Second Officer vs. Flight Engineer

Joey Jo Jo · Post by **Joey Jo Jo** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:17 pm

Can anyone tell me the difference between these two as it relates to something such as a 727?

Checked out the First Air website and the SO requires 300 hrs multi-ifr while the engineer is 50 hrs.

Thanks
Joey

Panama Jack · Post by **Panama Jack** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:23 pm

In Canada, the distinction between SO and FE is that an SO is a pilot who fills the sidesaddle duties. An FE is not a pilot-- he is actually a Mechanic. Some companies like FE's because they can fix things if they go broken in the Stix.

In the US, they simply use the term Flight Engineer. The guys who will not move into the right seat are called Professional Flight Engineers (PFE's).

In the end, pilot or mechanic background, it is still the same guy who slams the car door on his legs after the flight.

Joey Jo Jo · Post by **Joey Jo Jo** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:27 pm

Ok thanks, much clearer

brokenwing · Post by **brokenwing** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:34 pm

go for the PIC in a 172 or 180.

Joey Jo Jo · Post by **Joey Jo Jo** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:57 pm

Brokenwing,

Solid advice...are you speaking from experience??

FA28 guy · Post by **FA28 guy** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:22 am

First Air used to use both commercial pilots or AME's as second officers. The trend is to have commercial pilots fill the position. It's cheaper

Joey Jo Jo · Post by **Joey Jo Jo** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:28 am

Not sure if they pay well compared to others, but:

Currently the base pay is approx. 1200/mo (Starting) and $12/flight hour, so it depends on how much flying you do.

Anyone know how this compares to the industry standard, if there is such a thing??

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:02 pm

DA900 · Post by **DA900** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:17 pm

Morningstar hires only FE for there B-727 now. As Panama Jack stated they been stuck at airports because the engine needed some oil and none of the crew was allowed to put any in because they had a SO on board.

clear_right · Post by **clear_right** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:02 pm

ACE pays aprox $33,000 to start in the back.

jihaad · Post by **jihaad** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:13 pm

ACE is out of business. They are on their last leg.

TOCA · Post by **TOCA** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:34 pm

ACE is not out of business > The guys there are working thier N@TS off .
Working between 20 -23 days a month .

oldtimer · Post by **oldtimer** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:17 pm

If they pooch a starter on an engine in a 727, they can use air from an operating engine to start the pooched one but a mechanic has to switch stuff in the tail and the third pilot, who does not have a window seat has been replaced with computers, GPS and other electronic marvels so the older generation airplanes carry a mechanic. When he washes his hands and puts on clean clothes, he is called an FE. or so I have been told.