Aeronautical Engineering:Introduction
Aeronautical or 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 specializes in the designing, construction, development, testing,
operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts
and their components as well as satellites and missiles.
As 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.
The specializations 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, and 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 programmers for the
aviation industry. Aerospace environment is sophisticated with rewarding career
opportunities involving leading-edge technology.
Eligibility:-
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.
The basic eligibility criteria for a BE / B.Tech is 10+2 or
equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and must have a
fairly high percentage of marks in the aggregate. One must also pass the qualifying exam JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) conducted by the
IIT's.
Selection procedure:
Selection to the graduate courses ( BE / B.Tech ) is based on merit i.e the marks
secured in the final exams of 10+2 and through entrance exams. Entrance to the IIT’s is through ‘JEE’ (Joint Entrance Exam) and
for other institutions through their own separates entrance exams and other
state level and national level exams. Most of the institutes conducting
engineering courses in Aeronautics consider JEE score as the qualifying grade.
There is also the Associate Membership Examination of the
Institute of Engineers (AMIE), which enables working people in the private and
public sector, or diploma holders to acquire a Bachelor's engineering degree
through distance education by studying the syllabus and appearing for the
Associate membership examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE) conducted
by ASI ('The Aeronautical Society of India'). This degree is equivalent to
aeronautical engineering degree. Those with a degree in electronics,
mathematics or physics can also find opportunities in this area.
Some Institutes offer postgraduate (M Tech) and Doctoral (Ph D)
programmes in Aeronautics. The Madras Institute of Technology offers a three
year Graduate Programme in Aeronautical Engineering for B Sc students, subject
to their having passed Maths and Physics at the graduation stage. The Indian
Institute of Science (IIS), Bangalore has M Tech and Ph D program mes in
aeronautics.
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. Jobs are available
with the national, international, public and private Airline Services as well
as aircraft manufacturing units.
Job opportunities for an Aeronautical Engineer in India,
lies with various airlines like Air India, Indian Airlines, Helicopter
Corporation of India and flying clubs, private airlines and government owned
air service and aircraft manufacturers like the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
(HAL) with its factories at Bangalore, Nashik, Koraput, Kanpur etc. Defense
Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab (NAL),
Aeronautical Development Establishment, Civil Aviation Department etc. The Defense services and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) also happen to
be two major employers.
Initially, candidates begin work as graduate engineer trainees or
junior Engineers. Keeping in view their performance, academic background and
aptitude, they are placed for training in the aircraft maintenance/overhaul or
support section. On completion of training they are placed as assistant
aircraft engineers or assistant technical officers. They have to clear
departmental examinations for further promotions. They may advance to
administrative or executive positions or become consultants. Aeronautical engineers
are assisted by aircraft mechanics in maintenance of aircraft frame, engine,
electrical system and other ancillary fittings.
Remuneration:-
Engineers in government organizations are paid official scales
while those in the private sector are paid according to the scales decided by
the management of the company.
The approximate starting salaries in the government /public
sectors such as HAL, NAL are Rs. 8,000 to Rs.15,000 (excluding other
allowances). In the private sector, the scales are decided by the management of
the company and are approximately Rs.8,000 to Rs.25,000 per month plus perks.
Engineering graduates with management degrees get a starting salary of Rs.10,
000 to Rs.40,000 per month plus perks. Entrepreneurs can earn above Rs.20, 000/-
per month. Airline professionals get fringe benefits of free travel for self
and family also, apart from numerous other perks.
