Aeronautical engineering involves designing and developing aircraft, and requires a degree in aerospace engineering, math and science courses in high school, and passing two licensing exams. Work experience is also required for licensing, which varies by country.
Aeronautical engineering involves the creation and design of aircraft. As this field is extremely competitive, it is important to plan many years ahead. This means you must focus on science and math in high school before spending a minimum of four years in college. You cannot become an aeronautical engineer without first being licensed and this requires passing two exams. There may also be an exam that can only be taken after a certain amount of work experience in the field, which varies depending on the country you are studying in.
An aeronautical engineer designs and develops aircraft, including commercial airliners, helicopters, military jets, and missiles. Aeronautical engineering is one of two subfields of aerospace engineering. The other is astronomical engineering, which involves spacecraft.
If you are interested in aeronautical engineering, it is best to have an interest in aviation for several years. You’ll have a head start before college if you study math and science in high school. Recommended courses include algebra, physics and calculus, as well as computer science.
The next step is to obtain an aerospace engineering degree. Expect to take courses like advanced math, basic engineering, and aerospace engineering in a bachelor’s degree program. While a bachelor’s degree is usually sufficient to get you started, the most successful candidates often earn an undergraduate degree or specialty certificate in a particular area of aerospace engineering. Some of the specialist areas include navigation systems, instrumentation and communication, and aerodynamics. A master’s degree in one of the above topics usually takes an additional two to three years beyond the bachelor’s degree.
If you want to go into aeronautical engineering, you will need to obtain a license in the region where you work. Typically, a basic engineering exam is the first step on the path to being licensed. This exam is normally completed after graduation. You cannot succeed in the field of aeronautical engineering without this license. This means that you will need work experience as this is a requirement to complete the second and final licensing exam.
In the United States, you need at least four years of work experience. This experience can be gained through internships or working in an entry-level engineering position. However, there doesn’t appear to be a similar requirement in the UK. After passing the final principles of engineering exam practice, you will be a fully licensed aeronautical engineer.
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