Aeronautical Engineering Courses in India

Aeronautical Engineering is that branch of engineering which is involved with the development of new technology in the field of aviation, space exploration and defence systems. Aeronautical Engineering in India offers an exciting career, especially for flying buffs. Aeronautical Colleges in India thus provide a perfect platform for aspiring Aeronautical Engineers. Aeronautical Engineering specialises in the designing, construction, development, testing, operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecraft's and their components as well as satellites and missiles. It is also known as Aerospace Engineering. Basically there are four major divisions in the Aeronautics side of the Aerospace Industry which include military aircraft, civilian aircraft, aircraft engines, and missile systems. An Aeronautical Engineer develops, designs and tests aircraft, missiles, satellites and other aeronautical systems.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Structural Design
• Navigational Guidance And Control Systems
• Instrumentation And Communication
• Aerodynamics And Fluid Dynamics
• Structural Analysis
• Propulsion
• Aircraft Structures And Materials

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Production Technology
2. Aircraft Systems and Instrumentation
3. Microprocessor and Applications
4. Experimental Stress Analysis

Objectives

• To transform candidates into professional who can meet the challenges of a highly competitive world through intensive training, appropriate guidance, discipline and holistic approach
• To be counted amongst the elite in the field of aviation technology & other allied engineering disciplines through contribution towards development of high quality human resource.
• To develop and sustain dynamic progress in all academic and infrastructure with special stress towards quality of facility.
• To develop quality human resources to cater for the need of aeronautical and allied industries through quality of teaching and guidance.

Basic Requirements

To be an aeronautical engineer one should have a graduate degree (B.E/B.Tech.) or at least a diploma in Aeronautics. The basic eligibility criteria for a B.E. / B.Tech is 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and must have a fairly high percentage of marks in the aggregate. One must also pass the qualifying exam JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) conducted by the IIT's.

There is also the Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE), which enables working people in the private and public sector, or diploma holders to acquire a Bachelor's engineering degree through distance education by studying the syllabus and appearing for the Associate membership examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE) conducted by ASI ('The Aeronautical Society of India'). This degree is equivalent to aeronautical engineering degree. Those with a degree in electronics, mathematics or physics can also find opportunities in this area. Apart from the government based institutes there are number of private engineering colleges in India.

Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India

• IIAE, Dehradun
• IIT, Kharagpur
• Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai
• IIT, Kanpur

Job Perspectives

Jobs are available with the national, international, public and private firms. Candidates can find a very good demand in air turbine production plants or design development programmes for the aviation industry. Aerospace environment is sophisticated with rewarding career opportunities involving leading-edge technology. In India aeronautical engineers are mostly employed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) and the Defence Ministry. One can also look for jobs available with the Civil Aviation Department, National Aeronautical Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Job opportunities for an Aeronautical Engineer in India, lies with various airlines like Air India, Indian Airlines, Helicopter Corporation of India and flying clubs, private airlines and government owned air service and aircraft manufacturers, Defence Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab (NAL), Aeronautical Development Establishment, Civil Aviation Department etc. The Defence services and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also happen to be two major employers. 

A lot of job opportunities for aeronautical engineers are also available in the countries like United States of America, France, UK and Germany. A good percentage of Indians constitute the work force of engineers and technical professionals in NASA, R&D areas in the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Remuneration

Aeronautical Engineering Salary in government organisations is based on an official scale while those in the private sector are paid according to the scales decided by the management of the company. The approximate starting salaries in the government /public sectors such as HAL, NAL are Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 (excluding other allowances). In the private sector, the scales are approximately around Rs. 8,000 to Rs.15,000 per month plus perks. Engineering graduates with management degrees get a starting salary of Rs.10,000 to Rs.40,000 per month plus perks.

Some Job Types

1. Graduate Engineer Trainees
2. Junior Engineers
3. Assistant Aircraft Engineers
4. Assistant Technical Officers
5. Consultants
6. Systems Engineer
7. Thermal Design Engineer
8. Mechanical Design Engineer
9. Aircraft Production Manager
10. Aerospace Designer Checker

Some Job Areas

• Airline Services
• Aircraft-Manufacturing Units
• Defence Research Laboratories
• Civil Aviation Departments
• Software Design
• Education Institutes
• Armed Forces