Aeronautical engineers
Aeronautical engineers design, construct, test, operate and maintain the basic structure of aircrafts and spacecrafts as well as propulsion and control systems. Their work includes making estimations of weight, gravity evaluating stress factor and working on projects of aerodynamics, structural design, flight test evaluation, propulsion problems etc.
Aircraft engineers in civil aviation normally specialize in aeronautical mechanical or electronic engineering. Mechanical engineers service and overhaul engines and airframes. Aeronautical electronic engineers specialize in the maintenance of instruments, electrical and electronic equipment, navigation, radar and radio communication. Flight engineers who accompany the crew on flights and work on the flight deck are responsible for the correct functioning of systems and equipment and liasoning with the ground staff when on ground.
Developments with the newer wide-bodied aircraft has meant the use of computers in flight decks allowing only two person crews of pilot and co-pilot and hence the job of a flight engineer is gradually being phased out. They are rarely needed on modern aircrafts. Flight engineers hence make pre-flight inspections and are responsible for the efficient performance of the aircraft during the flight. They diagnose and deal with any systems failures, manage repairs, report any defects to maintenance and later check that they have been dealt with. They may also be responsible for refuelling.
A team of engineers carry out routine maintenance on the ground during aircraft overhauling at airports and respond to reports from air crew of any difficulties experienced during flights, repairing and making corrections. They also do maintenance and overhaul of aircraft in hangers and workshops when an aircraft is due for its regular inspection and checks.
The work requires use of hand and power tools for replacement of parts, the treatment of corrosion, checking of tyres, brakes, instruments, wheel flaps etc - any parts affecting the safety of the aircraft and also safety equipment. They complete worksheets for checks made and these are certified by themselves if they are licensed to do so, or by a qualified supervisor.
Engineers work as part of a very organized and highly efficient team and , particularly during turnarounds, they work often at great speed and under great pressure. Work is normally carried out under supervision of senior engineers. The main thrust of the engineering profession lies in design, development, maintenance and teaching of aeronautics. It is also suited for other non-conventional fields such as air turbine production plants or design development programmes for the aviation industry.
Work Environment
Aircraft engineers work at airports during turnaround of airplanes, working in all types of weather conditions. On routine overhauls and checks they work indoors in workshops and hangers. Work is normally carried out at the home airport. Senior and experienced aircraft engineers sometimes work overseas, supervising the work of contracted foreign crew who do checks on the aircraft. Inside the aircraft the work is carried out in often cramped places requiring bending in awkward positions. Flight engineers work in the confined spaces of flight decks. They normally wear overalls and safety equipment such as eye protectors, harnesses and ear defenders as necessary.
Personal Characteristics
All aircraft engineers must have a strong sense of responsibility since the safety of the aircraft and passengers depends on them to a large degree. This job requires manual, technical and mechanical aptitude. Since aircrafts have to be serviced in a short time - engineers should be able to work at good speed and with accuracy. Ability to work as members of a team is needed. They must have normal colour vision and a good head for heights. Physical fitness and ability for working under stress would count on his efficiency.
Study/Training
Aeronautical Engineering can be studied after +2 (PCM) offering the mechanical and electronics branches as specialised areas of study. Further specialisation can be pursued at the post graduate level. Diploma holders can acquire degrees as detailed in the following sections.
Courses/Institutions
Following are the details for under graduate/post graduate courses :
Undergraduate engineering courses in Aeronautical Engineering
This course is offered by the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, Mumbai, Kanpur and Kharagpur and also by the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. Admission to the Aeronautical Engineering course in IIT is through the Joint Entrance Test (JEE) conducted in April/May every year along with the entrance for other streams. Punjab Engineering College too conducts an entrance test and minimum requirements for appearing in the entrance is science (physics, chemistry, mathematics) at the 10+2 stage. Aeronautical Engg. BE courses of 4 years are offered by :
Punjab University , Sector 14, Chandigarh 160014. Eligibility – Class XII with 50% marks in English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
University of Madras, Centenary Buildings Chepauk, Triplicane PO, Chennai 600005. Eligibility – Class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Maths or Vocational Stream (Engineering and Technology) or Diploma in Engineering or B.Sc (Applied Science).
Madras Institute of Technology (affiliated to Anna University), Chromepet, Chennai 600044. Course – BTech (3 years) Eligibility – BSc (10+2+3) with one main and two ancillary subjects from Maths, Physics, Chemistry with 70% aggregate in one attempt (50% for SC/ST). Age : Below 22 years (25 years for SC/ST). Selection procedure – Based on merit in the qualifying exam and entrance test conducted by Anna University.
Open seats are filled through the All India Engineering Entrance Examination. (Refer to the Engineering & Technology chapter for more details).
Post graduate courses in Aeronautical Engineering
Some Institutes also offer post-graduate (M.Tech.) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes. The Madras Institute of Technology offers a three year Graduate Programme in Aeronautical Engineering for B.Sc. students, subject to their having passed Maths and Physics at the graduation stage. The Indian Institute of Science (IIS), Bangalore has M.Tech. and Ph.D Programmes in aeronautics.
