Aeronautical Engineering in General
Aeronautical engineering degrees represent the branch of engineering that deals with the research, design, development, construction, testing, science and technology of aircraft. The field also covers investigation into aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft, including behaviors and related factors such as airfoil, control surfaces, lift and drag. In recent years, aeronautical engineering has become one of two major and overlapping branches of aerospace engineering, with astronautical engineering being the second.
You’ll usually find aeronautical engineering degrees referred to as a BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) and MEng (Masters in Engineering). Aeronautical engineering degrees at the undergraduate level usually last three or four years, but many institutions allow students to progress directly into a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering, extending the course length by an additional year or two.
In such cases, BEng and MEng students take the same courses for the first two or three years, and suitably well-performing students then continue with the BEng for one more year or progress to the more advanced MEng for two years. Some institutions may also allow for this transfer in the first or second year of the BEng degree program while others allow post-secondary candidates to enroll in a MEng straight away. A few institutions also offer associate degree programs, but these usually are reserved for practicing engineering professionals who have already graduated in a related field, and want to change careers into aeronautical engineering.
Teaching is primarily lecture-based, with students also completing coursework and laboratory exercises, attending tutorials and participating in field trips. Group work and group design work may be an element, with independent study expected in all degree programs, and assessment divided between examinations and coursework projects. Depending on your chosen institution’s facilities, you may be able to attend lectures given by experts in the aerospace industry, and even experience rides in a flight simulator.
If you’re fascinated by the history and methodology behind flying machines – from Leonardo Da Vinci’s early conceptual sketches and the Wright brothers’ famous flight of 1903 through to the sophistication and progress of modern jets – aeronautical engineering could be the degree for you.
Aeronautical Engineering Job Description
Career Options
Some popular aeronautical engineering careers include:
| Career Options | Description |
|---|---|
| Aeronautical Engineer | As an aeronautical engineer you’ll apply scientific, technological and mathematical principles to research, design, develop, maintain and test the performance of civil and military aircraft, including weapons, satellites and even space vehicles. You may also work on designing (using computer-aided design (CAD) software) manufacturing and modifying the different components that make up these aircraft and systems. This role involves improving flight safety, fuel efficiency, speed and weight, reducing system costs, using advancing technologies to meet client and customer needs, researching and developing design specifications, addressing the environmental impact of air travel and the materials/systems you will be designing. You’ll need to be able to resolve any issues that arise during the design, development and testing process, including investigating any aircraft accidents and project management. |
| Aeronautical Researcher | An aeronautical researcher is in charge of researching new technologies, materials, systems and equipment in the aeronautical engineering field. You’ll be involved in analyzing and testing discoveries, comparing findings with existing knowledge, challenging discrepancies, writing reports outlining conclusions and ensuring you use specific, accurate techniques for each study. You can specialize in a wide range of engineering disciplines, for example researching a new process for increased propulsion, a lighter material for improved aerodynamic design, a more versatile propeller, a more efficient wing layout or solutions to tackle in-flight icing. Research may take months or even years to complete, culminating in your findings published in industry journals. As a senior aeronautical researcher, you will be in charge of the entire research process including ordering, gathering and verifying supplies, putting together and supervising a team and ensuring adherence to safety, accuracy, timelines and budgets. |
| Aeronautical Designer | An aeronautical designer is usually involved in providing design and detailing expertise for companies who develop aeronautical components, products and systems. You’ll need to ensure technical excellence while maintaining fidelity to any specifications and design requirements put forth by your client. From design, build, experimentation and installation to testing, validation and analysis of the new product, you’ll need to make sure the product complies with the requirements set out by regulatory authorizes on the national and international level. You’ll need to provide drawings and schemes using specialist software (this will vary depending on the company you work for and what you are designing). You’ll then summarize your findings and communicate these to other members of your team and/or to your client. You’ll need a good understanding of assembly methods, manufacturing methods (machining, injection mold, composite) and cost-effective designing and will need to keep up with the latest material technologies and advances in production processes. Products you could be working on include airframe design, engine design and design of airliner cabin comfort systems. |
| Aeronautical Maintenance Technician | As an aeronautical maintenance technician (AMT), you’ll hold a mechanic certificate issued by an accredited organization, such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that confirms you are fully qualified to handle aeronautical maintenance checks. You will be responsible for the complete range of mechanical components and structure of aircraft, including engines, gearboxes, flying controls, landing gear, hydraulics, air conditioning, anti-icing and fuel systems. This job involves examining, testing, diagnosing, replacing and repairing both mechanical and avionic components of an aircraft as necessary, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. Some AMTs may specialize in one section of a particular type of aircraft such as the airframe, engine, hydraulic or electrical system. You may also be responsible for supervising a larger team of AMTs and aircraft maintenance mechanics. |
| Aeronautical Consultant |
An aeronautical consultant, also known as an aviation consultant, uses their years of experience to provide business and technical solutions across a wide range of sectors in the aviation industry. While aeronautical consultancy is itself a niche sector, you may choose to provide consultancy for an even more limited section of clients, or for a wider range of clients from airports and airlines to air traffic managers, manufacturers, maintenance crews, service vendors and even hotels and tourism agencies. You’ll perform analysis of your client’s existing practices, perform asset (aircraft and engine) valuations, perform safety audits, recommend alternatives and/or improvements and help them carry out these improvements in order to maximize profitability, safety and efficiency. Most aeronautical consultants must be registered with an accredited consultancy firm such as the British Association of Aviation Consultants. Consultancy often requires a good knowledge of market trends and business practices. |
Employers and Salaries
The biggest employers of aerospace engineers were the manufacturers of aerospace products and parts. They contained more than a third of all positions and paid average salaries of $96,740 per year or $46.51 per hour. Scientific research and development services were next, with almost 15 percent of the jobs, with averages at $109,740 per year or $52.76 per hour. The highest-paying careers were in management, scientific and technical consulting services, where average pay reached $115,780 per year or $55.66 per hour. Wholesalers of machinery, equipment and supplies were next, with mean wages of $115,290 per year or $55.43 per hour.
Average Salary in Several Popular Companies
| Popular Companies | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| SimuLogix | $96.64 per hour |
| Aerosource, LLC. | $157,621 per year |
| Anchorage Consultants LLC | $150,867 per year |
| Aerosource | $148,059 per year |
| isgf | $65.12 per hour |
| Qualitek Services, Inc. | $57.67 per hour |
| Infoweb Systems, Inc. | $62.21 per hour |
| Inconen Corporation | $60.45 per hour |
| GulfStream Aerospace | $113,365 per year |
Skills and Knowledge after your Graduation:
- Knowledge of aircraft structures and engine systems
- A good understanding of aerodynamics (how aircraft fly) and thermodynamics (the effects of heat on aircraft)
- Knowledge of design techniques and engineering principles
- An understanding of mechanical processes and the metals and alloys used in aircraft
- Knowledge of civil aviation laws and regulations
- The ability to explain complicated ideas in simple language for report writing or to express design plans to aircraft engineers and technicians
- The ability to use computer-aided design (CAD)
Personal Qualities：
You need to be:
- Confident
- Adaptable and creative
- Practical and accurate
- Analytical, and good at problem solving
- Able to work well under pressure
Aeronautical Engineering Studies in China and Other Major Countries
| Factors | China | USA | UK | German |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (in USD/year) | 2.6K-5.7K | 17.5K-49.7K | 21.6k-29.9k | Free |
| Bachelor Degree Duration | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Master Degree Duration | 2-3 | 2-3 | 1 | 2-3 |
| Language Requirements | Chinese/English | English | English | German/English |
| Degree after Graduation | Bachelor | Bachelor | Bachelor | Bachelor |
6 Reasons Why Choose to Study Aeronautical Engineering in China
1.Affordable Tuition and Living Fees in China
2.Safe and Tolerant Social Environment
3.Aeronautical Engineering is a Preponderant Specialty in China
4.More Opportunities in a Developing Country
5.Plentiful English-taught Programs of Aeronautical Discipline
6. China's aerospace industry has advanced at an impressive rate over the past decade, partly due to the increasing participation of its aerospace industry in the global commercial aerospace market and the supply chains of the world's leading aerospace firms.
7. The government is in the process of recommending a number of China's key universities into world-class centers of education and research. Studying in China, you will gain academic success, grow as an individual and go on to bring great honor to your homeland when you return.
5 Recommended Universities in China to Study Aeronautical Engineering
| School Name | Tuition (RMB) | Location (city) | Duration (year) |
Teaching Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beihang University | 30k | Beijing | 4 | English |
| Shenyang Aerospace University | 18k | Shenyang | 4 | English |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University | 18k | Xi’an | 4 | English |
| Beijing Institute of Technology | 30.6k | Beijing | 4 | English |
| Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics | 22.9k | Nanjing | 4 | English |
| School Name | Reasons |
|---|---|
| Beihang University |
|
| Shenyang Aerospace University |
|
| Northwestern Polytechnical University |
|
| Beijing Institute of Technology |
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| Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics |
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