Aeronautics: All you need to know about joining a field that enables space travel and more

We’ve come a long way since the Wright brothers flew the first plane for the first time.

Back then, it was difficult to acquire the technology for a successful powered aircraft. In contrast to that, our present-day aircraft can travel much faster and spacecraft can even reach other planets!

Today, it is highly possible to pursue an exciting career with longevity as an aeronautical engineer. With advancements in air travel due to technological development over the years, the possibilities for space travel continue to accelerate and it isn’t likely to stop anytime soon.

If you’re keen to explore a career in the aeronautics field, read on to gain some insights and learn more about what to expect once you set foot in the industry.

5 Things You Need To Know About Pursuing A Career In Aeronautics

1. Your Starting Job Titles & Positions

Depending on what job you pick in the aeronautics field, you could start off as an aeronautical engineer or aerospace engineer.

Aeronautical engineers largely work with aircraft and mostly work with the technology, theory and practice of flight within the Earth’s atmosphere. They design aircraft and propulsion systems, as well as study the aircraft’s and construction materials’ aerodynamic performance.

Aerospace engineers are involved in aspects of the design, testing and manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, rotorcraft and rockets. This job isn’t as specialised as that of an aeronautical engineer.

Some other roles you could potentially take on include CAD technician, maintenance engineer, manufacturing systems engineer, design engineer and more.

2. Your Responsibilities & Day To Day Tasks

Beyond just producing the equipment that makes space flight possible, your day-to-day tasks as an aeronautical engineer would be maintenance, conducting tests on prototypes as well as creating safe and efficient machines for pilots and operators.

Apart from that, you’ll work with aerodynamic systems to make adjustments and improvements, to get optimal flight results.

Other responsibilities include coming up with solutions to problems for a variety of missions such as defense, exploration of space and global transportation of people or goods, among others.

These solutions typically show up in the form of aircraft, spacecraft and other vehicles which would be designed by an engineer.

3. Your Career Progression

As an aerospace engineer, you could potentially advance to supervise a team of engineers and technicians or become a technical specialist.

Alternatively, you could go on to become an engineering manager or take on an executive role such as program manager.

4. Expected Salary

An aeronautical engineer’s average annual salary can range anywhere between USD $109,650 to $115,000.

However, do note that at entry-level, it could start at USD $89,700 per year but has the potential to rise to USD $142,391 annually as an experienced worker.

5. University Courses To Launch A Career As An Aeronautical Engineer

The first step towards launching your aeronautical engineering career is choosing the right course in university – so as to ensure that you’re studying relevant topics and picking up the necessary skills to succeed in the working world.

Aeronautical engineering degrees are usually referred to as Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) and Masters in Engineering (MEng).

At the undergraduate level, you’ll study aeronautical engineering for three or four years. After which, your university might allow you to progress directly into a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering, which would take up another year or two.

In order to qualify for an aeronautical engineering course, you’ll be required to be highly competent in physics and mathematics as these are two subjects that are crucial throughout the course.

Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with the skills and expertise to keep passengers comfortable and safe on the many flights that take place every year or maybe get to work on spacecraft and rockets.

Get Closer To Your Dream Career With IDP

If you’ve got your heart set on aeronautics, it’s time to take the next step towards the career of your dreams.

At IDP, we have a team of qualified education counsellors that are happy to help you every step of the way – from assisting you throughout your application process to offering tailored guidance – so that you get closer to your career aspirations.

Book your free counselling session today to get started!