Engineers work as part of a very organized and efficient team who maintain aircraft and ensure a high level of technical precision. For maintenance during turnarounds, they often work at great speed and under immense 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. Engineers are also involved in other non-conventional fields such as air turbine production plants or design development programmes for the aviation industry.

Prospects

An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high-quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs and, increasingly, the environmental impact of air travel. Aeronautical Engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialize in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance.

Employment is available with Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Sahara, Deccan Air, Helicopter Corporation of India and flying clubs, private airlines and government owned air service. Besides airlines, aeronautical engineers get employment in organizations such as Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd, Defense Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab, Aeronautical Development Establishment and Civil Aviation Department, to name a few. With the rise in the number of private air taxis and liberalization of air space, avenues for aeronautical engineers have seen an upward swing.

Engineers in government organizations, such as HAL, NAL are paid official scales while those in the private sector are paid according to the scales decided by the management of the company. Airline professionals get fringe benefits of free travel for self and family also, apart from numerous other perks

The Job

Aircraft engineers in civil aviation normally specialize in aeronautical mechanical or electronic engineering.

1. Mechanical engineers service and overhaul engines and airframes.

2. Aeronautical electronic engineers specialize in the maintenance of instruments, electrical and electronic equipment, navigation, radar and radio communication.

3. Flight engineers make preflight inspections and are responsible for the efficient performance of the aircraft during 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 refueling.

4. Engineers carry out routine maintenance on the ground during aircraft overhauling at airports.

5. They respond to reports from air-crew of any difficulties experienced during flights, repairing and making corrections.

6. They also maintain and overhaul aircraft in hangers and workshops when an aircraft is due for its regular inspection and checks.

7. They complete worksheets for checks made and these are certified themselves if they are licensed to do so, or by a qualified supervisor.

Personality Traits

1.) Strong sense of responsibility

2.) Manual, technical and mechanical aptitude

3.) Ability to work as members of a team

4.) Normal color vision

5.) Physically fit.

Salaries

Salaries in government organizations are 10-12, 000 per month. Whereas private companies pay much more, about 2.5 lacs per annum.

To know about Admission Procedure, Eligibility and Application Deadlines for Aeronautical Engineering, read the Second Part (2) of this article.