Since the Wright Brother’s inaugural flight
at Kitty Hawk in 1903, aircraft have come
a long way. Aeronautical engineers work on
aircraft which operate within the Earth’s
atmosphere, while Astronautical engineers
deal with aircraft which operate outside the
Earth’s atmosphere. The people who design,
develop and air and space craft may be experts
in a variety of disciplines, including aerodynamics,
propulsion, thermodynamics, structures, acoustics,
or guidance and control systems. Since their
designs are responsible for the safety of
both people and equipment, aeronautical and
astronautical engineers must be highly skilled,
and typically need advanced post-college education
and training. Developing new technologies
to compete in the defense and private aviation
industries can be a challenging job. These
engineers must be able to handle design deadlines
and testing failures, while constantly finding
innovative new solutions in a competitive
environment. To perform these jobs well, you
should have a strong sense of curiosity and
willingness to constantly learn the latest
technologies. If your imagination is captivated
whenever you see a plane fly overhead, and
you have an aptitude for problem-solving,
this may be a rewarding career choice!
