Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Pilot Lounge > Hangar Talk
FE written worth it? >

FE written worth it?

Search

Notices
Hangar Talk For non-aviation-related discussion and aviation threads that don't belong elsewhere
View Poll Results: Does taking the FE exam help you in the long run?
Yes
26.67%
No
26.67%
Couldn't hurt
46.67%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

FE written worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-24-2007, 09:17 AM
  #1  
Che Guevara
Thread Starter
 
ToiletDuck's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Default FE written worth it?

Does taking the FE exam help you in the long run?
ToiletDuck is offline  
Old 10-24-2007, 10:49 AM
  #2  
Flying Farmer
 
Ewfflyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
Default

That would depend on whether or not you want to be an FE in your life?
Ewfflyer is offline  
Old 10-24-2007, 11:01 AM
  #3  
APC co-founder
 
HSLD's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Default

[Most] all working FEs are in the over age 60 crowd so there is no shortage of qualified and currently hired guys wanting that job. Also, as FedEx continues to convert the DC-10 to an MD-10 - where are the FE jobs?

I don't think having the rating will hurt you, and in fact it could be a good education if if you approach it like you'll be doing the job. Black boxes have replaced the FE on new jets, so like FAA certified navigators, it's not a growth industry.
HSLD is offline  
Old 10-24-2007, 12:08 PM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
mccube5's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 722
Default

seems like in the next 20 years that position will cease to exist. anyone agree with that assessment? i mean, what planes with require fe's in the future?
mccube5 is offline  
Old 10-24-2007, 01:59 PM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Stormy Knight's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: DC9 Capt.
Posts: 108
Default

I'm not aware of any additional quals that will work against you. If you arenot flying transport aircraft, it will give you a little more insight to what goes on in this world. Some airlines used to req. the written (true at ABX when I got on, but that's getting to be awhile ago), but as said above, FE is not exactly a growth area.
Stormy Knight is offline  
Old 10-24-2007, 06:12 PM
  #6  
Che Guevara
Thread Starter
 
ToiletDuck's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Default

Originally Posted by HSLD
[Most] all working FEs are in the over age 60 crowd so there is no shortage of qualified and currently hired guys wanting that job. Also, as FedEx continues to convert the DC-10 to an MD-10 - where are the FE jobs?

I don't think having the rating will hurt you, and in fact it could be a good education if if you approach it like you'll be doing the job. Black boxes have replaced the FE on new jets, so like FAA certified navigators, it's not a growth industry.
HSLD the main reason I ask is that I downloaded the coversheet to send out and noticed that it mentions the FE exam along with the score. I can't remember who I received a CV from, maybe FlyerJosh?, but it had a FE test and score as well. I was just wondering if it's something a lot of people do to make themselves more competitive in the future. I'd study and take the exam, I'm pretty good at getting good scores on those things, but I didn't know if they had them because of their previous job or if it actually put another notch on your belt for employment.
ToiletDuck is offline  
Old 10-25-2007, 07:54 AM
  #7  
Gets Weekends Off
 
74plb's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Posts: 215
Default

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck
HSLD the main reason I ask is that I downloaded the coversheet to send out and noticed that it mentions the FE exam along with the score. I can't remember who I received a CV from, maybe FlyerJosh?, but it had a FE test and score as well. I was just wondering if it's something a lot of people do to make themselves more competitive in the future. I'd study and take the exam, I'm pretty good at getting good scores on those things, but I didn't know if they had them because of their previous job or if it actually put another notch on your belt for employment.
I'd say the cost is minimal and its not that tough to get the written out of the way. It might help getting your foot in the door at World for instance. Evergreen has gone to a SO program as well. The FE written got my friend at NAC hired a few years back. So it's not a dead end job entirely. He's now an FO on the 73.
For a guy like you with all the other requirements met I'd say do it.
74plb is offline  
Old 10-25-2007, 08:42 AM
  #8  
APC co-founder
 
HSLD's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Default

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck
I'd study and take the exam, I'm pretty good at getting good scores on those things, but I didn't know if they had them because of their previous job or if it actually put another notch on your belt for employment.
As mentioned, having the rating (or written) won't hurt in a any way, and could actually help get you an interview. My point was that FE slots have dried up.

Someone mentioned NAC, and I have to say you've never seen someone work until you've watched the FE on a DC6! I sat on the jumpseat about 5 years ago out of ANC, I don't know if they still fly them, but what a treat that was!

I worked a few thousand hours as a 727FE and it was pretty close to being a real flying job. It was a great education as they teach a lot more nuts and bolts than most current transition classes do. [geez, listen to me....back in the day.... ]
HSLD is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sandlapper
Military
19
04-24-2008 07:21 AM
ShyGuy
Regional
17
08-16-2007 07:02 PM
blastboy
Flight Schools and Training
9
08-02-2007 04:14 PM
N5139
Foreign
4
07-11-2007 09:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices