By: Natasha ZabalaBy: Natasha Zabala

Nathan StarkeNathan Starke

Alex OgletreeAlex Ogletree

Flight Operations Engineer

These engineers work on projects at These engineers work on projects at Dryden flight research center that Dryden flight research center that involve aircrafts of flight vehicles.involve aircrafts of flight vehicles.

They’re involved in the system tests They’re involved in the system tests and safety tests, and major repair and safety tests, and major repair work on aircrafts. work on aircrafts.

MayMay fly an aircraft as a flight test fly an aircraft as a flight test engineer to help conduct and engineer to help conduct and coordinate research activities.coordinate research activities.

Career Overview

Flight operations engineers are involved in the development and execution of the comprehensive systems tests and safety checks that are carried out after major aircraft modifications. During these tests, flight operations engineers seek to identify potential safety or flight hazards so they can be eliminated or corrected.

Roles and Responsibilities

A flight operations engineer has many A flight operations engineer has many roles that include:roles that include:

Providing the hardware development and the Providing the hardware development and the installation of flight control and avionics systems for installation of flight control and avionics systems for

the systems engineers.the systems engineers. Project engineers work closely with flight Project engineers work closely with flight

operations engineers in the development of all operations engineers in the development of all electrical, mechanical and structural work on the electrical, mechanical and structural work on the Center's aircraft and are the final approval authority Center's aircraft and are the final approval authority for all aircraft modification work at Dryden.for all aircraft modification work at Dryden.

Roles and Responsibilities

Associations

• Flight Operations Engineers collaborate with two associations. ASI and the Aviation Consulting Association.

• ASI offers the communication of astronomers worldwide.

• The Aviation Consulting Association offers publishing opportunities and a weekly newsletter.

Required Skills and Abilities

• A person in this career must be able to keep a schedule, handle large workloads, be able to operate a PC, and must be problem- solver.

• They must have natural communication skills, the ability to take charge, and be well organized.

• They also must be great in science and math, and know how to operate an aircraft for safety checks.

Required Traits

The traits that you must have to be involved in this career are:

• Working well in a team• Think creatively• Meet tight deadlines• Take the lead• Work to help others• Able to multitask

What classes do you need to take?

• In high school it would be wise to take advanced math and science classes.

• You would also benefit from taking engineering for 4 to 5 years.

• In college, continue to take engineering, (electrical and mechanical) math and science.

Volunteering and Internships

• Including going to school, volunteering at certain locations can help you accelerate in engineering. Places like the humane society, wildlife center, and the local courthouse will give you some hands-on experience, and allow you to learn what a job is really like.

• Intern at NASA to experience the career first-hand, and get a chance to talk to people in the field your interested in.

Conclusion• Flight operations engineers are mainly concerned with

the system tests and safety checks for aircrafts. They are also associated with ASI and Aviation Consulting Association, each with their own benefits. Some of the skills, abilities, and traits need for this job are:- Able to operate a PC - Must be well organized- Must work well in a team - Able to multitask

In high school and college, it is very important to take advanced math, science, and engineering classes. Volunteering at various places will increase your work ethic, and taking an internship at NASA will allow you to collaborate with people associated with this profession.

Bibliography• Miller, Susan. "Flight operations engineer." NASA information

summary. 13 Nov. 2003. Dryden Flight Research Center. 3 May 2009 <http://www.noboundaries-stemcareers.com/>.

• Aviation Consulting Association LLC. "Benefits." Aviation Consulting Association. 9 June 2004. Golfstream. 3 May 2009 <http://www.aviationconsultingllc.com/association/benefits.php>.

• Battista, Russel. "academic programs." www.yale.edu/departments/index.html. 22 March. 2009. Office of Public Affairs. 3 May 2009 <http://www.yale.edu/departments/index.html>.

• Canright, Shelley, and Brian Dunbar. "NASA education." Achieving Competence in Computing, Engineering and Space Science. 10 Apr. 2009. NASA. 3 May 2009 <http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ education/programs/descriptions/Achieving_Competence.html>.