Engineer. The role of flight engineer was introduced in 1942 as the new heavy bombers required seven-man crews. The flight engineer controlled the aircraft’s mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems. He also assisted the pilot with take-off and landing.
What did a flight engineer do in a Lancaster?
Sitting next to the pilot forward of a blackout curtain in their own cramped concentrated world was the flight engineer. Introduced in 1942, the flight engineer was expected to know his aircraft inside and out and be able to cope with any emergency through either mechanical faults or enemy action.
What were the crew positions on a Lancaster bomber?
A Lancaster Bomber had a crew of seven: pilot, navigator, bomb aimer, flight engineer, wireless operator, mid gunner and rear gunner.
What was the life expectancy of a tail gunner?
The Rear-Turret Gunners were in the most vulnerable position on the Plane. The life expectancy of a WW2 Rear-gunner varied but was never high, mostly about just 5-Sorties.
How many pilots did a Lancaster bomber have?
The standard crew for a Lancaster consisted of seven men, stationed in various positions in the fuselage. Starting at the nose, the bomb aimer had two positions to man.
What is the purpose of the flight engineer?
Flight Engineers are members of an aircraft’s crew that oversee the systems within said aircraft. Their main task is to make sure that the plane is operating properly and to communicate and fix it when it is not.
What did a flight engineer do?
Overview: The Flight Engineer is responsible for monitoring all aircraft engine and control systems while in-flight. They also perform pre-flight and post-flight inspections when the aircraft is away from home station.
What did a flight engineer do in ww2?
His job was to monitor mechanical operation of the aircraft. If fuel leaks occurred, landing gear were stuck, turrets were jammed, or other problems resulting from battle damage or flak, it was the responsibility of the engineer to recognize the problem and try to repair it.
What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crew?
Nothing in the peacetime lives of thousands of young Americans had prepared them for the violence that lay ahead. Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.
What are the ranks in bomber crew?
These officers pictured are the pilot, co-pilot, navigator and bombardier. The rest of the crew included a tail gunner, a ball turret gunner, two waist gunners, a flight engineer and a radio operator.
What was the life expectancy of a chopper pilot Vietnam?
Being a helicopter pilot in Vietnam was one of the most dangerous jobs in the military at the time. The military used 12,000 helicopters in the Vietnam War. Over 5,000, or nearly half, were destroyed. The average lifespan of a pilot in Riede’s position was 30 days.
Does the B-52 still have a tail gun?
By 1992, the Air Force had removed the guns from all its remaining B-52Gs and Hs. The service’s 111X0s, including Wellbaum, transitioned to other jobs. Neither the B-1 Bone nor the B-2 Spirit bombers ever had tail guns.
What was the life expectancy of a tank crew in WW2?
six weeks
According to the vets, the life expectancy of a tank crew member was only six weeks.
What was the life expectancy of a ww2 pilot?
The average life expectancy of a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain was just four weeks. Despite this alarming figure, aspiring fighter pilots continued to join the RAF throughout the conflict, supporting the efforts of ground troops and defending their country.
How many gallons of fuel did a Lancaster bomber hold?
Fuel capacity was increased from 1,700 to 2,154 gallons and range increased from 1,200 miles to 2,350 miles.
Did Lancaster bombers have toilets?
During World War 2, large bomber aircraft, such as the American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the British Avro Lancaster, carried chemical toilets (basically a bucket with seat and cover, see bucket toilet); in British use, they were called “Elsans” after the company that manufactured them.
What’s the difference between a pilot and a flight engineer?
Are Flight Engineers Pilots? A flight engineer does not pilot the aircraft. Instead, you assist the pilot by monitoring the aircraft’s instruments and performing maintenance during the flight. You are also responsible for performing a basic inspection of the engine and other mechanical systems before each flight.
Do they still use flight engineers?
With advances in modern technology, this position — the flight engineer — has been all but eliminated in the modern day airliner design. Flight engineers were responsible for operating and monitoring the hydraulic, pressurization, fuel, electrical and air conditioning systems.
Are flight engineers also pilots?
A flight engineer does not pilot the airplane but ensures all mechanical and technical components are working properly. They work closely with the pilot and other crew members to communicate safety, navigational and systems information.
Does a flight engineer make more than a pilot?
The median annual salary for commercial pilots was $99,640 in 2021 while airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers earned a median salary of $202,180 according to the BLS.
How long does it take to be a flight engineer?
Two years of college is considered the minimum educational requirement for flight engineers; however, most airlines prefer to hire applicants who are college graduates. In order to increase job prospects, you can acquire a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical or mechanical engineering.