As he took the hand the flight engineer held out to him, Michael called back.
It was the first plane which took off from land to have a flight engineer.
"They already know we are in bad condition," said the flight engineer.
Flight engineers would know how much fuel and its distribution.
While there, he flew as a flight engineer in a C-119.
Control was regained by the flight engineer at 3,000 feet.
The man in the flight engineer's position looked around and caught a needle for his trouble.
Course was set for the last position received, after consulting the flight engineer about the fuel situation.
Talks with the flight engineers' union will reportedly be held today.
"We have just taped the inside," the 43-year-old flight engineer reported to ground control.