FAA Flight Engineer knowledge tests — Turbojet Basic (FEX), Turboprop Basic (FET) and Reciprocating Engine Basic (FEN), plus the added-rating tests for turbojet (FEJ), turboprop (FEP) and reciprocating engine (FER)
The written test for an FAA flight engineer certificate — %MAC and weight-shift problems, fuel and engine computations, turbine and piston powerplants, transport systems and emergency procedures, for every class rating.
About the exam
A flight engineer certificate lets you serve as the third crewmember on an airplane whose type certificate requires one — today a small number of older three-crew transports, mostly freighters and special-mission aircraft. The certificate carries a class rating for the kind of airplane you fly: reciprocating engine powered, turbopropeller powered or turbojet powered. Your first knowledge test is the basic test for your class — Turbojet (FEX), Turboprop (FET) or Reciprocating Engine (FEN). If you already hold a flight engineer certificate, or a passed test for another class, the shorter added-rating test covers the new class: FEJ for turbojet, FEP for turboprop, FER for reciprocating engine. Few people take these tests each year, but they are still listed and given.
The basic tests have 80 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours; the added-rating tests have 50 questions in 2 hours. Every question has three answer choices, and you need 70% to pass. You test on computer at a PSI test center with a photo ID and an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA. The testing matrix lists a minimum testing age of 19, though the certificate itself needs age 21 (63.31). For a basic test you show one of the 14 CFR 63.37 experience routes — the matrix accepts a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating or an ATP (FAA or ICAO), or an FAA Form 8060-7 authorization; added-rating tests need your flight engineer certificate or a passed basic test report. Performance, loading and engine tables come from the FAA-CT-8080-6A flight engineer testing supplement. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months, with exceptions for air carrier and military crewmembers (63.35).
Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the 63.35 knowledge areas, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — percent of MAC, weight shift, fuel burn and endurance, takeoff speeds and thrust settings from tables, Mach and TAS, and table interpolation. Add flashcards for regulations, systems and engine limits, worked case walkthroughs of system failures and emergency procedures, illustrated guides to the flight engineer panel and transport systems, and timed practice tests at the basic-test length — 80 questions in 3 hours — with a score.
How we track your progress
Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:
- Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
- Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
- DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
- ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
- Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.
The exam blueprint
No ACS — 14 CFR 63.35 knowledge areas and the FAA flight engineer learning statement codes; FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised September 25, 2026); FAA-CT-8080-6A Flight Engineer testing supplement — Flight engineer regulations, aerodynamics, meteorology, weight and balance, performance and fuel computations, turbojet, turboprop and reciprocating powerplants, airplane systems and normal and emergency procedures — one bank for FEX, FET, FEN and the FEJ, FEP and FER added-rating tests. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Regulations and Flight Engineer Duties about 12% (est.) of the exam
32 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Theory of Flight and Aerodynamics about 10% (est.) of the exam
26 practice questions in this domain so far
3 Meteorology and the Atmosphere about 8% (est.) of the exam
24 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Weight and Balance and Airplane Loading about 15% (est.) of the exam
39 practice questions in this domain so far
5 Performance and Engine and Fuel Computations about 18% (est.) of the exam
45 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Powerplants: Turbojet, Turboprop and Reciprocating about 12% (est.) of the exam
32 practice questions in this domain so far
7 Airplane Systems about 15% (est.) of the exam
39 practice questions in this domain so far
8 Normal, Abnormal and Emergency Procedures about 10% (est.) of the exam
26 practice questions in this domain so far
What you get when you access this exam
Free with your QuizMe account.
Questions built on the FE knowledge areas
Every question is original and tagged to a 14 CFR 63.35 flight engineer knowledge area — three choices like the real test, with takeoff, cruise and fuel tables, loading schedules and system schematics described in text.
Hints and worked solutions
Reveal the rule, reference or formula behind the question when you're stuck. Every answer has the full rationale, and every calculation — %MAC, weight shift, fuel burn, Mach and TAS — is solved step by step.
Adaptive practice
Questions steer toward your weakest areas, weighted like the real test, and get harder as you get stronger.
Timed practice tests
Full-length tests at the real pace — 80 questions in 3 hours, the basic-test length — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for Part 63 rules, engine limits and system facts, worked case walkthroughs that reason through engine fires, decompressions and electrical failures step by step, and interactive illustrated guides to the flight engineer panel you explore hotspot by hotspot.
Progress in every area
Each area moves from Not started to Exam ready, so you know exactly what to study next.
Test at home or at a center
FEX, FET, FEN, FEJ, FEP and FER are scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA and your authorization documents, then choose a PSI test center and time. Remote testing is not offered for FAA airman knowledge tests.
At a PSI test center
- Book through PSI's FAA scheduling site; the fee is paid to PSI, not the FAA — about $175 at PSI (confirm when you book).
- Bring a current government-issued photo ID that meets FAA identification rules, your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) and your authorization document.
- The center gives you the FAA-CT-8080-6A flight engineer testing supplement with the performance, loading and engine figures.
- You may use an FAA-approved flight computer and calculator under the test center's rules; PSI's testing system also includes an on-screen E6B.
Before you book
- Pick the right test: the basic test for your first class rating — FEX turbojet, FET turboprop, FEN reciprocating engine — or the 50-question added-rating test (FEJ, FEP, FER) if you already hold a flight engineer certificate or a passed basic test.
- For a basic test, have evidence of a 14 CFR 63.37 experience route — the testing matrix lists a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating or an ATP (FAA or ICAO), or an FAA Form 8060-7 authorization. Ask your FSDO or training provider if you qualify another way.
- Air carriers with an approved Part 121 training program may give their own added-rating tests (63.35) — check with your training department first.
- If you retake within 30 days of a failure, bring the failed test report and an endorsement from an instructor who gave you additional training; after 30 days, the failed report alone is enough (63.41).
Exam-day game plan
How to walk in ready — and how to pace 80 questions in 3 hours.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the real length and time — 80 questions in 3 hours, the basic-test length (FEX, FET, FEN) — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions; the added-rating tests (FEJ, FEP, FER) are 50 questions in 2 hours. Figures that the real test takes from the FAA-CT-8080-6A testing supplement are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA figures.
The week before
- Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
- Drill the calculations until they're routine: percent of MAC, weight shift, fuel burn and endurance, and reading takeoff and cruise tables with interpolation.
- Review each system's normal indications and the first steps of its failure procedures — hydraulic, electrical, fuel, pneumatic and pressurization.
- Confirm your PSI appointment, your authorization document, your FTN, your ID and the flight computer and calculator you'll bring.
During the test
- Pace yourself at about 2 minutes 15 seconds a question — table and loading problems take longer, recall questions much less.
- For loading and performance questions, write down the inputs and units before you open the supplement figure.
- Interpolate between table rows rather than rounding to the nearest one — the answer choices are often that close.
- Watch for EXCEPT and NOT — they flip what you're looking for.
- Mark hard questions, answer every one and come back if time allows — there's no penalty for guessing.
Keep your head
- A few nerves sharpen focus. If you freeze, take three slow breaths and reread the question.
- With three choices, ruling out one wrong answer leaves you a coin flip at worst.
- You need 56 of 80 — a few long table problems won't sink you.
After you test
- You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and the learning statement codes of any knowledge areas you missed, and your examiner reviews them before the practical test.
- A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months — complete the flight engineer practical test within that window, unless you qualify for the air carrier or military exceptions in 63.35.
- Next comes the flight engineer practical test in the class of airplane (63.39) — preflight, normal in-flight duties and emergency procedures, usually in a simulator or the airplane through an approved training program.
Official sources and further reading
- 14 CFR Part 63, Subpart B — Flight Engineers ↗Eligibility, class ratings, knowledge and experience requirements (63.31–63.43).
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix ↗Official question count, time, minimum age and the authorization each test requires.
- FAA airman knowledge testing supplements ↗The flight engineer figures book (FAA-CT-8080-6A) provided at the test center.
- Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook (FAA-H-8083-1B) ↗Moments, %MAC, weight shift and large-airplane loading.
Ready to start?
263 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.
QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA or PSI. All questions are original. Details are summarized from FAA sources (testing matrix, 14 CFR Part 63, FAA handbooks); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.