P-3 Engineers

[Barnie]

Now that I am retired, I seem to be at a loss as to finding a new niche. I had heard that a lot of companies were hiring but now that I am looking, they seemed to have gone away. Would be willing to convert to Hercs. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks

 

[p3hawk]

Hi Barnie, P3hawk here. Good to see another FE on the site. What squadron's were you attached too.

 

[transpac]

Not too many P-3s and Electras are being operated in the civilian world. U.S. Customs has a few and Aero Union operates several. But, Aero Union doesn't use FE's, just pilot and co-pilot. Some civilian C-130's are out there, but it's a small number overall. You're probably better off hooking up with one of the big cargo haulers operating older jets such as DC-8's, B-747's and so on. Some of them use professional FE's (PFE), while others want Second Officer/FE's who can upgrade into a pilot seat. Also, if you haven't already done it, get an A&P certificate and take the turbojet FE written exam. Both are needed to be competitive as a PFE.
I don't have a clue about who's hiring nowadays.

Good Luck!

 

[Barnie]

p3hawk, Started flying as as inflight ordie back in '74. Went through VP-24,16,5,45,56,and 49 in that order. Got out in '88. Returned in '96, went to FE school in '99 then on to VP-94 and finished out my 22.

 

[p3hawk]

Hey barnie, I was also in VP-16,24 NAS JAX, finished up in VP-62 put in 21 years.

Had the time of my life. I retired in 2000

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I think Polar uses all PFE's.

Don't know how many 747 classics that they have left though. Everybody I know over there is on the 400's.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I think Gemini might also have PFE's as well as JAL???? I know one former VP'er who is a PFE for Capitol. Good luck out there.

 

[Barnie]

p3hawk, oh by the way, I forgot to say that when I came back in in '96 I was in Jax and went to VP-62 over in the ond hanger till we moved to hanger 1000. Barnie. At that time I was still riding in the back of the bus.

 

[jobear]

VP-16 from 89-92 when Bush SR did the big draw down. I shudder every time I think of Kef in the winter. And wanna barf everytime I think of the doing bounce and go's with new pilots,urp!
War Eagle Pride! catch it and call the Doc....


Jobear

 

[P3 Tweek]

Ift

Barnie, jobear & p3hawk,
Nice to see some fellow E's doing well in the professional pilot world. I was an Update IFT with 40 & 31 way back in the early eighties. Loved it.
Tweek
PS. Have any of you fellows read the book `Adak' about the VP-9 Papa Delta 02 bird that went down in 78 due to the improper use of the `Fails to Feather' checklist. Awesome book especially for P-3 FE's.

 

[pilotyip]

One of our VP-93 FE's is a PFE at Kalitta on the 747

 

[Barnie]

P3Tweet, sorry to say but am still searching for that flying job. Wouldn't be interested in flying but would be happy to just sit betweem them and tell 'em to shut up and steer. I know that there are billets out there, just have to find them.

Barnie

 

[Keydet]

Wouldn't be interested in flying but would be happy to just sit betweem them and tell 'em to shut up and steer.

Thanks to such advances in the cockpit as the FMS and autothrottles, the annoyance of the peanut gallery in the center seat will soon be gone. Start scouting out parking for the War Winnebago now. I hear the real estate at Davis-Monthan is getting a little crowded, by the way.

 

[VaB]

the annoyance of the peanut gallery in the center seat

Ahh, now, come on man, the P3 mission would have been nothing without them. Just ask 'em.

A nickel for everytime I heard "Engine 3 is wet. Looks like oil. Recommend RTB".

 

[Keydet]

Ahh, now, come on man, the P3 mission would have been nothing without them. Just ask 'em.

A nickel for everytime I heard "Engine 3 is wet. Looks like oil. Recommend RTB".

A nickel?? I'd be Donald Trump rich for every penny I heard the following:

"Why do we have to take that much gas, sir??"

or

"Don't touch MY power levers" (that was genuine entertainment when they would be reminded of what the block "Pilot in Command" meant on the A-sheet and how it was NOT their signature below it)

While discussing the P-3 being replaced by the 737, FE's would ask, "How are you guys going to fly without us?" My answer--"very easily"

 

[pilotyip]

keydey, you must have been a treat to be in the cockpit with. Back in the old days, we cross trained with the second mechs. They were a great much of highly dedicated aircrew members, and I am better person for having worked with them.

 

[VaB]

keydey, you must have been a treat to be in the cockpit with. Back in the old days, we cross trained with the second mechs. They were a great much of highly dedicated aircrew members, and I am better person for having worked with them.

and they've trained you well. Apparently.

 

[Keydet]

keydey, you must have been a treat to be in the cockpit with. Back in the old days, we cross trained with the second mechs. They were a great much of highly dedicated aircrew members, and I am better person for having worked with them.

I had a feeling someone would misunderstand where I was coming from on this. Believe me, I got along with just about everybody on all the crews I was on and still keep in contact with many to this day. In the military, rank has its privileges, but respect is always a two way street. There were plenty of occasions when the cockpit preflight was complete and as the AC, I had no qualms going to the back and helping the rest of the crew load buoys or whatever. Like just about any crew position, I had some FE's that were truly a pleasure to serve with, but then there were others that I really didn't care for.
When you've got an FE who repeatedly pi$$e$ and moans about how much gas we have to take and who never bothers to attend the tactical briefings to find out what we're doing and maybe why we're going to need a little extra for that 6 or 10 hour flight, it gets old. Some of these guys just never seemed to comprehend that if we have to come back early unnecessarily, it's going to be me NOT them, that's going to be standing tall in front of the man explaining why while they hang out in the smoke pit and talk about the "stupid pilots."

 

[pilotyip]

no harm no foul, we all ran across one of these who we wish was in another squadron in our careers.

 

[jobear]

Stupid pilots? you,me, we, us, them, ahh crap now I'm a stupid pilot.

Having been on both sides now when I brake something I go on bended knee to the men/women who actually own the planes we fly,YEAH for the MECHS. I usally bring honorariums or beef jerky as a bribe and plead MIA CULPA several times before I am forgiven my transgression.


HAPPY EASTER