Sky is not the limit

Aerospace engineering became the means by which a person could engage in creating the technology and equipment that would enable space travel and exploration.

Aerospace or aeronautical engineering studies the dynamics that help you create aircraft and equipment used for space travel. They design, construct, test and operate spacecraft and make sure they are flight-hardy.

Qualifications

You can enter the field if you have a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical engineering. Selection into this stream of engineering is through the Joint Entrance Test (JEE). This exam is conducted in January and May every year. Optional subjects at the Intermediate level (10+2) should be Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Alternately, the Associate Membership of the Aeronautical Society of India (AMIE) conducts the Associate Membership Examination. It consists of three sections-Studentship, A and B, held in June and December, and can be pursued through correspondence. This diploma is considered to be on par with a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical engineering.

Aptitude

You need to be technically inclined. Working with tools and machines should be your passion. You should bring to the job a meticulous approach that combines accuracy, skill and innovation.

Soft skills

Being a team player is essential and good interpersonal skills are a must. This is because aerospace engineers need to work closely during design and assembly stages.

Remuneration

A trainee in an aircraft manufacturing or research organisation may be paid around Rs. 12,000 per month. However, if you are employed with an airline, the starting remuneration for a fresher will be anything above Rs. 25,000 per month.

Fact File

Specialisation

You can specialise in areas such as computational fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, astrodynamics, structural engineering, thermodynamics, propulsion, guidance and control systems, instrumentation and communication, and production methods. Specialising in products like aircraft (helicopters, commercial transport machines, defence planes), rockets, missiles and spacecraft is another option.

Responsibilities

Systems engineers handle the sub-systems that make up an aircraft. They check for compatibility between systems. They make sure that technical requirements comply with the requirements of the customer, and liaison with manufactures, vendors and repair agencies. Field service engineers take care of maintenance and service and provide necessary information to help aircraft customers use the product efficiently. Design engineers construct the size, shape, structure, and determine the function of components in aircraft. The design is then analysed by analytical engineers to see if it is viable and to provide suggestions to make safer and stronger aircraft.

Manufacturing engineers help in the construction, and assembly of aircraft. They use the fastest and the most cost-effective method to do this. Software engineers develop computer simulation software. They also design and test software to run systems on the aircraft. Aircraft maintenance supervisors and technical specialists are experienced in commercial and military aircraft maintenance. They work at service centres.

Technical specialists inspect, troubleshoot and repair aircraft engines. Flight research engineers analyse data to find out how well a design works in reality and to suggest modifications for future designs. Research scientists discover processes and methods to broaden the horizons of aeronautical engineering. They engage in research or teach at universities and colleges.

Premier institutes that offer courses:

IIT (Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai, Mumbai)

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

MIT Chennai.

Punjab Engineering College.

Top employers

CSIR

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),

Private airlines

Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus.

Airports, consulting firms, NASA, and Research and Development firms, satellite manufacturers and operators also employ aeronautical engineers.

Aeronautics helps in making a safer, cheaper and eco-friendly and airworthy aircraft and spacecraft. It gives you the opportunity to create machines that can revolutionise mankind's air travel and space expeditions.

ARCHANA JAYAKAR

www.careermosaicindia.com

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