Aeronautical Engineering is a well-known branch of engineering that attracts students with interest in airplanes and their mechanism. The primary job of an Aeronautical Engineer is to devise aircraft and propulsion systems, but with time, the engineer is given many more responsibilities to carry out. Recruitment opportunities are available in defence services and aviation industry.

Engineering in aeronautics taxing because of its vast syllabus which necessitates a lot of thoroughness and hard work. However, completion, of course, is rewarding for any student as it leads to a job with good remunerations. An engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering helps one in getting a job in the aviation industry, defence establishments, and civil aviation department. The average salary of an aeronautical engineer is INR 6 lakhs or more. With experience, the earning grows manifold.

Here’s an overview of Aeronautical Engineering for students who plan to pursue it as a career.

How does one get started?

• To pursue a course in Aeronautical engineering, students must have studied physics and mathematics in school. Courses in aeronautics prepare candidates for jobs in the field of aerospace and aviation.
• Classes in these fields are typically part of an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Aeronautical courses are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate level
• These courses help candidates in becoming air traffic controllers and maintenance technician as they get hands-on experience on aircraft manufacturing, mechanics, and engineering.
• Aeronautical Engineering being a technical skill requires professional with keep observation and strong calculative skills

Here are a few qualities one should possess to be a successful Aeronautical Engineer:

Skillset Required for Aeronautical Engineering

Skillset for Aeronautical Engineering Aspirants
Speed and accuracy – since aircraft have to be serviced in a short time	Manual, technical and mechanical aptitude
Strong sense of responsibility	Alertness and presence of mind
Must have leadership qualities but also be able to work in a team	Normal colour vision
Physical fitness and good height	Strong analytical ability

Aeronautical Engineering Eligibility Criteria

The average cost of an undergraduate program is around Rs 1 Lakh per annum while the average cost of a PG program is around Rs 2 Lakh per annum. Diploma course in aeronautics costs around Rs 60,000-1,00,000 annually. Any candidate who wishes to pursue Aeronautical Engineering must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Aeronautical Engineering is offered in by many engineering colleges in India. Admission criteria for Aeronautical Engineers are JEE Main and JEE Advanced score
• The basic eligibility criteria for aeronautical engineering is minimum 70-75% marks in aggregate in PCM in Class 12
• Diploma holders in aircraft maintenance engineering can acquire degrees on clearing the exams of the Aeronautical Society of India
• For admission to Postgraduate and Doctoral programmes, the candidate must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering
• Many institutions like IITs IISc, Science research institutions accept GATE score as admission to Master’s degree the discipline

Aeronautical Engineering Syllabus

Any Aeronautical Engineering course comprises the following subjects/topics:

Aeronautical Engineering: Course Curriculum
Mathematics	Flight Dynamics
Engineering Physics	Aircraft Structures
Engineering Chemistry	Control Engineering
Computer Programming	Environmental Science and Engineering
Engineering Graphics	Aircraft Structures Laboratory
Computer Practices Laboratory	Communication and Soft Skills- Laboratory Based
Engineering Practices Laboratory	Principles of Management
Physics and Chemistry Laboratory	Finite Element Methods
Transforms and Partial Differential Equations	Vibrations and Elements of Aeroelasticity
Manufacturing Technology	Composite Materials and Structures
Aero Engineering Thermodynamics	Aircraft Materials and Processes
Fluid Mechanics and Machinery	Aero Engine and Airframe
Solid Mechanics	Aircraft Design Project
Elements of Aeronautics	Computer Aided Simulation
Strength of Materials Laboratory	Total Quality Management
Fluid Mechanics and Machinery Laboratory	Avionics
Thermodynamics Laboratory	Computational Fluid Dynamics
CAM and Manufacturing Laboratory	Experimental Stress Analysis
Numerical Methods	Aircraft Design Project
Aerodynamics	Aircraft Systems Laboratory
Aircraft Systems and Instruments	Flight Integration Systems and Control Laboratory
Mechanics of Machines	Wind Tunnel Techniques
Aircraft Structures	Propulsion
Aircraft Structures Laboratory	Aerodynamics Laboratory
CAD and Aircraft Component Drawing

Aeronautical Engineering: Top Job Profiles

Aeronautical Engineers as the name suggest, specialize in the creation and maintenance of aircraft and aircraft related technologies for improved functioning of aviation and defence industry.

Some of the jobs under this specialized branch of engineering are:

Aeronautical Engineers: Aeronautical Engineers are trained to design aircraft. Their main job includes designing aircraft and propulsion systems and studying the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and construction materials.

The job area is divided into various profiles and specialized jobs:

Aeronautical Mechanical Engineers: Aeronautical Mechanical Engineer are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of aircraft engines. They service and overhaul, if need be, the engines and airframes.

Aeronautical Electronic Engineers: Aeronautical electronic engineers are hired for maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment used for navigation, radar and radio communication, etc.

Flight Engineers: Flight engineers are the ones who are responsible for the smooth performance of the aircraft during the flight. Job profile of a fight engineer includes making pre-flight inspections, keep a check on system failure and manage repairs. Report defect and follow up on action taken. They are also responsible for refuelling, at times.

Other responsibilities include routine maintenance work and keeping a record of it, respond to difficulties faced by flight during take-off and landing, and carry out repairs. They are also responsible for maintaining worksheet for all the operations around upkeep, maintenance and repair.

Aeronautical Engineering: Top Recruiters

A qualified Aeronautical Engineer can find jobs in the aviation industry, in government as well as private airlines. Along with the aviation industry, Aeronautical Engineers are hired by defence establishments for building and maintenance of defence aircraft.

Some of the top hirers are listed below:

Top Recruiters
Civil Aviation Department	Aeronautical Development Establishment
Air India	Defence Research and Development Laboratories
Helicopter Corporation of India	Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd (HAL)
National Aeronautical Lab (NAL)	Pawan Hans
Indian Air Force	Private Airlines

Future Growth Prospects

Studying aerospace engineering offers a variety of career options. Potential fields to specialise in comprise thermodynamics, propulsion, aerodynamics, and celestial mechanics. If anyone has a passion for a specific aerospace product, for instance, rockets, missiles, helicopters, or military jets he/she may choose to specialise in that particular product as well.

As per a recent report, it has been stated that the employment of aerospace engineers is expected to grow by 6% from 2016 to 2026. Aircraft are being redesigned to cause a smaller amount of noise pollution and have better fuel efficiency, which will demand more research and development. Aeronautical Engineers are in demand nationally and internationally. They are required in private and public Airline Services as well as aircraft-manufacturing units. At the start, these engineers are hired as graduate engineer trainees or Junior Engineers. Countries like the US, UK, France, and Germany hire Aeronautical Engineers. In NASA, a good number of Indian Aeronautical engineers can also be found.

FAQs related to Aeronautical Engineering

Q. What is the work of an aeronautical engineer?

A. An aeronautical engineer work with aircraft. Their primary job is to design aircraft and propulsion systems but with time, the engineers are given many more responsibilities to carry out. The aeronautical engineers study the mechanisms of aircraft. They work for a career in aircraft, airplanes, jet planes and space shuttles.

Q. In which sector does aeronautical engineers get jobs?

A. The aeronautical engineers get jobs in the defence and aviation industry.

Q. Is aeronautical engineering hard?

A. Aeronautical engineering is one of the complex fields among various engineering degree. However, it has been a popular course pursued by engineering aspirants across the globe. Aeronautical engineering requires expertise in Physics and Mathematics. If you are best at these subjects it would not be much difficult. However, should have a great observation and strong calculative skills.

Q. What is the salary of an aeronautical engineer in India?

A. An aeronautical engineer earns the average salary in India between Rs 5 lakh per annum. The salaries in the government sector are determined as per the pay scale for the particular post.

Q. Is aeronautical engineering good for females?

A. Yes, definitely. If students are good at PCM and have an interest in aircrafts mechanism, they should pursue this course without any hesitation regardless of their gender.

Q. Which university is best for aeronautical engineering?

A. Below are some of the institutes that are best to study in aeronautical engineering:

• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Thiruvananthapuram
• Manipal Institute of Technology
• Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology
• PEC University of Technology
• Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Dehradun

Q. How can I become an aeronautical engineer after 12th?

A. Students who have successfully completed their class 12th examination or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) and aggregate of with a minimum of 70 to 75% in the examination are eligible to apply for the entrance exam for Aeronautical Engineering for BTech course.

Q. Which entrance exam is required for pursuing Aeronautical Engineering?

A. For admission to various institutes candidates are required to qualify JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The basic eligibility criteria for aeronautical engineering is the minimum 70-75% marks in aggregate in PCM in Class 12.

Q. Which Is better aerospace or aeronautical engineering?

A. Both Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering are good branches. To work in the aircraft building industry then aerospace engineering is the correct course. If you want to work in the space industry, then aeronautical engineering is the right branch.

Q. Is Elon Musk an aerospace engineer?

A. Elon Musk is an engineer, industrialist, technology entrepreneur. He studied both economics and physics. Musk founded SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company, of which he is CEO and lead designer.

Q. What are the subjects involved in aeronautical engineering?

A. The core subjects of Aeronautical Engineering are as follows:

• Materials sciences
• Fluid Dynamics
• Structural Analysis
• Propulsion
• Automatic Control and Guidance
• Aircraft Performance and Aircraft Structures