Degrees Schools Careers Courses Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science / Aeronautical Studies Career Information Aeronautical Studies Career Information Aeronautical studies cover the science of flight. Degree programs in the field range from an associates degree to a Ph.D. Each program level corresponds to unique career opportunities. Those with degrees in aeronautical studies include engineers who design airplanes and other flying craft, the pilots who fly them and the technicians who keep them flight-worthy. View Popular Schools Career Overview for Graduates of Aeronautical Studies Programs An education in aeronautics may qualify school graduates for a variety of job roles according to the level of study completed. Aircraft technicians may hold a 2-year degree and earn certification to work in the field, whereas pilots can easily find employment with a baccalaureate degree. Aeronautical engineers and other aircraft researchers or specialists typically hold a graduate-level degree. Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Aircraft maintenance technicians (also known as AMTs or A&P mechanics) repair and maintain all types of flying vehicles. They work for airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airport fixed base operators (FBOs) and the federal government. Education Requirements All AMTs must pass the certification exam administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov). Certificate programs are typically limited to one aspect of aircraft maintenance, such as airframe technology or powerplant technology, and may not be sufficient preparation for the FAA exam. An Associate of Applied Science curriculum, on the other hand, covers all areas of aircraft maintenance technology--including aviation science, airframe inspection and fuel systems--and prepares students for certification. Job Outlook The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth of 7% for aircraft maintenance technicians from 2008-2018. Most new job openings will be due to the retirement of technicians or movement into related fields by current AMTs. An expected decrease in the number of maintenance and repair trade students enrolling in technical schools may also improve job prospects for future aircraft maintenance technicians (bls.gov). Pilots Pilots are highly trained professionals who fly all types of aircraft, from single-engine airplanes to jumbo jets. Most work for commercial airlines, transporting passengers or cargo, but roughly one-third of commercial pilots work in other fields, including crop-dusting, aircraft testing, firefighting, search-and-rescue and law enforcement, according to the BLS. Education Requirements Most employers seek pilots with at least two years of college education; many require a college degree. In addition, all pilots must be licensed by the FAA. Preferred undergraduate majors for pilots include mathematics, physics and aeronautical engineering. Most pilots receive flight training from the U.S. armed forces and civilian flight schools, including the 600 schools approved by the FAA as of 2009. A number of 4-year colleges also offer flight training as part of a bachelors degree program. There are several levels of flying licenses, ranging from student pilot to airline transport pilot. To obtain most types of flying licenses, pilots must be at least 18 years old, satisfy a written test and pass a physical examination; they must also log at least 250 hours of flying time. However, airline transport pilots must be 23 years old and log at least 1,500 hours of flying time. Job Outlook Jobs for airline and commercial pilots are projected to increase by 12% in the period from 2008-2018. According to the BLS, most of the opportunities will be with low-cost and regional airlines and air cargo carriers. Competition for jobs at major airlines will be stiff, as the number of applicants will exceed the number of openings. Increased demand for passenger and cargo travel will be the main drivers for job growth. During this decade, many active airline pilots will also reach the mandatory retirement age of 65. Aeronautical Engineers Aeronautical engineers design, test and oversee the production of airplanes, helicopters, rockets and other types of airborne craft. Some also develop advanced technologies for aerodynamic vehicles such as submarines, hydrofoils, high-speed trains and wind turbines. Employers include airplane and aerospace manufacturers, national laboratories and government agencies. Education Requirements A bachelors degree is required for nearly all entry-level aeronautical engineering jobs. The curriculum for a Bachelor of Science includes physical and life sciences, basic engineering courses, mathematics and courses on the fundamentals of flight. These lead to advanced courses in topics such as fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, propulsion, fluid dynamics, heat transfer and spacecraft design. Many aeronautical engineers also study mechanical engineering in college, according to the BLS. Job Outlook and Salary Information In 2008, there were 8,700 aeronautical engineers making an average salary of $55,000 in the U.S. The BLS projects a mere 200 new jobs in the field will be added in the span of 2008-2018. Although demand for aeronautical products is expected to grow in that time, the increased use of computer simulations for designing and testing aircraft will reduce the need for more engineers (bls.gov). 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Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:15:08 +0000