Regulation Text
(a) No person may operate the following airplanes without a flight crewmember holding a current flight engineer certificate:
(1) An airplane for which a type certificate was issued before January 2, 1964, having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 80,000 pounds.
(2) An airplane type certificated after January 1, 1964, for which a flight engineer is required by the type certification requirements.
(b) No person may serve as a required flight engineer on an airplane unless, within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has had at least 50 hours of flight time as a flight engineer on that type airplane or has been checked by the Administrator on that type airplane and is found to be familiar and competent with all essential current information and operating procedures.
The short answer
(14 CFR § 91.529) A flight engineer holding a current certificate is required on airplanes type certificated before January 2, 1964, with a maximum certificated takeoff weight over 80,000 pounds, or on airplanes type certificated after January 1, 1964, when the type certification requires one. The engineer must have 50 hours on type within the preceding 6 calendar months or be checked by the Administrator.
Research Notes
Common Questions
When is a flight engineer required under § 91.529?
For pre-January 2, 1964 type-certificated airplanes over 80,000 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight, or for post-January 1, 1964 airplanes where the type certification requires one.
“(1) An airplane for which a type certificate was issued before January 2, 1964, having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 80,000 pounds. (2) An airplane type certificated after January 1, 1964, for which a flight engineer is required by the type certification requirements.” — 14 CFR § 91.529(a)
What recent experience must a flight engineer have?
At least 50 hours of flight time as a flight engineer on that type within the preceding 6 calendar months, or a check by the Administrator on that type.
“…within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has had at least 50 hours of flight time as a flight engineer on that type airplane or has been checked by the Administrator on that type airplane…” — 14 CFR § 91.529(b)
What weight triggers the flight engineer requirement for older airplanes?
A maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 80,000 pounds, for airplanes type certificated before January 2, 1964.
“…having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 80,000 pounds.” — 14 CFR § 91.529(a)(1)
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