What does an Aeronautical Engineer do?
An Aeronautical Engineer is involved in the designing and manufacture of airplanes. It is a specialist discipline which branches into aircraft and aerospace engineering. An aeronautical, or aerospace, engineer applies methodical and technical principles to examine, design, expand, maintain and analyze the performance of civil and military aircrafts and space vehicles. They also work on the different components that make up these aircraft and systems.
Abilities required to become an Aeronautical Engineer.
The first and foremost criterion for choosing this career is the candidate’s ability i.e. an Engineering mindset with analytical and logical thinking coupled with an Eye for detail and a quest for perfection are needed. A Deep interest in this field is also a must because without commitment and love of the subject the going can get really difficult.
How to become an Aeronautical Engineer
In India and as well as abroad, Aeronautical Engineering is offered at all three levels; Undergraduate, Master’s and Ph.D. The Institutes and Universities offer Aeronautical Engineering in the form of Diploma, B.Tech, B.E, M.Tech and Ph.D . Students after passing class 12th with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry with a minimum of 50% marks in each subject can appear in various entrance examinations conducted to get into course of study. Aeronautical Society of India offers an Associate Membership Examination which the student after clearing can apply for an M.Tech or a Ph.D in any of the Aeronautical Engineering colleges in India. A Membership Certificate is granted which is equivalent to a B.Tech degree.
The course which can be 4 years at the Undergraduate or 2 years at Master’s level, depending on what you prefer, encompasses academics and training of construction and manufacturing of high level technological systems, designing with aero dynamical studies, testing and maintenance of aircrafts and spacecrafts and working with cutting edge technological processes.
Employment Prospects for an Aeronautical Engineer.
The jobs after the completion of the degree are very lucrative and demand effective commitment. Various Space Exploration and Research Companies, Military Equipment Corporates, Govt. Agencies provide money-spinning jobs to students. Pay packages are hefty and can average around to few lakhs even. Before the actual job, these companies provide specific intern training to mold the fresh entrée for working in the required workplace.
Growth prospects are very high and there is no scarcity of rewarding career opportunities in the field as there are less numbers of specialized Aeronautical Engineers in the country. One can grow intellectually, experience a wide range of experimental technologies, play with cutting edge mechanics, and have an insight into the world of next-gen knowledge. If you desire all this and have what it takes , than Aeronautical Engineering is for you.
Some good institutes offering courses in Aeronautical Engineering.
- Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad
- IIT, Mumbai
- IIT, Kanpur
- IIT, Chennai
- Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
- Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Dehradun
- Academy of Aerospace & Aviation, Indore
- IIT, Kharagpur
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
- University of Glasgow, UK
- California Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
