What is the role of the flight engineer regarding maintenance and safety checks?

The role of the flight engineer is critical in ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. By ensuring that systems are functioning properly and identifying potential issues before flight, the flight engineer helps maintain the overall safety of the mission. This proactive approach involves thorough checks of various systems, which can include engines, hydraulics, electrical systems, and more. If any discrepancies or malfunctions are found during these checks, the flight engineer is responsible for reporting them and coordinating with other crew members to address the issues before takeoff.

This responsibility encompasses a broader scope than simply managing fuel load, conducting passenger briefings, or concentrating solely on cockpit instrumentation. While aspects of fuel management and cockpit systems are important, the primary focus of the flight engineer remains on pre-flight maintenance checks and system functionality to ensure a safe flying environment.