Aeronautical Engineering is a very challenging field of engineering and the scope for its growth is immense. It is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of an aircraft or a spacecraft.

Study in this field develops new technologies in aviation, defense systems and spacecrafts. The engineers are involved in the design, construction, testing and maintenance of aircrafts and spacecrafts on land and in air.

A lot of technical, analytical, mechanical and mathematical skill is required to excel in this area. Generally the work is performed in teams of engineers and consultants working together. It is a very high paying job but very demanding at the same time and one needs to be physically endearing and fully dedicated to do the job well. Mathematical detail and a stringent eye for detail must be assets that an Aeronautical Engineer should possess.

To work as an aeronautical engineer one must have at least a bachelors or a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. Aeronautical Engineering and diploma courses are taught at many top level Universities across the country. The specializations in this branch include structural design, instrumentation and communication, navigational guidance and control systems and production among others. The specializations may also be in form of particular type of aircraft such as passenger planes, helicopters, jets, fighter planes or rockets.

Aeronautical Engineers also called rocket scientists find employment in private and public airline companies, space research organizations like NASA, aircraft manufacturing companies and air turbine production plants. They deal with cutting edge technology and always have to stay up to date on current developments. In the USA institutes like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of technology and the University are regarded as the best places for aeronautical engineering education and research.

The subjects with which an aeronautical engineer has to be familiar with range from fluid mechanics, astrodynamics, material sciences, avionics and mathematics especially calculus and differential equations. The branch is regarded as an amalgamation of all branches of engineering and a pinnacle of engineering itself. The professional society for aeronautical engineers is the AAIA, American Institute of Aeronautics and astronautics and Sigma Gamma Tau is the honor society for aeronautical engineers.