Is it possible for a mechanical engineer to become a flight engineer?

To answer your questions correctly yes you can be come an aircraft flight engineer. Title 49, United States Code, empowers the Administrator of the FAA to promote safety. Specifically, section 44701(a)(5) states: "The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall promote safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing - regulations and minimum standards...." Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) specifies areas of knowledge and skill that shall be demonstrated by an applicant before issuance of a flight engineer certificate. The standards for airman certificates are published in this practical test standard and contain specific TASKS in which competency shall be demonstrated. The FAA will revise this PTS whenever it is determined that changes are needed in the interest of safety. Adherence to provisions of the regulations and the practical test standard is mandatory for evaluation of flight engineer applicants. For some aircraft types, provisions of FAA Flight Standardization Board Reports (FSB) may specify details as to how 14 CFR and thìs practical test standard apply to certain TASKS, procedures, or knowledge areas. Airmen certification credits applicable to 14 CFR part 121 operators may be permitted in accordance with Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFAR) 58; AC 120-53, Crew Qualification and Pilot Type Rating Requirements for Transport Category Aircraft Operated Under 14 CFR part 121; and FSB reports. FAA-G-8082-9B FLIGHT ENGINEER KNOWLEDGE TEST GUIDE available on the FAA web site free for down load at http:www.faa.gov. KNOWLEDGE TEST ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Prior to taking a flight engineer knowledge test, you must be able to read, speak, and understand the English language; have appropriate documentation to verify that you are 19 years of age; and meet the experience requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) part 63, section 63.37. The proof of age may be satisfied by presenting photo identification, such as driver's license, a government or military identification card, passport, or similar identification. To verify that you meet the experience requirements of 14 CFR part 63, section 63.37, it is necessary to obtain a written statement and signature from one of the following authorized persons: • A qualified flight engineer with the appropriate class rating • A U.S. Armed Forces flight engineer instructor for the same class of airplane • A flight engineer instructor associated with 14 CFR part 121 training program • An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (operations/airworthiness) The endorser must include a statement that they have personally verified that you meet the experience requirements of 14 CFR part 63, section 63.37. They must also identify their position, such as flight engineer certificate number, name of the training facility, and FAA inspector's office identification. The verification of experience requirements is not required if you hold one of the following. • A commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating or an Airline Transport Pilot certificate issued by the FAA. • A foreign unrestricted commercial pilot or Airline Transport Pilot license issued by an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member state. • A passed, failed, or expired original test report for that specific test. You may take an additional class rating knowledge test without further demonstration of eligibility if you possess a flight engineer certificate or an original flight engineer test report.

Seek employment as an engr, and fly private pilot on the side. You don't want to go the airline route, because the pay cut would shock you. As one airline pilot described it, the good parts are decreasing, and the bad parts are increasing.

Yes, but flight engineering is a dying profession. The only airlines that even use them are typically cargo companies that fly older planes. Some airlines don't even hire professional flight engineers anymore... it's sometimes a pilot's first step at the airline.

Yes. You either pay for the training, or the airline pays for it. You don't convert your mechanical engineering degree.