Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering is one of the most challenging fields of engineering with a wide scope for growth. This field deals with the development of new technology in the field of aviation, space exploration and defence systems. It specialises in the designing, construction, deve
lopment, testing, operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts aAs Aerospace engineering involves design and manufacture of very high technology systems, the job requires manual, technical as well as mechanical aptitude. Aeronautical engineer's usually work in teams under the supervision of senior engineers, bringing together their skills and technical expertise. Though highly paid, the work is very demanding. An aeronautical engineer needs to be physically fit and fully dedicated to his work. One needs to be alert, have an eye for detail and should have a high level of mathematical precision to be successful.
lopment, testing, operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts aAs Aerospace engineering involves design and manufacture of very high technology systems, the job requires manual, technical as well as mechanical aptitude. Aeronautical engineer's usually work in teams under the supervision of senior engineers, bringing together their skills and technical expertise. Though highly paid, the work is very demanding. An aeronautical engineer needs to be physically fit and fully dedicated to his work. One needs to be alert, have an eye for detail and should have a high level of mathematical precision to be successful.If you have ever harbored dreams of conquering the space in a flying machine or becoming a top-notch pilot, aeronautical engineering may be just your cup of tea. With technological advancement, development in space science studies and man’s unending desire to explore the unknown touching dizzying heights,this branch of engineering studies have become the coveted goal for many young souls. Kalpana Chawla,the girl from Haryana, created ripples with her exploits as an aeronautical engineer for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Recently a boy from U.P. has made the grade by being given an opportunity to pursue a course in aeronautical engineering in NASA.
Job description 
An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high-quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs and, increasingly, the environmental impact of air travel. Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance. The aerospace industry is well established in the UK, and constant expansion in air travel means that there are many roles available.
An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high-quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs and, increasingly, the environmental impact of air travel. Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance. The aerospace industry is well established in the UK, and constant expansion in air travel means that there are many roles available.
Typical work activities
Typical work activities vary according to the role and employer, with most aeronautical engineers specialising in a specific area. Within each specialism, tasks typically involve:
undertaking blue sky research or applied research: blue sky research involves developing and using fundamental physical processes and physics laws in a controlled environment; applied research concerns the application of blue sky research and is undertaken in a design environment, industry or university research centre;
investigating the use of new materials, or improving existing materials used;
applying the principles of science and technology to the creative design of aircraft components and s
upport equipment and researching and developing design specifications;
undertaking systematic manufacturing, involving the assembly and modification of components;
supervising the assembly of airframes and the installation of engines, instruments and other equipment;
participating in flight test programmes to measure take-off distances, rate of climb, stall speeds, manoeuvrability and landing capacities;
resolving issues that arise during the design, development and testing processes;
maintaining aircraft for full operation, involving regular inspections, maintenance and servicing;
measuring and improving the performance of aircraft, components and systems and modifying designs to improve safety features or minimise fuel consumption and pollution;
developing repair procedures, working out and managing schedules for repair and maintenance;
investigating aircraft accidents;
collating information, interpreting data and publishing the results of specific projects in technical report form;
storing paperwork for approved data (drawings, technical instructions, assessments and calculations);
working with teams, suppliers, clients and managers to agree budgets, timescales and specifications;
project managing, including scheduling resources and staff and managing budgets;
communicating technical and regulatory advice to clients, teams, suppliers and other professionals within the aerospace industry and presenting data to groups and individuals
Typical work activities vary according to the role and employer, with most aeronautical engineers specialising in a specific area. Within each specialism, tasks typically involve:
undertaking blue sky research or applied research: blue sky research involves developing and using fundamental physical processes and physics laws in a controlled environment; applied research concerns the application of blue sky research and is undertaken in a design environment, industry or university research centre;
investigating the use of new materials, or improving existing materials used;
applying the principles of science and technology to the creative design of aircraft components and s
upport equipment and researching and developing design specifications;undertaking systematic manufacturing, involving the assembly and modification of components;
supervising the assembly of airframes and the installation of engines, instruments and other equipment;
participating in flight test programmes to measure take-off distances, rate of climb, stall speeds, manoeuvrability and landing capacities;
resolving issues that arise during the design, development and testing processes;
maintaining aircraft for full operation, involving regular inspections, maintenance and servicing;
measuring and improving the performance of aircraft, components and systems and modifying designs to improve safety features or minimise fuel consumption and pollution;
developing repair procedures, working out and managing schedules for repair and maintenance;
investigating aircraft accidents;
collating information, interpreting data and publishing the results of specific projects in technical report form;
storing paperwork for approved data (drawings, technical instructions, assessments and calculations);
working with teams, suppliers, clients and managers to agree budgets, timescales and specifications;
project managing, including scheduling resources and staff and managing budgets;
communicating technical and regulatory advice to clients, teams, suppliers and other professionals within the aerospace industry and presenting data to groups and individuals
The specialisations includes in areas like structural design, navigational guidance and control systems, instrumentation and communication or production methods or it can be in a particular product such as military aircrafts, passenger planes, helicopters, satellites, rockets etc. Engineers may work in areas like design, development, maintenance as well as in the managerial and teaching posts in institutes. They find a very good demand in airlines, aircraft manufacturing units, air turbine production plants or design development programmes for the aviation industry. Aerospace environment is sophisticated with rewarding career opportunities involving leading-edge technology.
Eligibility & Course Area : To be an aeronautical engineer one should have a graduate degree (B.E/B.Tech.) or at least a diploma in Aeronautics. The degree and postgraduate degree courses are offered by the engineering colleges and Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the diploma courses are available at polytechnics
Eligibility & Course Area : To be an aeronautical engineer one should have a graduate degree (B.E/B.Tech.) or at least a diploma in Aeronautics. The degree and postgraduate degree courses are offered by the engineering colleges and Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the diploma courses are available at polytechnics
Job Prospects & Career Options : Aeronautical Engineers work with one of the most technologically advanced branches of engineering. The main thrust in this area is on design and development of aircrafts to space and satellite research.
Remuneration : Engineers in government organisations, are paid official scales while those in the private sector are paid according to the scales decided by the management of the company.
Institutes : Aeronautical Engineering is offered by the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, Mumbai, Kanpur and Kharagpur and also by the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. Click here for more details and their components as well as satellites and missiles.
Benefits: A course in aeronautical engineering imparts multi-faceted training to students in areas like manufacture and development of aircrafts and missiles besides spacecrafts. An aeronautical engineer can also design, test and contribute in the development of advanced technologies in the field of defense and space science.
Scope in India : In India aeronautical engineers are mostly employed by ISRO ( Indian Space Research Organisation) and the Defence Ministry barring some companies engaged in the manufacturing of aircrafts. Nowadays, jobs are also available with the Civil Aviation Department, National Aeronautical Laboratory, Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and some other organizations having interest in aircraft manufacture and allied fields.
Aeronautical engineers can also aspire to enter the payrolls of some of the leading airline companies of India like Air-India , Indian Airlines , Jet Airways, Air Deccan, Kingfisher and others. Those who hold diplomas in aeronautical engineering can work as technicians for supervision, maintenance and installation of machineries for aircrafts.
Scope Abroad : The West, especially the United States of America, France, UK and Germany have shown the way as far as technological advancement and inroads into space is concerned. Therefore, aeronautical engineers from India as well as from all other parts of the world flock to these parts of the world to make a living. A good percentage of Indians constitute the work force of engineers and technical hands in NASA. At the entry level an aeronautical engineer in U.K. would get a starting salary of 20,000 -26,000 pounds; with three to five years experience it becomes 30,000-45,000 pounds and at the top levels it touches a maximum of 55,000 pounds.
