什么是飞航工程师（Flight Engineer）？
飞航工程师（Flight Engineer，F/E，又称飞行工程师、随机工程师），在旧一代的大型飞机，主要在起飞前与降落后检查飞机，并在飞行期间检查操作飞机的系统，包括液压操控、燃油消耗、机舱增压、电力等系统。在部分军用飞机，飞航工程师更会进行飞行前的完全检查。基本上，飞航工程师是飞机系统专家，专责解决飞机系统的问题、提供飞行紧急情况的处理方案，并计算起飞与降落的数据。
在旧式民航机与及部分军机上，飞航工程师坐在正副飞行员的后面，并面向侧面的一排仪表。有些军机，例如P-3猎户式飞机与C-130H飞机，飞航工程师则坐在正副飞行员的中间。图波列夫Tu-134更特别，飞航工程师是坐在机头尖端。
由于飞机系统操控的电脑化与自动化，飞机上的电脑系统能自动监察飞机系统，并将故障直接向飞行员报告，目前新型的飞机已经不需要有飞航工程师，大幅节省了航空公司的人力成本。不过，一些现在还在服务中的旧型飞机，例如波音747的-100、-200、-300与-SP，还有洛克希德的L-1011三星飞机与波音DC-10飞机，仍然需要飞航工程师随航。另外，当年在换转换新机时，由于来自于劳组的压力，部份航空公司仍然有一段时间使用三人乘务模式。
部分的航空交通机构，会对于一些同时持有飞行员执照的飞航工程师，称呼为“第二副驾驶”（Second Officer）。
At one time, the flight engineer functionedas an inflight maintenance person. Today, the flight engineer is a technical expert, who must be thoroughly familiar with the operation and function of various airplane components. The principal function of the flight engineer is to assist the pilots in theoperation of the airplane. Specific duties vary with different airplanesand operators
Flight engineers, categorized as cockpit crew, assistthe captain and co-pilot in large aircraft by monitoring and operating many ofthe systems, making minor in-flight repairs where possible and watching forother aircraft. They advise the pilots in command and help them to makedecisions. In short, they are the technical advisors of the aircraft.
Beforedeparting of the aircraft, flight engineers along with thecaptain in command and the co-pilot, study the route and destination weather,as well as the flight plan for the specific aircraft and route to be flown. Afuel decision is taken based on the available data, such as the route winds,the all up weight of the aircraft and destination weather. The flight plan iscomputer generated, and given all the data, it selects flight levels and fuelrequired.
Before the engines are started, flight engineers check that the engines,controls, instruments and other systems are working properly and that anymaintenance work required have been completed. They also ensure that the fuelcontent corresponds to the amount reflected on the flight plan. An exteriorcheck is also carried out to ensure that the aircraft is in a safe conditionfor the flight.
During the take off, flight engineers ensure that the correct thrust setting isselected on the engines and monitor the engines very closely for anyabnormality. During flight, they monitor all the aircraft systems, includingelectrics, fuel, air-conditioning, pressurisation and hydraulics, as well asthe engines . Air-conditioning is monitored for the comfort of the crew andpassengers.
Should a defect develop during the flight, flight engineers normally rectify itby means of a check list or fault reporting manual. There are various manualsaboard the aircraft and the seriousness of the defect would dictate whichmanual or check list is used.
Flight engineers monitor the amount of fuel used and compare this with the flightplan that was obtained on departure. Many engine and other related readings arelogged, which are used to predict any serious malfunction by computer systemson the ground.
A flight engineer is a memberof an airplane crew who is responsible for overseeing the systems on anairplane during flight to confirm that they are working and to enact repairs orcorrections if necessary. Flight engineers are increasingly being replaced bycomputerized systems which serve the same functions, but they are stillnecessary on some aircraft. The military is a major employer of flightengineers, and many flight engineers enjoy military work because they get toexplore cutting edge aircraft and to work in very diverse conditions.
Before an aircraft takes off, aflight engineer inspects it to confirm that it is safe to fly and to run downthe preflight checklist. Once a plane is in flight, the flight engineermonitors all of the plane's systems for signs of problems, and controls enginepower, the electrical systems, fuel usage, pressurization, air conditioning,and air in the cabin of the aircraft. Flight engineers work with the pilot toaddress the pilot's needs, and they are also prepared to address unexpectedevents while in flight. After the flight, the plane is inspected again.
Flight engineers have trainingin airplane mechanics and the various tasks they will need to perform. Theymust also usually be licensed by a regulatory agency, usually the same agencywhich licenses pilots. Flight engineers have to demonstrate time spent in theclassroom and time spent gathering practical skills working on aircraft to becertified, and they also usually need to pass an exam to become certified. Inaddition, they may need to pass a medical exam to confirm that they are safe tofly.
Some flight engineers are alsopilots. Historically, the flight engineer could potentially step in to pilotthe plane if a problem developed, and modern flight engineer-pilots tend tokeep up their licenses to confirm that they are capable of flying a plane ifnecessary. On some airlines, the flight engineer is known as the secondofficer, and working as a second officer is the first step in climbing thecareer ladder to become an airline pilot.
In addition to workingon operational aircraft, flight engineers can also be involved in aviationresearch and development. Their practical skills can be applied totroubleshooting experimental aircraft, developing new systems for aircraft, andtesting aircraft as they move through the various design phases. To obtain thiskind of work, a flight engineer generally needs to have extensive education andexperience, and a pilot's license is often strongly recommended.