How To Become An Aeronautical Engineer

Are you aspiring to become An Aeronautical Engineer? Learn How To Become An Aeronautical Engineer by the following step by step process.

In less than a century, the rapid progress in the aviation sector has fueled innumerable career opportunities in Aerospace Engineering, including specialized branches like Aeronautical Engineering, its highest paying division. Professionals work in designing, manufacturing, maintaining and improving a variety of aircrafts, including 500-seater passenger jets and advanced fighter aircrafts that cut through the air at 3 times faster than the speed of sound!

So, if you want to become an Aeronautical Engineer, here is what you need to do for letting your dreams take wing:

Work On Getting Consistently High Scores in Math and Science
Getting good grades in math and science will ensure you can opt for these subjects when you graduate from high school.

It is advisable to study optional courses in computer science, electronics and chemistry besides advanced courses in physics, algebra and calculus, since these subjects will provide an added advantage in many sub divisional studies coming under the main head of aeronautical engineering, which you will study in college.

Apply for a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering
Choose only the best accredited aerospace engineering college or technical institute that you can afford for completing a full time Bachelor’s degree program, keeping in mind that the school you select should have their Engineering program accredited by the ABET. This is the authorized body that grants recognition for such programs; it is known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Your course will comprise of PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Math) integrated with detailed study of engineering theory, including design and analysis.

You can conduct a web search for narrowing your choice to the best ABET-accredited graduate study programs to select the college that best meets your requirements.

In graduate college, opt to specialize in any accredited program that will help you utilize this knowledge for the next qualification. Choose from streams like aircraft construction, aircraft electronics and control systems besides instrumentation or propulsion systems, depending on which area of aeronautical engineering you want to work in.

Acquire a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering
An M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering may take 2-3 years to complete but is vital for gaining the necessary advanced knowledge for getting closer to your career goal.

Your specialization course knowledge will be applied during studies for your Masters. You will be required to focus on various methods of applying basic principles of engineering science that you’ve learnt at undergraduate level. This includes problem solving in areas specific to design and production of aircrafts and also their maintenance.

Get Certified - Sit for the Professional Aeronautical Engineer exam
Acquire a license. You can obtain this by sitting for the PAE exam, conducted by the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). This administrative body gives you a certification valid in all 50 US states.

Apply for Jobs at Research, Design, Maintenance Facilities or Technical Institutes
After acquiring higher qualification and successfully clearing the PAE exam, you can apply for further studies or a job in advanced Aircraft research, Design, Manufacturing Facility, Development, Production Methods, Testing or Aeronautical Engineering project management.

You can also choose the academic line, to teach about present and future aircraft designing at a university or technical institute offering accredited aerospace programs as newer generation of airplanes launched currently aim at breaking longstanding flight records, thanks to the accelerated technological changes, even as you read this.