There's no harm in taking the exam, if you like taking FAA writtens, but, unless you are shooting for a company that requires it, there is no real need to take it. Same goes for buying the rating (and, no, it would not be P-F-T, unless a specific employer told you it must be purchased as a condition of hire).

 

[minitour]

...Same goes for buying the rating (and, no, it would not be P-F-T, unless a specific employer told you it must be purchased as a condition of hire).

Don't you mean "attending the required training program and then, through sucessful completion of a practical exam, earning the rating?". If there are ratings out there that can be bought, we're all in big trouble...

-mini

 

[bobbysamd]

Buying a rating

...Same goes for buying the rating (and, no, it would not be P-F-T, unless a specific employer told you it must be purchased as a condition of hire).

Don't you mean "attending the required training program and then, through sucessful completion of a practical exam, earning the rating?". If there are ratings out there that can be bought, we're all in big trouble...

"Buying a rating" is a term of art. The expression is commonplace for "attending the required training program and then, through successful completion of a practical exam, earning the rating." Especially from places where it is easier to "attend, " "complete" and "earn" than others. "Buying a rating" usually connotes getting it for a specific purpose, e.g., buying a 737 type to be apply to Southwest.

 

[EagleRJ]

Going through the exotic written tests that I can take while I'm sitting on my ass doing nothing, I've started prepping for the ATP written (seems fairly straight forward enough) and have been considering the FE written.

I know what the ATP practical is, but what is the FE practical?

Anyone know of a good (read: cheap/quick) place to get a DX practical taken care of?

-mini

It can't hurt to have your FEX written when you apply for jobs, even if the company doesn't have any 3-pilot aircraft. It shows your willingness to go the extra mile to further your education, and it might show a little more mechanical aptitude in aircraft systems.

I've never talked to anyone who has done the practical on their own. Most FEs get their practical done with the company during IOE. I suppose if you really wanted to have the whole ticket, you could talk to FedEx or another 727 operator and see if they'll let you and your DE sit at the panel while they load the plane.
Keep in mind that the 24 month clock starts running on any written you take, unless you are employed at a 121 or 135 carrier!

If you're looking for obscure ratings to add to your ticket, get your FEB! There are still a few operators with DC-7s and DC-8s that employ them.

 

[A Squared]

If you're looking for obscure ratings to add to your ticket, get your FEB! There are still a few operators with DC-7s and DC-8s that employ them.

Ok, gotta ask, what exactly is an FEB? must be an unusual rating to be good for a DC-7 *and* a DC-8

 

[bobbysamd]

Ok, gotta ask, what exactly is an FEB? must be an unusual rating to be good for a DC-7 *and* a DC-8

Flight Engineer Basic, for recip equipment - though I'd think you'd need an FEX or FEJ for a DC-8.

 

[EagleRJ]

Whoops! Inattention strikes again- I meant the DC-6 and DC-7.

Who knows if those are even offered anymore. They're all but obsolete, and there are probably only several dozen aircraft in the States that use them anymore. I'd bet most of the FEs on them now are PFEs and will outlive the aircraft's remaining service life. It'd be kind of cool to have though...

 

[A Squared]

Whoops! Inattention strikes again- I meant the DC-6 and DC-7.

Heee heee, it strikes the best of us.

They are still offered, check my profile under "ratings"

The practical is done on a panel, you can do this at numerous places although limited. A place in Atlanta offers a "course" where you can get this done in a reasonable amount of time as well as others.

While this is true, it should be noted that "on a panel" means that it had to be a level 6 or better FTD or a Simulator approved for Flight Engineer training and checking. Sitting in an empty airplane on the ground isn't enough. If the aforementiond devices aren't available, the checkride had to be in a real airplane in actual flight. Also a FE certificate issued on a simulator ride carries a restriction which can only be lifted by the engineer being observed operationaly in a real aircraf in flight. I don't know the details on the restriction

 

[Thedude]

The restriction for an F/E ticket completed in the sim is simple. All you can operate are cargo a/c, NO pax a/c. If memory serves you have to have 5 hrs of observed experience by a supervisory F/E to have the restrcition removed.