Wiktionary
n. A member of the flight crew in aircraft who monitors and operates all aircraft systems.
WordNet
n. the flight crewman responsible for mechanical operation while in flight
Wikipedia
A flight engineer (FE), also sometimes called an air engineer, is the member of an aircraft's flight crew who monitors and operates its complex aircraft systems. In the early era of aviation, the position was sometimes referred to as the "air mechanic". Flight engineers can still be found on some larger fixed-wing airplanes, and rotary wing helicopters. A similar crew position exists on some spacecraft. For U.S. civilian aircraft that require a flight engineer as part of the crew, the FE must possess an FAA Flight Engineer certificate with reciprocating, turboprop, or turbojet ratings appropriate to the aircraft. Whereas the four-engine Douglas DC-4 did not require an FE, the FAA Type Certificates of subsequent four engine reciprocating engine airplanes (DC-6, DC-7, Constellation, Boeing 307 and 377) and early three- and four-engine jets (Boeing 707, 727, early 747, DC-10) required flight engineers. Later three- and four-engine jets (MD-11, B-747-400 and later) were designed with sufficient automation to eliminate the position.
Not all large aircraft were designed and built with a flight engineer's position, and in many, if not most modern aircraft, their complex systems are both monitored and adjusted by electronic microprocessors and computers, resulting in the elimination of the flight engineer's position.
Usage examples of "flight engineer".
Jerry Christian, his flight engineer, had been standing in the distance talking to a forklift driver.
Scott turned and held on to the flight engineer's panel with his left hand and encircled Linda's waist with his right arm as she held on to him and one of the seats.
The flight engineer was a pint or two ahead of Goldfarb, but still alert enough.
He had no sooner entered when Pitt made a gesture to the flight engineer.
He huddled with the Air Force flight engineer, who knew the C-5 better than anyone on board.
The copilot, who was ex-Air Force, ran his finger down the paper list of things to do, calling them off in a voice neither excited nor bored while the pilot and flight engineer/navigator pushed the buttons, checked the gauges, and otherwise made their aircraft ready for a safe flight.
Lieutenant Hearns had even had to leave Hawk-Papa-Two in the hands of the flight engineer in order to bring Ragnhild along, and she'd never have done that unless she'd wanted the midshipwoman here for a specific purpose.
He may technically be a missile tech, but he's also the best small-craft flight engineer we've got.
He may technically be a missile tech, but he's also the best small craft flight engineer we've got.