What Is an Aeronautical Engineer?

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By W D Adkins
eHow Contributing Writer

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Aeronautical engineering is the branch of aerospace engineering that deals with aircraft, including commercial airliners, military aircraft and helicopters. About half of all aeronautical engineers work in product and parts manufacturing. Other important industries that employ aeronautical engineers are avionics, research and design services, and the federal government. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects average growth in the number of jobs through 2016. Even in the well-paying engineering profession, aeronautical engineers are among the highest earners, with 2006 average salaries of over $87,000.

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Identification

Aeronautical engineers employ the principles of mathematics and science to the task of designing, developing and testing aircraft. They also supervise aircraft manufacturing and develop production methods.

Specialties

Most aeronautical engineers specialize in one aspect of aircraft design and manufacture. These areas include aircraft structure, navigation and control systems, instrumentation and propulsion.

Education

To become an aeronautical engineer, you must earn a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (see link under Resources).

Advancement

Specialization is normally done in graduate school. A master's degree or higher is usually required for advanced research and development jobs, or to move into management.

Benefits

In 2006/7 BLS figures put average starting salaries for aeronautical engineers at $53,400 with a bachelor's degree, $62,400 with a master's and for those with a Ph.D. $73,800.

Licensing

Aeronautical engineers must pass a certification examination to become licensed as professional engineers. Examinations are administered by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (link below).