How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer: Career Guide, Courses, Jobs, Scope, Salary

What does an Aeronautical Engineer do? 

Aeronautical Engineering is one of the intriguing fields for aspirants who wish to excel in their career in aircraft, airplanes, jet planes, and space shuttles. Aeronautical engineering is the thorough study of Aeronautics.

Every year 8 to 10 thousand students make their career in Aeronautical Engineering and therefore the numbers are increasing by 4-6% each year. There are about 180 Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India. . There are so many colleges out of all, 67% are private, 8% are government and the rest are public-private colleges.

• They develop, test, design, and assist in the production of commercial and military aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.
• Aeronautical engineers also develop and style extraordinary technologies like supersonic jets, helicopters, space shuttles, satellites, and rockets.
• It is owing to the hard work of the Aeronautical Engineers that we can travel to the moon so easily.
• Aerospace Engineers are working to launch a space shuttle to travel to the moon.

Types of Aeronautical Engineers 

When you come down to explore the supply of employment opportunities for Aeronautical Engineers, you will notice enormous opportunities open for this job profile. It's completely your choice and preference to choose a particular sector of Aeronautical Engineering. Many work profiles because the following:

Thermal Design Engineer 

Thermal engineering could be a specialized sub-discipline of technology that deals with the movement of energies. Some systems that need a thermal engineer include; Boilers, heat pumps, water pumps, engines, and more

Mechanical Design Engineer 

Mechanical design engineers create, develop and test products such as machines, tools, and sensors. They solve problems by applying the principles of physics, chemistry, and mechanics. They also collect data on prototype performance and supervise the manufacturing process of designs.

Aerospace Designer Checker 

Aerospace Design Checker – The duty is to check, design, construct and develop an aircraft. Mechanical design engineers – because the name suggests, their main work is to craft the parts of the aircraft.

Graduate Engineer Trainees 

Graduate engineer trainees have completed their degree in an engineering discipline and are employed by companies as trainees. They perform all assigned tasks and gain practical experience by using CAD software, functioning on projects, and writing reports.

Assistant Aircraft Engineers

Aircraft engineers apply scientific and mathematical concepts to resolve commercial and practical problems. They're forms of aerospace or Aeronautical Engineers who design, test, maintain and supervise the making of aircraft.

Steps to become a Aeronautical Engineer

The various steps to be followed for becoming a Aeronautical Engineer have been listed below for further reference:

Decision Making 

The students shall decide well in time if they wish to take up their career as an Aeronautical Engineer. Being a very demanding job, it requires full attention and focus in work from the professionals. Therefore, the candidates must decide whether or not they are prepared for such a demanding job.

Subject Choices 

As per the eligibility criteria, it is preferable that the students have a strong academic background in subjects such as mathematics,physics, chemistry.

Entrance Exam Preparation

There are entrances conducted for getting a job as an Aeronautical Engineer as it entirely depends upon the educational qualifications of the candidates. However, admissions to any Bachelor or Masters courses in the field of Aeronautics requires the students to get through various entrances in order to get admission to top colleges.

After Qualifying Exam

Those candidates who manage to pass these entrance tests held by the respective colleges are thereafter called for personal interview and counselling sessions to finally get admission to the college that they wish to get in.

How to become an Aeronautical Engineer in India? 

The following steps are some helpful tips on How to become an Aeronautical Engineer.

School-level Preparation 

To become an Aeronautical Engineer you have to do the subsequent steps after the 10th class.

• Choose a science stream ( physics, chemistry, mathematics, and an optional subject). Primary step after the 10th. Both 11&12th should have the science stream.
• Prepare for an entrance exam ( JEE series exams ) for joining IIT, NIT. If you are joining a private institution, maybe some colleges will take an exam before selecting the candidate.
• Prepare for a B.Tech (bachelors) in Aerospace engineering or similar degree and choose your subjects wisely

How to become an Aeronautical Engineer after the 12th? 

Graduation level Preparation

Students must complete 12th PCM with 60%- 70 % and will have to qualify in AIEEE or JEE Main or any state-level common entrance test to get into an engineering college.

The percentage at School 12th PCM may vary from different institutes or colleges.

Students with BiPC 12th might not get admission into an Aeronautical Engineering course.

Postgraduate level 

To join PG courses like M.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering candidates must appear for the GATE entrance exam.Further, for a doctorate in Aeronautical Engineering, you need to do M.Tech and apply for Ph.D. with 1-2 years duration.

Courses to become an Aeronautical Engineer 

Aspirants must have a degree in the following courses to become an Aeronautical Engineer:

B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering 

B.Tech. Aeronautical Engineering is a 4-year undergraduate Aerospace engineering course.Minimum Eligibility for which is (10+2) examination with science subjects such as biology, maths, and chemistry.

Eligibility criteria 

The eligibility criteria B Tech Aeronautical Engineering aspirants are as follows.It must be noted that the eligibility criteria will differ from institute to institute.

• Candidates must have cleared their 10+2 level examinations with physics, chemistry and mathematics subjects.
• The qualifying aggregate score required in 10+2 levels is at least 50% and above.
• Candidates who have a diploma in mechanical or in allied sciences, done after class 10th, are also eligible for admission.
• The student must pass an Entrance Examination like JEE Mains.

M.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering 

M.Tech. Aeronautical Engineering is a postgraduate course in engineering.This course trains the students for development, designing, testing, maintenance and operation of commercial and military aircrafts, spacecrafts, missiles, satellites and their components.

Eligibility criteria 

• For eligibility purposes, a candidate should have a recognized undergraduate degree in B. Tech/ B.E. Aeronautical Engineering,

How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer: Abroad

How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer in the UK 

• Students interested in studying at any of these colleges mentioned below in the UK must focus on eligibility and on the necessary documents to ensure a smooth admission process.
• Candidates must have completed 10+2 with at least 60% marks in any degree.
• Students who are 18 years old and of Indian nationality can apply for the aeronautical engineering courses
• They must sit for the IELTS (6.5-7.0) or TOEFL iBT (90-100) exam and must prove their excellence in English competence.

The below table illustrates some of the top colleges in the UK offering Aeronautical Engineering courses.

How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer in the USA 

• Candidates should get grades of 12 or equivalent and have grades of 12 in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
• The candidates must pass the IELTS or TOEFL English skills test.
• The candidates must obtain at least 80% during their graduation examination in the case of PG programs.
• Candidates must also take the GRE examination.

The below table illustrates some of the top colleges in the USA offering Aeronautical Engineering courses.

How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer in Canada 

• Candidates must have a work experience of at least 2 years.
• Candidates must take an English Proficiency Test.
• Candidates should have at least 2 to 3 letters of recommendation.
• They must appear for the GRE exam.

The following table represents the top colleges providing Aeronautical Engineering courses in Canada.

Benefits of career as an Aeronautical Engineer 

Rather than talking about choosing to be an Aeronautical Engineer, allow us to put it across because of the benefits or advantages of being an Aeronautical Engineer. Besides, respect, and also the knowledge that the aeronautical course offers, there are many other benefits related to the course, and particularly, after you pursue it through the most effective Aeronautical Engineering colleges in India, out of which, Sha-Shib is one among the leading ones. Allow us now to have a look at a number of the advantages that we’ve been touching on for quite a while!

Growing Industry 

Aerospace is an ever-growing industry. Ever since its inception within the 20th century, it's only grown and is projected to expand by multiple folds within the years to come back. Being an Aeronautical Engineer, of course, is part of this ever-blossoming industry.

Employment Opportunities 

Aeronautical engineering is a course with a distinction, and thus, those pursuing this course are people to whom the earth looks up. Aeronautics and aerospace offer an oversized number of employment opportunities, right from working as researchers, designers, to usurping up jobs directly related to the working and maintenance of aircraft. As a matter of fact, despite an oversized number of aeronautical job opportunities available, the country is currently facing a scarcity of Aeronautical Engineers. As an aerospace professional, you will work with organizations like Air India, ISRO, HAL, Indigo, etc. Nevertheless, the opportunities aren’t limited to those organizations.

High-Paying Profession 

Since aerospace could be a challenging and demanding profession, demanding a high level of commitment, exertions, and dedication from the professional, the foremost reputed and also the largest of organizations within the industry offer lucrative salary packages to Aeronautical Engineers. Here, quoting an actual amount isn’t possible, because the salary would vary from employer to employer, and is even largely influenced by the professional’s experience, and expertise achieved over the years.

Travel around the World 

This can be something that fascinates all budding aerospace engineers. As an Aeronautical Engineer, you may have a chance to travel across the world, and not have to acquire it, since your company may sponsor it!

Skills required to become an Aeronautical Engineer

The hiring companies look for the following skills in the students.

Salary of an Aeronautical Engineer in India 

The average salary of an Aeronautical Engineer in India is Rs 38,865 per month. However, with relevant skills and knowledge, it can range up to Rs 12 lakh per month. Here's a listing of companies with the typical pay of their engineers.

Average salary 

Specialization wise

Experience wise