|
Aeronautical engineers deal with the application of scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs.
Aeronautical engineering performs and offer a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialize in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance.
Specialized and Professional roles within the industry include: Chartered Engineer status, with overall managerial responsibility for projects; Incorporated Engineer level, with day-to-day responsibility for problem solving and team supervision; and Engineering Technician level, with responsibility for manufacture and assembly.
Characteristic work activities differ according to role and employer, with most aeronautical engineers specializing in a specific area. Within each specialization, tasks typically involves developing and using fundamental physical processes and physics laws in a controlled environment; applied research concerns the application in a design environment, industry or university research centre.
Aeronautical engineers work is implementing the principles of science and technology to the creative design of single components for whole engines; developing design specifications; designing aircraft components to strict standards; undertaking systematic manufacturing, involving the assembly and modification of components; supervising the assembly of airframes and the installation of engines, instruments and other equipment; for example, when installing extra fuel tanks, deciding where the tanks are to be placed and checking that the support structure of the aircraft is strong enough to carry the extra weight; participating in flight test programmes to measure take-off distances, rate of climb, stall speeds, maneuverability and landing capacities; maintaining aircraft for full operation, involving regular inspections, maintenance and servicing; measuring and improving the performance of aircraft, components and systems; testing, evaluating, modifying and re-testing products; collating a range of information, analyzing and interpreting data and publishing the results of specific projects in technical report form; storing paperwork for approved data (drawings, technical instructions, assessments and calculations); working with teams, suppliers, clients and managers to agree budgets, timescales and specifications; project managing, including scheduling resources and staff and managing budgets; communicating technical and regulatory advice to clients, teams, suppliers and other professionals within the aerospace industry; resolving issues that arise during the design, development and testing processes; working with a range of IT software packages to undertake design, planning and project management work; presenting data to groups and individuals.
|
