A Career in Aeronautical Engineering!

 

Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering deals with the growth and development of different new technologies in the aviation industry, defense systems and space exploration. It addresses several aspects such as designing, development, construction, testing, operation, maintenance of military as well as commercial aircrafts, spacecrafts and also missiles and satellites. The main area of focus is on design, growth and development that extend to satellite and space research as well. A career in Aeronautical Engineering is among the prosperous and challenging one owing to its huge scope of expansion and development.

Aerospace engineering consists of designing and manufacturing of high technologies. If you are in search for a prosperous and jam-packed career and want to fly high, then Aeronautical Engineering is definitely the career for you! It is that branch of engineering, which requires dealing with the science of aerodynamics. This particular field of education is quickly seen to grow in India, over the time.

Eligibility & Courses

Eligibility Criteria and Courses: In India courses or programs in Aeronautical Engineering are offered at two levels, undergraduate and postgraduate. The minimum eligibility criterion needed for a B.Tech or B.E. program is to pass 10+2 with Science subjects (Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics) or any other equivalent examination having a minimum of 60% of marks in aggregate. Further, it is also compulsory to qualify at the Joint Entrance Examinations (J.E.E.) held by the IITs. However, there are several institutes that conduct their own individual tests for admitting students to this aeronautical engineering. For this program, there are many state level and national level entrance tests as well. The JEE score is however, considered as the qualifying marks by most institutes in India for admission to aeronautical engineering. The institute named Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE) enables the working class in the public or private sector or the diploma holders to get a Bachelor’s engineering degree via distance education. One needs to appear for the Associate membership examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE) held by ASI (‘The Aeronautical Society of India’). This degree has been granted as equivalent to any degree in aeronautical engineering. Those having a degree in Physics, electronics, and mathematics stand a good chance in this filed.

Apart from the degree courses, there are diploma programs also in Aeronautical Engineering. For post graduation courses in aeronautical engineering, one must have a graduation degree in aeronautical engineering. The Madras Institute of Technology provides a 3 year Graduate course in Aeronautical Engineering for the B Sc students. M.Tech and Doctoral or PhD programs are also offered by several institutes. The Indian Institute of Science (IIS), in Bangalore offers M Tech and Ph D programs in Aeronautics.

Course Duration: A degree course in Aeronautical Science consists of duration of four year. The degree received at the end of the fourth and final year is recognized by the Ministry of Education, under the Government of India. The diploma programs in aeronautical engineering consist of duration of 2-3 years.

Specializations: The many specializations in the field of aeronautical engineering are:

• Structural design
• Instrumentation and communication
• Navigational guidance and control systems
• Production methods
• Design, development and maintenance
• Managerial posts and teaching posts in the aeronautical institutes
• Particular product like passenger planes, military aircrafts, satellites, helicopters, rockets etc
• Aircraft manufacturing sectors
• Airlines
• Air turbine production plants
• Aerospace environment

Personal Attributes

Aeronautical engineers must possess the following attributes and skills if they want to flourish in this field:

• An eye for details
• Should have mathematical precision
• Must be good at problem-solving
• Must possess computer skills
• Must possess designing skills
• Should have the ability to plan
• Should have good communication skills
• Must be able to work under pressure
• Should have speed while working
• Should be physically fit
• Must have normal color vision

Career Prospects

Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineers work in 1 of the technologically advanced fields of engineering. The main are of concentration is on design and development and growth of the aircrafts to satellite and space research. Numerous jobs are there with various international, national, private and public Airline Services and also aircraft-manufacturing units, which thereby offer a lucrative and prosperous career ahead.

In the initial stages, you need to start working as junior Engineers or engineer trainees. In accordance with the academic background, performance, aptitude, etc, the students are placed in the maintenance or overhaul or support section of the aircrafts, for training. Once the training is complete, the students are then placed as assistant technical officers or assistant aircraft engineers. In case of further promotions, one needs to clear the departmental examinations. The students also have the scope to secure executive or administrative positions and become consultants as well.

A Career in Aeronautical Engineering is indeed promising and aeronautical engineers have immense scope in this industry. They can avail job opportunities in the following sectors:

• Different government airlines such as Air India, Indian Airlines
• Helicopter Corporation of India and the various flying clubs
• Different private airlines such as Kingfisher and Jet Airways
• Aircraft manufacturers such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and the factories
• National Aeronautical Lab (NAL)
• Aeronautical Development Establishment
• Defense Research and Development Laboratories
• Civil Aviation Department etc
• Defense services and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Numerous job opportunities are also available for the aeronautical engineers in the United States of America, UK, France and Germany. A very good percentage of Indians, work as technical professionals and engineers in NASA.

Aeronautical Institutes in India

Academy Of Aerospace and Aviation
Swadesh Bhawan, 2,
Press Complex,
A.B.Road, Indore.(MP)
Phone: 0731-5004485,
5043397, 9826330824

Hindustan College of Engineering
Post Box No. 01,
Old Mahabalipuram Road,
Padur Post,
Kelambakkam-603103(tamil nadu)
Phone: 04114-474262, 474395
Fax: 04114-474385

Hindustan Electronics Academy
61, Cambridge Road, P.B.No.806, Ulsoor, Bangalore 560008(Karnataka)
Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology
40 GST Rd, P.O.Box 1306, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai-600016
Phone: 044-22341389, 22342508,:22349317
Fax: 044-22342170

Bangalore Institute of Aeronautical Engineering and Information Technology
# 5, SRS Complex, NGEF Layout,
80 Feet Road, Nagarabavi,
Bangalore – 560 072 (Karnataka)
Phone & Fax: 080 23216677, 23216678

IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Powai,
Mumbai 400076
Phone: 022-25722545
Fax: 022-25723480

Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University)
Sector -12, Chandigarh- 160012
Phone: 2746074, 2753051
Fax: 0172-2745175

MIT Campus, Anna University,
Chromepet, Chennai 600 044
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone (Dean): (91) 44 22232403 22235046(R)

Nehru College of Aeronautics & Applied Science
451-D, Palakkad main road,
Kuniamuthur, Coimbatore – 641 008 Tamilnadu
Phone: (0422) 2251148, 2252562, 2252402
Fax: 2251147

Indian Institute for Aeronautical Engineering & Information Technology
140/6, Near Warje Chowk, NDA Road,
Warje Malwadi, Pune-411052
Telefax: (020) 25292151
Mobile: 98220 13633 / 98225 98836

School of Aviation Science and Technology
Delhi Flying Club,
New Delhi

Institute of Aviation Technology
1265, Sector 6,
Bahadurgarh — 124507, (Haryana)

Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering
179, Kalidas Road
Dehradun, Uttaranchal, 248001
Phone: 91-135-2742121
Fax: 91-135-2742121

VSM Aerospace
Chelekere Village (Near Kammanahalli),
Bangalore – 560008 (Karnataka)

Indian Aviation Industry: How high is India flying?

Aviation Industry in India

The Indian Aviation Industry is among the world’s fastest growing industries. It has undergone huge transformation following the liberalization of the aviation industry in India. Once owned by the Government, the aviation sector of India is now privately owned with full service airways and affordable carriers. Almost 75% of the domestic aviation sector consists of the private airlines. Earlier viewed as a costly means of transportation, afforded by few, air travel is now cheap and can be availed by many.

Origin of Indian Aviation Sector

The origin of the Indian aviation industry dates back to 1912 when the 1st flight from Karachi to Delhi commenced in collaboration with the Indian State Air Services and Imperial Airways. However, the industry got its real start by JRD Tata through his launch of Tata Airline, in the year 1932. JRD Tata was the 1^st Indian, who got an A-Licence. In the year 1946, Tata Airlines was converted into Air India. Soon after the independence, India was having 9 airline companies providing passenger and cargo services. These airline companies were Tata Airlines, Air service of India, Deccan Airways, Indian National Airways, Ambica Airways, Orient Airways, Bharat Airways and Mistry Airways.

In the first half of 1948, a joint sector company was set up by the Indian Government, in collaboration with the Air India International Ltd and Air India. Through the Air Corporations Act, 1953, 9 airlines were nationalized. Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) was set up for serving the domestic passengers while Air India International (AI) was set up to cater for the international passengers.

In 1990, open-sky policy was adopted by the government whereby air taxi- operators were allowed to operate their flights from any of the airports, decide their fares for cargo and passenger services and the flight schedules. In 1994, the monopoly enjoyed by AI and IA were stopped by the Government and private operators started providing air transport facilities and services. By the year 1995 many airlines have already started providing services, such as NEPC Airlines, East West Airlines, Jet Airways Sahara, Jagsons Airlines, ModiLuft Airlines, Continental Aviation, and Damania Airways.

Aviation Industry in India saw an important change in the year 2003, when budget flying was introduced by Air Deccan through the lowering down of fares to about 17% in comparison to what the other airlines charged. Air Deccan was joined in this process by Go Airways, Spice Jet, and Kingfisher Air. Thus new trends were introduced in the aviation market, by these budget airlines.

Growth of Indian Air Network

Continued growth has been shown by the aviation industry in India, in recent years. In the year 2008, it grew at a CAGR of about 18% that accounts for US$ 5.6. In August 2007, 3.67 million passengers availed the services of domestic airlines, which was about 26% more in comparison to the previous year. It is estimated by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) that the domestic traffic will grow up by almost 25% to 30% by the year 2010 while the international traffic is supposed to go up by 15%.  By 2010, 100 million passengers will avail the air network service in India. In the year 2010, an investment of US$ 9 billion has been incurred by the Aviation Ministry with the aim to modernize the existing airports.

In June, 2010, the market leader was the Jet Airways with a share of 26.5 %. Next in line is Kingfisher Airlines with 21%, and Air India with 16.9%. Hyderabad International Airport ranks among the top 5 as per the annual survey of the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passengers. New airports and terminals are being developed. The economic slowdown witnessed by the aviation sector in 2008 owing to fall in number of passengers coupled with high fuel cost and severe competition from numerous other airlines, assumed a gradual growth from 2009. At present the growth rate of international and domestic travel has exceeded 25%, which is the world’s highest.

Recent Developments in Aviation Sector

• Modernization of the airports
• Growth and development in the MRO segment
• Policy on Airport security
• Policy on the merchant airports
• Augmentation of fleet
• Foreign equity involvement

Future of Indian Aviation Industry

The future aviation industry is estimated to grow at a rate of 25 % till the year 2010. Also, about 100 million passengers are expected to be handled by the airline industry, which is at present 34 million passengers. By the year 2020, about 280 million passengers are expected to be handled by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Problems Faced by Aviation Industry

Indian Airline Industry is beset with many problems, which consist of high price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), scarcity of skilled labor, quick fleet expansion, rise in labor costs and price competition among the players. However, the major issue that poses a challenge for the airline industry in India is infrastructure limitation that requires to be rapidly upgraded.

Several steps have already been taken up. Many airports have been recently privatized. 2 greenfield airports will be set up at Bangalore and Hyderabad. Investments are being made in different department such as pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and air cargo services.

Role of Indian Aviation Industry in GDP

Aviation industry has played a phenomenal role in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India. The GDP of India has increased over 8% following the growth of the Indian economy. With large number of domestic and international airlines operating in India, the country has become one of the most sought after location for commercial and trade activities.

Aviation Industry- Upcoming Challenges

With the growth and development, comes challenges and the aviation sector is no exception. The severe challenges posed against aviation industry are that the industry has to deal with safety concerns, decline in returns, stiff competition, rise in fuel cost, regional connectivity, improper exploitation of trunk routes, soaring input costs and many more.

Employment Opportunities in Indian Aviation Industry

The Indian aviation industry has a good scope for employment opportunities. With a requirement of large number of pilots, cabin crew members and many more, the industry seems to be prosperous one. The increase in airlines has generated great job opportunities, some of which are:

• Commercial pilot
• Air cargo pilot
• Co-pilot
• Cabin crew
• Cabin safety instructor
• Air traffic controller
• In-flight base managers
• In-flight managers
• Cabin services instructor
• Training instructor
• Cabin crew
• Maintenance controllers
• Aircraft maintenance engineering
• Cargo officers
• Quality control manager
• Guest service agent
• Ground staff

Aviation Institutes in India

• Ahemdabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd Aviation School

AAA Hangar, Old Terminal Airport,

Ahmedabad, – 380003, India

• Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess

Best Buliding, ‘A’ Wing, 5th Floor,

S.V. Road, Opposite Andheri Railway Station, Andheri(W)

Mumbai 400058

Tel No.: 022-26706039/40/41

• Indian Aviation Academy

7/8 Rushabh Complex, Opp. Fun Republic Cinema,

Off New Link Road, Oshiwara, Andheri (W)

Mumbai 400053

Tel.: 26740041/26749058

• International Airlines Academy

4-H, Mount Chambers, 758 Mount Road,

Opp. TVS, Chennai-2 (T.N.)

• Air hostess academy

AHA HOUSE

A-5, Kailash Colony, New Delhi -110048

Tel : 011-46566835 – 43, 46566848

• Indian Institute of Aeronautics

Delhi

• Bharat Institute of Aeronautics

Patna

• Indian Institute of Aeronautics Science

Jamshedpur

• Indian Institute of Aeronautical Science

Kolkata

• Avalon Aviation Academy

Aptech House

• Aero-Sports

Opposite Devamatha Church, Shoranur Road

Thrissur – 680022

Phone- 0487-3252449

• American Flyers (India) Pvt.Ltd

37, Virwani Industrial Estate, Western Express Highway,

Gurgaon – 400063

Phone- 022-28748042

• Amritsar Aviation Club

Raja Sansi Airport

Civil Aerodrome, Amritsar

Phone- 0183-2214044

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aviation Industry in India: An Overview

Indian Airports

Air transport in India is looked after by the Department of Civil Aviation, which belongs to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Air transportation is the quickest, modern, and latest mode of transport. Therefore traveling by air has become exceedingly popular.

The Civil Aviation Industry in India dates back to December 1912 with the commencement of the 1^st domestic air route in between Delhi and Karachi under the “Indian State Air Services” along with “Imperial Airways, UK”. Following this 3 years later, Tata Sons Ltd, the 1^st Indian airline started airmail services between Madras and Karachi.

During Independence, there were 9 air transportation companies, some of which were Indian national Airways, Tata Airlines, Deccan Airways, Bharat Airways, Ambica Airways, Mistry airways etc. In the early half of 1948, the Government of India along with Air India (Tata Airline) established the “Air India International Ltd.”, the first flight of which took off on 8th June. 1948, on Mumbai-London air path. Foreign airlines catering to international passengers have been existing for a long period of time, much before Independence. In 1980-81, there were 35 foreign airlines which rose in 1996-97 to 49.

In 1953, Indian Government nationalized all the airline assets existing then and thereby formed the Indian Airline Corporation and Air India International for domestic and international air service respectively.

Indian Aviation Industry observed an important change in the year 2003, with Air Deccan introducing “budget flying” where the fares were lowered significantly.  The list of “Budget airlines include Spice Jet, Kingfisher Air, Go Airways and Paramount Airways. New trends have been set up by these airlines in the aviation industry of India.

Growth of Aviation Industry in India

Indian Aviation Industry includes come of the premier airlines world wide. The latest news from the Aviation Industry of India tells us that many new flights in affordable rates are being launched everyday. Presently India has a large number of international airports more than 90 domestic airports, civilian enclaves, and many aviation schools in India

The “Airport Authority of India” is planning to invest millions of money for the up gradation and developments of airports.

An overview of the Aviation Industry in India shows that in near future the civil aviation industry will continue to maintain an upward trend of progress. The Indian aviation industry has observed a huge change. Today, the emergence of private airlines has made traveling by air open to large number of people and not just the leisure and business travelers. Modern and new airports are being set up.