The field of aircraft engineering is an area within engineering that focuses on aircraft design and maintenance. The term aircraft includes all types of machines that take flight, such as airplanes, gliders, and helicopters. People have been fascinated by the possibility of flight for centuries, and a career in this field can be both challenging and rewarding.
There are two primary areas of aircraft engineering: design and maintenance. The design of an aircraft is based on a set of fixed items and variables. The fixed items often include the weight of the cargo or passengers, the distance the unit can travel, and the height off the ground. The variable items include the power source, design of the physical shell, and the aesthetics of the unit. Design is an essential element of engineering that requires a unique combination of technical skill and creativity.
The maintenance aspect is focused on the skills and procedures required to keep the actual aircraft functioning. It is during the engineering phase of the product design that the aircraft engineering team looks at the different mechanical systems and determines what type of work will need to be completed to keep the system operational. The complexity of the repairs, frequency of the maintenance, and access to the parts all must be considered.
An aircraft engineer, also known as an aircraft maintenance engineer, is a person who is responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of an aircraft. Every country has a different set of regulations that an engineer must follow. Still, the skills required of an aircraft engineer largely remain the same.
All large aircraft homemade planes and ultralight planes do not adhere to the same regulations must have a valid Certificate of Airworthiness . In order to pass inspection, aircraft must be maintained on a regular basis according to manufacturer guidelines; maintenance of this kind is conducted by an aircraft engineer. In addition, these engineers must fix any problems that have been listed by a pilot or crew member. Frequently, audits are conducted by local aviation authority personnel. Any mistakes found during these inspections or audits are the direct responsibility of an aircraft maintenance engineer.
Educational Requirement to be an Aircraft engineer?
Education
Bachelor's degree with mechanical engineer
job skills
critical and analytical thinking,discussion skills,precision,problem solving and creativity
median salary(2017)
$113,030 for aerospace engineers
Career Outlook (2016-2026)
6% for aerospace engineers
All entry-level aircraft engineers must have a bachelor's degree and receive training in mechanical engineering. Students who know early that they would like to pursue a career in engineering should focus their high school studies on chemistry, physics and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry and calculus. The majority of aircraft engineers hold degrees in aerospace engineering or another type of engineering; engineering courses generally cover physical and life science, design and mathematics.
Some colleges and universities offer programs that include an internship or other cooperative work experience program for students in engineering programs. A select few offer 5-year programs that can lead to the acquisition of both bachelor's and master's degrees. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) lists accredited programs on their website. Experienced engineers often complete advanced degrees in engineering or business administration and are able to advance to executive, research or faculty positions.
