FE license and time

[727Mania]

Hi, I have always wanted to be a Flight Engineer, it's too bad that the 727's are no longer carrying passengers in the major airlines.

Basically two questions:

1. Could you log FE time as flight hours on type? or how is it classified in the log book?

2. Do you think it's a good way to start as a cargo FE? and how longer do you think 727, L1011's, etc. will be in service?

Alot of people have been telling me, its a job that's phasing out pretty quickly, but I think it will be better to have some experience in it before I regret it forever. I would appreciate your input..thanks

 

[sydeseet]

I got my ticket two years ago - man what training!!!! SO different than any pilot training I've ever had, or probably ever will. Is it a neat ticket to get? Sure, the last of a dying breed. It's helped me feel confident about my ability to learn and understand aircraft systems like I never dreamed I could. I have about 500 hours in the seat which I consider to be very valuable - how they're logged is my/your own business, just be honest when reporting time on applications.

BUT, I wouldn't advise anyone to go out and buy the ticket. 1 - it'll run you upwards of $10k plus 4-6 weeks of your life. This is money and time you could be spending on furthering your career as a pilot. 2 - most PFE's come from the military where not only is the training free but you leave with several year's experience. A guy with a few hundred hours of pilot time and a fresh FE ticket isn't worth much in a carrier's eyes. 3 - The market for a PFE is VERY slim, maybe a handful of operators in existance that have a need for fresh blood. The military keeps most of them stocked and the Major Carriers that still use them (read UPS, DHL, and FedEX) don't hire engineers, they hire pilots.

I love that I have an FE ticket, but it's usefulness is hardly worth noting on a resume these days. Someday maybe Big Brown or Big Purple will appreciate my skills (or my former employer for that matter javascript:smilie('')
wink) but until then it's a piece of paper in between my ATP and my CFI.

Hope this steers you in the right direction!!!!!!

Fly young man, fly........