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Despite a slowdown in the aviation and aerospace industry induced by the pandemic, research by Verified Market Research, an organisation analysing market trends, projects the global aerospace manufacturing industry is set to touch USD 1.3 trillion by 2030. India’s aviation market, experiencing an all-time high, will contribute to this growth. With the domestic aviation market booming, India’s aerospace industry is bullish and ready to catapult into the global arena.
This phenomenal increase in air passenger traffic is not just due to people travelling across the globe and domestic sectors, but exports and imports too have steered this growth in the right direction. This has driven demand for fuel-efficient, lightweight aircraft, increasing the need for skilled aerospace engineers.
It is in fact the need of the hour for India to produce more skilled aerospace engineers with hands-on training. Aspiring aerospace engineers should begin building a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry during high school. Though there are many universities in the country offering a course in aerospace engineering, only a few provide both essential skills and practical and theoretical knowledge. Choosing a program with an ideal curriculum and learning model is crucial.
A course needs to offer insights into different stages and aspects, such as designing, development, testing, and production of spacecraft and aircraft. It should also teach in detail about satellites, missiles, propulsion systems, etc. The course needs to be designed in a manner that students get an in-depth understanding of aerodynamics, apt material, structure, propulsion technique and theory, and vehicle dynamics, along with adequate software knowledge. Aerospace engineers also need to gain knowledge about aero vehicles used for transportation, exploration, and defence, as well as communications. With specialisation in aerodynamics, control systems, celestial mechanics, thermodynamics, propulsion, and electronics, an engineer would be ready to soar high with innovations. One can also opt for an MTech in aerospace engineering if they wish to specialise, as many universities offer this course in India and abroad.
Along with bright career prospects in terms of salary and exposure, pursuing engineering in aerospace leaves one with multiple career options, such as aerospace designer, aerospace design checker, mechanical design engineer, aircraft production manager, and assistant technical officer. In addition to surging opportunities in India, there are ample career options for an aerospace engineer in other parts of the world as well.
Considered one of the toughest branches of engineering, aerospace engineering requires an aptitude towards spatial understanding, life science, maths, and physics. Strong analytical skills, the ability to approach a problem in multiple ways, and finally finding a solution go a long way. Hands-on ability to work with different aspects of aerospace engineering is something that can be ensured only at a good university, with a practical learning model that combines theory with hands-on experience through industry-sponsored on-campus labs and manufacturing facilities.
By; Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice Chancellor, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha
