What is the primary role of a flight engineer?

The primary role of a flight engineer is to monitor and operate aircraft systems during flight. This position involves overseeing critical systems such as engines, fuel, electrical, and hydraulic systems, ensuring that they are functioning properly throughout the flight. Flight engineers are responsible for conducting pre-flight checks and ongoing assessments while in the air, responding to any anomalies, and making adjustments to maintain optimal performance of the aircraft.

This role is crucial because the flight engineer acts as a vital link between the cockpit and the performance of the aircraft systems, providing support to the pilots by managing technical aspects which allows them to focus on navigation and flying operations. The flight engineer's expertise in the aircraft's technical systems contributes significantly to the safety and efficiency of the flight.