what is a flight engineer

A flight engineer is a member of an aircrafts flight crew who monitors and operates its complex aircraft systems. They are responsible for ensuring that the plane is operating properly and communicating and fixing any issues that arise. The flight engineer is an integrated member of the flight deck crew who works in close coordination with the two pilots during all phases of flight. The flight engineer is primarily concerned with the operation and monitoring of all aircraft systems, and is required to diagnose and rectify any faults that may arise. On most multi-engine airplanes, the flight engineer sets and adjusts engine power during takeoff, climb, cruise, go-arounds, or at any time the pilot flying requests a specific power setting to be set during the flight. Flight engineers can still be found on some larger fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters. In most modern aircraft, their complex systems are both monitored and adjusted by electronic microprocessors and computers, resulting in the elimination of the flight engineers position.