Training & Qualifications of an Aeronautical Engineer
Aerospace engineers who work with aircraft are known as aeronautical engineers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that these engineers design new aviation technologies. Some may specialize in areas such as military planes, aircraft guidance systems or propulsion. Postsecondary education is a must for aspiring aerospace engineers.
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Requirements
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A bachelor’s degree will qualify an aeronautical engineer for entry-level employment. However, some research positions may require a graduate degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prospective aeronautical engineers should seek out programs approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology, or ABET. A bachelor’s degree program can be finished in four to five years. While in high school, aspiring aerospace engineers are encouraged to complete courses in trigonometry, calculus and physics.
Training
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In an undergraduate program in aerospace engineering, such as the one offered at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, students in the aeronautics track take courses in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and aircraft design. Classroom- and laboratory-based courses are included in the curriculum. Aerospace engineering majors can also participate in a cooperative education program, where they earn college credit while gaining work experience. At the graduate level, aeronautics majors can choose from specialty tracks in areas such as air traffic management, safety systems and aviation operations. Graduate students in aeronautics typically submit a thesis or research project in addition to meeting coursework requirements.
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Qualifications
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that in addition to earning a college degree, prospective engineers in any specialty must be detail-oriented, analytical and inquisitive. It is important for engineers to be comfortable working in teams and to have solid oral and written communication skills. An aerospace engineer who works in the defense industry may need to obtain a security clearance as a condition of employment. U.S. citizenship is usually required for government jobs.
Potential
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Employment for aerospace engineers is expected to grow by 10 percent through the year 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The development of new aircraft designs and technologies will spur the need for aerospace engineers. There will also be a need for new aerospace engineers to replace currently employed aerospace engineers who retire or move to other occupations. As of May 2010, aerospace engineers earned an annual mean wage of $99,000, according to the bureau’s Occupational Employment Statistics survey.
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References
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