Flight engineer qualifications

This regulation establishes currency requirements for flight engineers on Part 121 aircraft. To serve as a flight engineer, a person must meet one of two conditions within the preceding six calendar months:

1. Have logged at least 50 hours of flight time as a flight engineer on that specific type of airplane, OR 2. Complete a check ride with the certificate holder or FAA demonstrating familiarity and competence with all essential current information and operating procedures for that airplane type

The regulation also notes that a proficiency check conducted under §121.425(a)(2) counts toward satisfying these currency requirements.

This ensures flight engineers maintain recent experience and current knowledge specific to each aircraft type they operate. The six-month window means a flight engineer who hasn't flown a particular type recently must complete a check ride before returning to service on that aircraft, even if they remain current on other types.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*