Flight engineer

Flight engineer - overview

As a flight engineer, you’ll be part of an aircraft's flight crew. You’ll be responsible for checking, regulating, testing and adjusting aircraft before they take off. Read more about the role and what qualifications you’ll need to get a job.

Learn what the role involves below.

What does a flight engineer do?

As a flight engineer you could work for different organisations on a variety of aircraft. Your role might include fixing and testing aircraft, helping pilots and assisting with pre-flight navigation.

Your main responsibility will be to make sure the aircraft you’re working on is safe and working as it should be. It’s a job that comes with a lot of responsibility, as you have to be sure the aircraft is safe to fly. Because of this, it’s a respectable career that comes with high salaries.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

Creating flight plans that include how high to fly, what the maximum load should be and how much fuel is needed
Carrying out pre-flight checks of the aircraft and safety systems
Carrying out repair work on aircraft
Reading flight-related gauges and instruments
Helping with pre-flight navigation

FAQs

How much can you earn as a flight engineer?

The average salary for a flight engineer in the UK is £88,920. Graduates start at around £34,500.

Does a flight engineer role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

Travel to sites for training and work is common as a flight engineer. You might need to travel abroad if your job involves flying on the aircraft you’re working on.