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The global economy benefits from the aviation engineering sector. Both graduates and experienced candidates can find work in this field. There is a lot of demand for aviation engineers and this field can be a great career-building opportunity for new graduates. Aviation engineering can be an important means of bringing numerous nations, continents, and civilizations together. Hence there is a lot of scope for aviation engineers.
What is aviation engineering?
Aviation engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with planning for aerodromes, designing airports, and developing airspace.
The development of public policy, rules, and aviation laws relevant to airspace, airlines, airports, aerodromes, and the execution of treaty-based air services agreements are also a part of aviation engineering.
It is different from aerospace engineering, which mostly deals with the creation of airplanes and spacecraft.
Types of aviation engineering
There are several different aviation sectors, but three serve as the backbone of the sector as a whole. They are as given below:
Commercial aviation
Money or financial resources are a part of commercial aviation. The export and import of goods is the primary function of this industry. Cargoes are used for import and export in commercial aviation. These cargoes are used to pack and transport items through aircraft.
You must complete all the modules and ensure the passengers’ safety and security in order to become a successful commercial pilot. All airlines, including Emirates, Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air China, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and many more, are involved in commercial aviation. The commercial aviation field has a booming demand for commercial pilots and you can choose this career option after completing your aviation engineering course
General aviation
General aviation is the branch of aviation in which neither commercial airlines nor the armed forces run any scheduled airlines. The PPL (Private Pilot License) is required for general aviation, and the safety requirements aren’t quite as strict as those for commercial pilots. General aviation refers to any flying conducted by an individual without the need of pilots or rented aircraft. General aviation engineering is mostly used for personal purposes.
General aviation flight is done for the following purposes:
- Evacuations for medical emergencies.
- The delivery of medical supplies or humanitarian help.
- Aeronautical law enforcement.
- Combating forest blazes.
- Crops are sprayed for agricultural purposes.
- Flights for fun or business.
Air Force or military aviation
Military aviation is related to the armed forces. An army aviation unit is a piece of equipment connected to a country’s armed forces, frequently referred to as the air corps. These units are established by a nation’s dedicated air force team and normally consist of helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft.
The following are a few examples of military aircraft operations:
- Aerial warfare
- Transporting goods through aircraft(Especially in emergencies like natural disasters)
- Observational missions (intel gathering)
- Educating military personnel, including pilots
Difference between aeronautical and aviation engineering
Aviation is the science of flying or using aircraft, whereas aeronautics is the study of the science, design, and construction of flying machines.
Aviation engineering focuses on using an aircraft, as well as activities related to mechanical flight and the aircraft business, while aeronautics is concerned with how the aircraft is built. This is the main difference between aeronautical and aviation engineering.
Top 10 aviation engineering colleges
Name of the college | Course | Location | Rank |
California Institute of Technology | Aerospace engineering | California, US | No. 1 in the world |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Aerospace engineering | Massachusetts, US | No. 2 in the world |
Georgia Institute of Technology | Aerospace engineering | Georgia, US | No. 3 in the world |
University of Michigan Ann-Arbor | Aerospace engineering | Michigan, US | No. 4 in the world |
Stanford University | Aerospace engineering | California, US | No. 5 in the world |
the University of Maryland-College Park | Aerospace engineering | Maryland, US | No. 6 in the world |
Purdue University | Aerospace engineering | Indiana, US | No. 7 in the world |
Beihang University | Aerospace engineering | Beijing, China | No. 8 in the worldNo. 1 in Asia |
Delft University of Technology | Aerospace engineering | Delft, Netherlands | No. 9 in the world |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Aerospace engineering | Illinois, US | No. 10 in the world |
The course curriculum for aerospace and aviation engineering is the same but it might differ with which colleges you apply for.
Scope of aviation engineering
Many aviation engineers work for NASA, and nations like the US, UK, France, and Germany also employ aviation engineers.
Aviation engineers need to be meticulous and skilled at fixing problems. They should be proficient in computers, have strong design skills, and be able to communicate clearly. They must be adept at functioning under pressure and possess strong planning abilities. A potential candidate for aviation engineering should be physically fit because they may need to work extremely speedy manner, especially when checking and maintaining aircraft during turnarounds.
Eligibility criteria and admission process for aviation engineering
- Candidates must have passed high school and need to submit their high school certificate. If you are applying for a master’s degree then you need to submit transcripts of previously attended schools and colleges.
- Candidate should have a qualifying score in the entrance exams like GRE.
- Candidates must have a qualifying score in TOEFL, IELTS, etc as proof of their English language proficiency.
- Candidates have to submit a letter of recommendation as well as a personal essay with the college application.
- Candidates are also interviewed by the universities during the admission process.
- The admission process might differ according to which university you are applying for.
Key takeaways
- The aviation industry is expanding quickly, which broadens its potential job market. The aviation engineering job profile offers excellent opportunities and a large number of employment options.
- You need to maintain qualifying grades to get accepted into the college of your choice. the top aviation engineering colleges demand a certain standard when it comes to their applicants.
- An aviation engineering course is the ideal career option for someone who wants a promising and rewarding career in the aviation engineering field.
I hope this blog has helped you with all your queries about aviation engineering admissions and scope. For more information on everything, you need to know about aviation engineering- admission, courses, and scope click here.
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FAQs
Q1. What does an aviation systems engineer do?
Ans- An aviation engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, and maintenance of aircraft. Work on the mechanical components of the aircraft, airspace navigation systems, wing or body materials, and other facets of aviation are all the tasks that an aviation systems engineer handles.
Q2. Can an aviation engineer become a pilot?
Ans-Yes, an aviation engineer who has completed his 10+2 WITH Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects with a score of at least 50% is qualified to become a pilot. He/she must also pass the Class 1 Medical exam performed by aero medics who have been approved by the DGCA.
Q3. Which are the best aviation engineering colleges in India?
Ans- Top aviation engineering colleges in India are as given below
- MIT Manipal – Manipal Institute of Technology.
- DSCE Bangalore – Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering.
- IIST Thiruvananthapuram – Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.
- Sathyabama University – Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology.
- Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore.