It is the branch of engineering behind the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. With the new age commercial and defense aircrafts and spacecrafts constantly replacing the ageing ones, aerospace has become one of the most exciting and challenging industries to work in.
An aeronautical engineer specializes in the design, construction, structure, operation and maintenance of an aircraft (commercial and defense) or spacecraft and its components.
This field requires one to have technical/mechanical/manual aptitude, ability to work in teams, an eye for detail and a high level of mathematical precision in order to meet the demanding needs of the job. Someone who does not have a sharp eye sight and is color blind may not qualify to become an aeronautical engineer even though he may be academically brilliant.
An aeronautical engineer finds his place in the airline industry, piloting manned and unmanned aircrafts, aircraft manufacturing units, structural design, navigation management and control systems, maintenance of aircrafts and spacecrafts and also in teaching of aeronautics.
Most of the aeronautical engineers in India are employed in the public sector like ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) and the Defense ministry. They also find a place in the Civil Aviation Department, National Aeronautical Laboratory, Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Among the private sector the engineers are hired by companies like Airbus, private sector airlines (domestic and international) like Jet airways, Kingfisher etc.
It is a highly paid job but at the same time one has to be able to work under demanding schedule.
Aeronautical engineers can venture into further studies in the fields of:
a) Astronautical engineering.
b) Research and Development in aerospace.
c) Postgraduate and PhD programs in aeronautics.
d) An MBA degree is also a viable option.
The remuneration varies with companies and the nature of the work and is decided by the management of the company.
In a nutshell the public sector companies pay somewhere betweens. Rs. 8,000 – Rs. 10,000 per month plus allowances while the private sector offers between Rs. 8,000 – Rs. 15,000 per month plus perks and allowances to fresh engineering graduates which obviously increases with experience. Aeronautical engineers with a management degree have better remuneration package that varies between Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 40,000 per month with perks and allowance extras. The private sector airline companies also provide benefits like free travel for self and family.
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