I want to cross train out of my current AFSC. Flight engineering is 1 of my options. Would you recommend this to someone who is married? Also how long is the tech school, and to what degree of difficulty is it? I'm a former Guidance and control troop, and I am presently an Avionic back shop instructor at Sheppard, so I have a strong avionics background.
The AMC way of life is vastly different than AETC. The AMC life centers on deployments. GAC goes just as much as everyone else. If you have a strong marriage and a good relationship with your wife, you can survive anything the military throws at you. My wife and I have been married 20 years. I was flying when we met and that is the only way she's known me. She has stuck with me through lengthy separations and shorter ones.
Realize that the job of the flight engineer is to refuel aircraft, move cargo, etc. It is a job that centers on TDYs. Although, since 9/11 I've deployed more than gone TDY and staying in a hotel is now a treat instead of a desert brown tent. Again, you have to weight the benefits of a challenging job versus family separation.
I came in as a loadmaster in Basic. I cross-trained 7 years later and became an engineer. I don't think the school was that hard, and that's when the military was teaching it with a 50% washout rate. Now the schools are all civilian contracted, and it's a kinder, gentler school. The contractors get paid for each student who graduates, so there is little chance you would fail, unless you just decided you didn't want to do it anymore.
The tech schools last a total of 5 months: 2 months of BFE (Basic Flight Engineer school) at Altus (you can drive home whenever you want), and 3 months of TTU, depending on which aircraft you end up on. C-5s train at Altus, C-130s at Littlerock. KC-10s train at their home base Travis or McGuire. E-3s are at Tinker. There is a host of other aircraft, but I don't know their particulars. You also have Combat and Water Survival School at Fairchild, and roughly six months training at home station before you become mission ready.
The rewards go far beyond the tangible, however. At the end of the day you can see the end result of your work, you've moved your mission from point A to B. Since becoming an engineer, I've earned four Air Medals, two Aerial Achievement medals, and have been awarded the AF Outstanding Unit Award eleven times, twice with valor (getting shot at). My wife wasn't thrilled to learn of that. Both events occurred over Afghanistan. I've flown 3 different aircraft and logged over 8,100 flight hours.
Making a good career choice is one I feel is very important. I am currently on terminal leave, and making the transition to civilian life. Today's demands on the military are very strenuous, and a change like this is one I wouldn't suggest or take lightly. With the demands I am facing today, it would be very difficult to stay in for another 4 or more years. That's why I'm retiring.
The basic responsibilities of an Air Force Flight Engineer include flight inspection before, during and after flights, maintenance and efficient servicing and rectification of the aircraft in order to ensure safe operations. Personnel are usually assigned important combat roles, in tactical as well as airlift operations. They also operate and monitor engine and aircraft system controls, panels, indicators and devices.
Major Responsibilities Of An Air Force Flight Engineer
The main responsibilities of an Air Force Flight Engineer are as follows:
- Flight Engineers perform aircrew visual inspection and maintain aircraft records during flight, as well as when the flight is away from the home station.
- Development and implementation of aircraft weight, balance and performance data. They also compute hover, takeoff, climb and landing data and determine the average consumption of engine fuel with the help of airspeed, atmospheric data, charts, computer or electronic calculators.
- Record performance data and system status of an aircraft for maintenance debrief and aircraft usage analysis.
- Operate and monitor engine and aircraft systems, controls and indicators. In addition to this, they also assist the pilot and help during engine starts, as well as check run-up, flight operations and engine shutdown. They control and regulate certain aircraft systems, such as hydraulic, pneudraulic, fuel, electronic, air conditioning, pressurization, auxiliary power unit and lubrication communication, navigation, radar and depressurization and system failure.
- They issue warnings about overheating and depressurization and report to the pilot about any abnormal conditions; they also suggest corrective measures.
- Oversee the qualification flight of personnel engaged in flight engineer activities, during the flight test and operation organization.
- Direct standardization of flight engineer performance in relation to the aircraft performance engineering conditions of engines and adopt several preventive measure programs.
- Observe engine instruments and adjust controls per the orders of the pilot.
- Flight engineers also perform several technical functions such as resolving technical problems that are often encountered by operating units. They also offer suggestions and technical assistance to agencies that are engaged in the functions associated with flight engineer activities.
- Report the status of flight engineer activities and adequacy of equipment.
Eligibility
In order to become an Air Force Flight Engineer, it is necessary to have knowledge of electrical, communication, navigation, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems that are applied to air crafts and the related systems, flight theory, minor in-flight maintenance, personal equipment and proper use of oxygen. Applicants are expected to understand and interpret diagrams, schematics, aircraft performance, charts, technical publications, as well as flight journals.
With the number of new flights launched every year, Air Force Flight Engineers are in great demand. This job is rewarding and lucrative. It offers immense job satisfaction at the end of every mission, as the Engineer can see their endeavors end in significant results. The career calls for strong determination and a desire to rise above the ordinary.
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