Ask Flight Engineer Helmi

Interested To Be Flight Engineer

2010-03-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Ibrahim asked;

i'm interested to be a flightlike you.can u tell me what the requiment needed.currently i'm working as avionics technician at malaysia airlines.for your information i'm a AMEL holder from DCA malaysia (instrument & radio)

Dear Ibrahim,

You need to have ability to release an aircraft for flight either A&C, B1 or under company approval. This is done after you have licence plus type rated on certain type or aircraft.

Not all company have full time flight engineer onboard, normal airlines do sometimes carry engineer onboard for a schedule flight to certain destination that does not have engineer coverage to release aircraft back to base. In Malaysia Airlines it is under Line Maintenance so you have to work your way to join the department, but as far as i can remember, only A&C engineer is accepted to fly onboard.

Unfortunately in east asia region, market for narrow to wide body vip aircraft is very limited so chances to be full time flight engineer is very scarce. Try to get licence and type rated for 737NG or Airbus A319/320 and look forward to find oppurtunity in Gulf and Middle East where the business jet is a lot around this area.

AVMP To ATA Chapter

2010-01-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

Bro Z_Mie bertanya;

salam tuan..
saya anggota tentera yang membaikpulih agusta A109LOH. Bagi anggota tentera macam saya yang masih berkhidmat untuk mengambil LWTR, saya perlu membuat work schedule selama 2 tahun sebelum menghadiri exam LTWR..AN 5,saya sudah baca, permasalahan sekarang ini, bagaimana hendak menukarkan dari AVMP ke ATA chapter di work shedule.
saya mencari bahan tersebut tapi gagal untuk menukarkan maintenance manual dari military ke ATA chapter. Kerjasama tuan amat diperlukan, sekian terima kasih.

How to change from AVMP to ATA chapter for a purpose of collecting work schedule for military personnel.

My answer;

I can't find any direct conversion for it, however in this link, it details for every ATA chapter numbers, there is a details explanation for what sub-system it is for. Basically you have to do extra effort to individually select the ATA chapter for every work recorded in your work schedule.

ATC Controller

2010-01-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

Aisy asked

I'm a final year engineering student, will be graduating Aug-2010. the thing is, I am seeking for a job right now, since I'm on a study break, and am thinking of aplying at SPA for the Pembantu kawalan trafik udara post(SPM qualification).

1)What I want to know is, how long would someone need to get from being a Pembantu to Pegawai ATC? 2)Does this job require perfect eyesight? I'm short-sighted.

3) Is it true that ATC are at risk of getting exposed to radiation?

My reply;

Unfortunately i dont have any information regarding ATC Controller so i'm not be able to answer you pertaining this matter.

Different Between De-Icing And Anti-icing

2010-01-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Al Faisal asked

may i know the different between de-icing and anti-icing of an airplane?

My answer;

De-icing is a process where the ice will be removed (normally with de-icing fluid) from the aircraft (especially wings & horizontal stabilizer) and also from that process, a build up of an ice can be prevented or minimised by the characteristic of the de-icing fluid itself. De-icing is critical prior take-off as any layer of ice on top of the wing or horizontal stabilizers can effect the lift and controablilty which is crucial during that phase of flight.

Anti-icing is more for heating system that build-in the airplane itself to prevent ice built-up especially in flight such as on wing leading edges, engine nose cowls, cockpit windows as well as the pitot & static ports either by hot air from engine bleed system or by electric heating element.

Mechanic Or Engineer?

2009-12-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

Fong asked;

if i go miat for easa part 66 program. i passed all the module, what do i call myself? mechanic or aircraft engineer?

My answer;

Once you got your licence, you already an engineer but without type rating. Once you received type rating from any authority or company approval then you are an engineer with type rating. Without type rating you dont have any previleges that you can exercise as an engineer. Probably depend on the organisation that you currently employed, since you cannot exercise any previleges as an engineer, the company might assign you as mechanic. So my advice is, get your type rating ASAP.

B1 or B2?

2009-09-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

From Safuan,

Hi Bro,
i think it's not to late to wish u selamat hari raya..:)
from what have u see after work long time, wht do u think about B2 avionic?..urm, is it true b1 work have lot of work than b2 avionic?..i'm asking this question since i'm interested on b2 avionic..hopefully if it meant to be to get pursue for easa b2, i will go on that..

My reply:

Selamat Hari Raya to you to. B1 more on mechanicals and B2 is more towards avionics. B1 normally handling the components or parts such as actuators, wheels, hydraulic pipelines, structures etc. of the aircraft while B2 mostly on avionics boxes, wiring and so on. Cross responsibility also happen such as after replacement of parts where the replacement done by B1 and the testing done by B2.

To make statement that B1 have more jobs for me is not really correct. The best job is in the field that we really interested in, wether it will have a lot of work for me it should not be a concern. You can do less job but if you dont like it, no point doing it. Whether it is B1 or B2, both held same responsibility which is to make sure aircraft is safe for people to fly. Since you interested on B2, go for it.

Is It Too Late For Me?

2009-09-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

En Ahmad asked:

I'm 26 years old and would like to apply for AME course in Glamorgan Univ in Cardiff.

After doing some research on internet,i found that Glamorgan Univ offer B Sc Aircraft Maintenance Engineering + EASA B1.

I need to hear your opinion and advise regarding this matter.

Do you think its too late for me to be in this field?

I'm looking forward to hear from you as soon as possible.

My reply:

Dear En Ahmad,

There is never to late to learn, as well as turning your life directions from where you are now. The main important thing is whether you sincerely like it or not. When you like what are you doing, age is not a concern anymore.

With regard to the requirement of the authority, in your case i refer it to CAA UK, the min age is 20 for LWTR and 21 for Type rating (Refer BCAR Sect L CAP 468), with regard to age limit as mentioned in Age Discrimination and Aviation Safety Legislation, the age limit is proportional to safety concern.

I encourage you to pursue it and establish as LAME, there is a lot of demand for LAME in a future ahead. Good luck.

B2 Flying Engineer

2009-02-14T12:07:00.000-08:00

Mohamad Nurul Nizamzari Ismail asked,

"Here i have a few question for flight.I'am graduate in Bachelor of Science Industrial Engineering. I got the offer to further my study in EASA B2 Avionics at MIAT..It's possible to be a flight engineer. What your opinion about this program?"

My answer:

My job description is Licensed Aircraft Engineer but i'm flying with the aircraft because of of i'm working in charter company. Unlike an airlines, flying to all airports around the world satisfying the customers, placing LAE onboard is the best solutions to make sure maintenance aspect of an aircraft will be well taken care off.

In airlines environment, in most of destination there will be a station engineer or contracted certifying engineer who will inspect the aircraft during turnaround and issue CRS (Certificate of Release to Service) before aircraft return back to base. There is no flying engineer onboard.

Unless aircraft fly to destination where frequency of flight is very low or there is no contract company available to do the task. In this case, line maintenance engineer will fly with the aircraft to issue the CRS.before return back to base.

But i can assure you that it will not be as adventurous as flying onboard vip business jet.

In current practices, only B1 engineer are allowed to issue a CRS to release the aircraft for flight. B2 is avionic and no previlege as far as i know yet for them to issue it, so chances that B2 engineer will join flying team are very slim, unless if you working with charter company where the avionics LAE were given a company approval to fly with the aircraft.

MIAT is a good place to learn aircraft maintenance & later getting the licence as aircraft maintenance engineer but you have to choose B1 or B2 so that you will know where you will be heading.

Hope this will help.

im really interested in aviation industry

2009-01-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Yusuf Jadid asked..

-what is the minimum qualification to be a LAE?
-MAS still ada buat program recruit Trainee Aircraft Mechanic ke?
-abg kerja dgn which company? (Which company are you working with?)
-when can i start as a trainee aircraft mechanic? i've just finished my spm 2008 thanks.

My reply..
1. To qualify to be LAE you need to comply with the requirement of Airworthiness Notices No 5 of Malaysian DCA however for person who never had an experience on aviation, they need to enrol in a training program to be an LAE.
2. As per MAS career pages, unfortunately no.
3. I'm working with private charter company, Royal Jet based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
4. You can start anytime as early as posible but of course you have to start applying for the position. Chk out some leading airlines career page or ask friends who work with an airline for any opening for the trainee program.

Thank you and all the best.

Aircraft License & Ijazah

2008-12-26T23:50:00.000-08:00

farhan zamlan bertanya

assalamualaikum ..

-jurutera kapalterbang perlukan ijazah atau tidak??
-lesen jurutera kapal terbang yang bagus perlukan ijazah ke??
-Apakah kelebihan seseorang itu dalam bidang ini jika dia berkelulusan ijazah??

Jawapan saya,

- Jurutera pesawat tidak perlukan ijazah, lesen dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Penerbangan selepas calon jurutera lulus ujian ujian tertentu, sila rujuk British Civil Aviation Requirement Section L Issue 13, Appendix 1, pages App 1-1 to 1-2 & M1-1 to M32-2 untuk syllibus peperiksaan jurutera pesawat. Sila rujuk AN No 5 untuk maklumat lanjut.

- Memiliki ijazah bukanlah syarat untuk menjadi jurutera berlesen jadi bagus atau tidak bukan persoalan

- Bagi anda yg berijazah itu akan lebih membezakan anda dgn jurutera2 yg lain, contohnya jika anda memiliki ijazah dlm bidang aerospace, penilaian anda terhadap masaalah pesawat mungkin lebih luas berbanding dgn jurutera tanpa ijazah, begitu juga jika anda memiliki ijazah didlm business admin, peluang anda untuk naik ke bahagian pengurusan akan lebih terbuka lagi. Anda boleh mengambil ijazah selepas selesai program latihan jurutera pesawat, tidak semestinya sebelum.

Fuel Required For An Aircraft

2008-11-30T09:10:00.000-08:00

AMZAR bertanya: salam.....saya berumur 11 tahun. Berapakah jumlah minyak yang diperlukan bagi sebuah kapalterbang?

(Greeting... i'm 11 years old. How much fuel required for an aircraft?)

My Answer,
Amzar, it depend on few things, size of and aircraft and also the distance that it will travel. For instance if we talking about B737NG (-600/700/800), the total fuel will be around 26000 litres to fill the tanks to maximum however if the distance intended for the flight is short, then less fuel will be taken for that particular flight. Less fuel mean less weight so more fuel will be saved instead of being burned unnecessarily.

Just for comparision, maximum fuel for B747-400 is 216000 litres & for Cessna 140 is only 80 litres.

Skills through knowledge

2008-06-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

Krishna asked...

Hi bro,

I am new to this field and I would like to develop domain competencies and skills which basically require thorough knowledge. Could you give some suggestions to know all about Boeing 737, which I am working for a service industry.

Good websites, books..??!!

My reply..

Dear Krishna,

There is 2 website dedicated for B737, you can go through and have deeper understanding of 737 system description in details.

www.737.org.uk
www.sjap.nl

For the books, you can get some info from amazon, like this one Boeing 737-100 to 800 by Robbie Shaw

All the best.

Crap

2008-06-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

ROBERT BROWN said.. brownr66@hotmail.com

I JUST READ YOUR WEB PAGE.
YOUR ENGLISH IS SHIT.

YOUR NO ENGINEER EITHER.

My response is...

Thanks for the critics.. i'll improve myself... even my english is not good as u but i'm sure my attitude, willingness to try something new, manner and conduct is much better than u.. all the best

Where To Start?

2008-05-04T19:37:00.001-07:00

jaflus baharudin ; wrote:

hi..

i had read ur blog in the internet..actually i have a engineering backgroud with 3 years woking exprience in several field of works.
I'm now 26 years old and i have a passion tu have a job in aircraf but i dont know where to start.. it is relevant for me to apply this job?it is need any certificates or specific degree to apply this job.FYI i have a degree in elec engineering..

regards
Jaflus

Helmi said,

To become a Licensed Aircraft Engineer you need to have a Licence from DCA (Dept Of Civil Aviation) which will give you a previleges to perform maintenance on aircraft and certify the legal document of the aircraft that the aircraft is fit or serviceable to fly.

The licence can be obtain my passing the examination conducted by DCA but to start from stratch you need to pass few modules before you get LWTR (Licence Without Type Rating) which is only a basic licence but no previlege yet for you to certify any aircraft.

LAE not only requires technical knowledge just by reading and memorising, it requires hand-on skills as well because in order to do the job or certify the job done by others (mechanic) you need to have the experience. One part of the exam by DCA is oral exam where your practical skills will be challenged.

At age of 26 it is still not too late for you to start, you can enrol UNIKL program to get the licence or apply for apprenticeship with MAS or AirAsia. Even if you start as trainee aircraft mechanic you still can do self study and once you gain the experience you can personally apply for the exam with DCA, get your licence and become an engineer.

Good luck.

PS: Whether you say you can or you cannot, both is right. - Henry Ford

Inquiry About Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

2008-05-01T01:13:00.000-07:00

Khairul Nazmi Zainol Ariffin asked,

I have read your blog and admire your job as aircraft maintenance engineer.
I am 24 yrs old and have BEng in Electrical and Electronic. Is there any tips for me to become aircraft maintenance engineer?
Thanks in advance.

Helmi replied..

Anyone can become AME, what you need to do is find an organistaion that can assist you on getting licensed to maintain the aircraft like a pilot that have a license to fly an aircraft.

MAS training school, AirAsia do recruit trainee AME, MIAT in Sepang & UNIKL do offer course for AME.

Another way is get a job as aircraft mechanic with any aviation company, then do your self study to get the licence, to pass the exam you need hands on as well coz there will be an oral on job that you perform so reading the books only is not good enough..

Hope this will help..

Avionic LAE Blog & Engines Operation

2008-05-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

tengku adnan tengku yahya asked...

First of all let me congratulate to you for such an informative website on flighteng.blog. As an aircraft maintenance trainee, i have learn a lot from your website especially on airframe, engines and basic subjects. I hope you can publish more informations that included in ATA chapters.Here I have a few questions to ask.

1. Is there any blog that conducted by Avionic LAE. Since I'm an avionic student, so i would to know about B737 avionics's work scopes and routine maintenance.

2. Can you please publish more informations regarding CFM56 engines. This includes maintenance, operations and not to forget engine ground procedures.

Helmi's answer..

Thanks for your compliment, i will try my best to keep more post for benefit of those who intrested in aviation especially B737

1. To be honest so far i never come accross any blog by avionic LAE, maybe you can start now and as you develope your knowledge, you can share it the rest of the world as well.

2. I already have few post regarding the engines, will post more later on.

Refueling Part 2

2008-04-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

Arhur asked,

Helmis, This happen in Pucallpa, Peru, during a Boeing 737-200 refueling, as you explain, the aircraft system controls the max. level in the tanks, but there must be a pressure sensor as a safety device (pressure set a little more than 50 psi???) that delivers flow over the wing, when the tank is full…..is that right?? If the refueler delivers fuel at 50 psi, the aircraft system must stop the flow when it sense an excessive pressure in the line or when the tanks are full….the option to deliver excess flow overwing is a risk condition...probably on these old airplanes...or the new generation units have other system to avoid fuel spills in this cases?? Thank you, for your answer.

Flighteng replied,

Aircraft system only control the quantity, there is no control for pressure as far as aircraft system is concern. Take a loook at the refueling panel, there is a warning of maximum pressure allowed during refueling which is 55 psi, this have to be taken care by engineers who doing the refueling plus the bowser operator as well.

From 737-200 to classic and NG, the refueling system is almost the same, only improved instrumentation plus in NG you can set how much fuel in KG or LBs which it will automactically stop when it reach that level.

Fuel Control In Refueling

2008-04-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Arthur asked...

Hi Helmis, could you give us some information about the fuel controls needed in refueling operations. In one opportunity I saw how fuel start droping overwing during a pressure refueling...how it happens??....probably instruments misfunction on the plane…or human error by plane crew???.....does each tank have a safety pressure device that allows fuel exhaust when the tank is overfilled...or when the tank is completelly fueled the systems cut the inlet fuel from the refueler.

Engineer Helmi replied..
Arthur, where did u saw it happen? I just had an experience last week in Al Ain.

The fuel can overflow if automatic cut of function of fuel system failed to activate during refueling. It can be the maximum level sensor or fuel quantity processor failed to send a signal to refueling sitch to close the fuel valve.

Normally if it overflow, it is airplane system, it can be a human error if someone manually override the system and continually fill the tank which rarely happen. The refueler only pump the fuel to aircraft but the aircraft system that will stop the fuel flow when maximum or desired selected fuel quantity obtained.

Best regards