Avenues in Aeronautical Engineering
Aeronautical engineers design, develop and maintain aircrafts to ensure high level of technical
precision and safe operations. They work in close coordination with aircraft maintenance engineers
and inflight and maintenance teams.
Aircraft engineers in civil aviation specialise in mechanical or electronic branch of aeronautical
engineering.
Aeronautical mechanical engineers service and overhaul engines and airframes.
Aeronautical electronic engineers specialise in the maintenance of instruments, electrical and
electronic equipment, navigation, radar and radio communication.
Flight engineers make pre-flight inspections and are responsible for the efficient performance of
the aircraft during the flight. They diagnose and deal with any system failures, manage repairs,
report any defects to maintenance and later check that they have been dealt with. They may also
be responsible for refuelling.
Engineers carry out routine maintenance on the ground during aircraft overhauling at airports
They respond to reports from air crew of any difficulties experienced during flights, and carry out
repairs and corrections.
They also do maintenance and overhaul of aircraft in hangers and workshops when an aircraft is
due for its regular inspection and checks.
They complete maintenance worksheets and certify these if they are licensed to do so, or get the
certification from a qualified supervisor.Aircraft engineers in civil aviation normally specialise in
aeronautical mechanical or electronic engineering.
Skills required
Strong sense of responsibility
Ability to work speedily with accuracy - since aircrafts have to be serviced in a short time
Normal colour vision
Manual, technical and mechanical aptitude
Ability to work as members of a team
Physical fitness & good head for heights
Employment Opportunities
Airlines
Corporations
Flying clubs
Private airlines
Government owned air services
Aircraft manufacturers
Defence Research and Development Organisations
Aeronautical Laboratories
Aeronautical Development Establishments
Department of Civil Aviation
Defence services
Earnings
2.34 Lakhs to 49.42 Lakhs per annum
(Salary data sourced from PayScale.com)
Earnings Details
Engineers in government organisations, such as HAL, NAL are paid official scales while
those in the private sector are paid according to the scales decided by the management of
the company. Airline professionals get fringe benefits of free travel for self and family as well.
Recruiting Companies
Aeronautical Development Establishment
Air India
Civil Aviation Department
Defence Research and Development Laboratories
Helicopter Corporation of India
Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd (HAL)
National Aeronautical Lab (NAL)
Pawan Hans
Indian Air Force
How do I get there?
Path 1:
Std XII
Stream: Sc(PCM)
Entrance Test
IITJEE*
Graduation
BE/ BTech
Aeronautical Engg
Exam &Post Grad
GATE****>
MTech
Goal
Aeronautical Engineer
Path 2:
Std XII
Stream:Sc PCM50%
Professional...
AeroEngg(AeSI)***
Examination
AeSI Mem Exam***
Goal
Aeronautical Engineer
Path 3:
Std XII
Stream:Sc PCM
Course
AME**
Exam
AeSI MemExam***
Goal
Aeronautical Engineer
Path 4:
Std XII
Stream:Sc PCM
Diploma
Engineering
Exam
AeSI Mem Exam***
Goal
Aeronautical Engineer
*Aeronautical Engineers specialize as aeronautical mechanical or aeronautical electronics
engineers. Selection to the IIT aeronautical/ Aerospace engineering is through JEE Main and JEE
Advanced. Minimum aggregate 75%( 65% for SC/ST) in physics, chemistry & Maths in Class XII.
**Diploma holders in aircraft maintenance engineering can acquire degrees on clearing the exams of
the Aeronautical Society of India.
***Associate Membership of the Aeronautical Society of India:
Sections A and B of this examination has been recognised by the Ministry of Education, on par with
a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from an Indian university. The Engineering Council
of London grants direct entry in part two of their examination for those who have passed sections A
& B..Aeronautical engineering can be studied with this society through correspondence.
Educational qualification for membership examination:
The minimum educational qualification for appearing in this exam is a pass in Class X. Students who
have passed the studentship or who have cleared the 10+2 stage with Physics and Maths are
eligible for part A. Candidates who have passed a Diploma in Engineering are also eligible for the
test. Airmen of the Indian Airforce and Air technical personnel can appear in the section A of the
exam directly.
Section B examination can be taken by the candidates who have completed Section A of the Society
or hold a degree in engineering. There are 8 specialist streams in section 'B'-
Aerodynamics/Structural mechanics/ Propulsion/ Avionics/ Production/Maintenance/Navigation and
Operation/ Communication.
Class XII students with Physics and Maths may enroll for a 3-year course in an Aeronautical
Engineering equivalent course for the AMAeSI (Associate Membership of Aeronautical Society of
India). Institutes conducting the course make arrangements for practical training.
****Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) For admission to postgraduate and
Doctoral programmes in Institutions under MHRD such as IITs IISc, Science research institutions a
National Level Entrance Test GATE is conducted by IITs/ IISc. Selected candidates get a
scholarship/Assistantship for postgraduate and PhD in Engineering/Technology/ Science/
Architecture.
Eligibility :3 yr science degree or 4 year engineering degree, technical diplomas of 3 yrs, architecture
5yr, Integrated 5 year degree courses, Postgrduation in Maths/ Sc/ Stats./ Computer Applications.
Where to study?
Prestigious Institutes in India
Delhi Institute of Aeronautical Sciences
Department of Aerospace Engineering-Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
PEC University of Technology
School of Aeronautics
Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Dehradun
Institute of Aviation Technology
Aeronautical Engineering
What is it about?
Aeronautical engineering is the specialized branch of engineering for the aviation industry. This
discipline involves studying, construction,designing,and science of the airplanes and other space
crafts. Aeronautics branch uses the
science of propulsion and aerodynamics. To become a successful engineer in Aeronautics, you
must be alert, must have an eye for detail, and possess a high level of mathematical precision for
success. This is so because the development and manufacturing of a flight vehicle is extremely
complex and demands a careful balance and compromise between abilities, available
technology,design, and costs involved. This branch mainly deals with the business, technology, and
other aspects related to aircraft. A significant part in aeronautics engineering is a branch of physical
science called aerodynamics, which deals with motion of air and the way in which it interacts with
objects in motion, like an aircraft.
Main Subjects
The Main Subjects of Aeronautical Engineering are as follows:
Propulsion
Automatic Control and Guidance
Aircraft Structures & Aircraft Performance
Fluid Dynamics
Materials sciences
Structural Analysis
Aerodynamics
Dynamics and Control
Aerospace Propulsion
Further Study options
Those interested in further studies, can go for a M. Tech or MS Specialization.
Job Profiles
The job profiles which are normally given to the aeronautical engineers are as follows:
Aircraft Production Manager
Thermal Design Engineer
Aerospace Design Checker
Aircraft Engineer
Placement Opportunities
Civil Aviation Department
DRDO
ISRO
HAL
NAL
Air India
Jet Airways
Spicejet
Job, Scope, Salary and Placement Opportunities for Bachelor of Technology
[B.Tech] (Aeronautical Engineering):
Employment Areas for Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Aeronautical Engineering) :
Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Colleges & Universities
Aircraft Design Companies
Wind Turbine Blade Design Companies
Job Types for Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] [Aeronautical Engineering] :
Professor
Analysis Engineer
Instructor/Assistant Instructor
Design Engineer
Corporate Trainer cum Design Engineer
System Safety Management Engineer
Aerospace Chief Engineer
Lecturer & Professor
Scope for Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Aeronautical Engineering):
Aeronautical engineering is one of the most exciting career prospects in India. This course offers not
only exciting job prospects in top companies but at the same time, one gets this lifetime thrill of
becoming a pilot and roaming in space.
Most of these passed out aeronautical engineers are hired by ISRO.
Other aircraft manufacturers and prestigious departments like:
o National Aeronautical Laboratory
o Civil Aviation Department
o Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
o Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO)
These engineers can also opt for green pastures in foreign countries.
Jobs are available at the national, international, public and private Airline Services as
well as aircraft manufacturing units.
Aeronautical engineers often work for large aviation companies like Airbus, Boeing, and
even NASA.
Aerospace engineers are in great need of aircraft industrialized divisions, airline
industries, and air turbine production plants or designs.
They can also seek employment in different areas such as design, development, and
maintenance as well as in the managerial and teaching jobs in institutes.
This is an incredibly well-paid job but it is also very demanding. In future, the demand for
aerospace engineers will rise because of their requirement in various sectors. There are lots
of job opportunities available in India as well as in foreign countries.
