Zoom into aerospace
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Aerospace engineering as a career avenue has touched a chord in the youth, and the employment potential is rich.
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Aircraft engineers at work
YOUTH THRONGED the just concluded international aerospace exposition "Aero-India 2005" at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore. The turnout symbolised not just the remarkable interest in flying machines, but a zeal to learn the nuances and the state-of-the-art feats of aerospace firms from across the globe. Subconsciously, the youth were preparing themselves for the next big thing to strike Planet "Education" — Aerospace Engineering.
Bangalore has always been strong on aviation. The presence of the public sector undertaking, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and several firms attached to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has only fuelled this growth. No wonder, aerospace engineering as a career avenue has touched a chord in the youth. The three organisations that offer this course in Bangalore are bound to feel the momentum of demand.
For starters, courses related to aerospace engineering are offered by the Indian Institute of Science Department of Aerospace Engineering; Hindustan Aviation Academy and VSM Aerospace. Of course, there are several institutes offering this subject of study across the country.
Wonder what you could do with a degree in aerospace engineering? You could be an aeronautical engineer, specialising in maintenance of instruments, electrical and electronic equipment, navigation, radar and radio communication. Or you could become a flight engineer, responsible for pre-flight inspections and the efficient performance of the aircraft during the flight. Flight engineers handle any systems failure and manage repairs besides refuelling.
Career avenues
Career growth will be boosted by factors such as a strong sense of responsibility, team spirit, normal colour vision, good physique and mechanical aptitude. Airlines initially recruit graduate engineer trainees. Based on their performance, academic background and aptitude, these graduates are trained in the aircraft maintenance/overhaul or support section. They are then placed as assistant aircraft engineers/assistant technical officers. For further promotions, they could appear for departmental examinations.
Students with qualifications in aerospace engineering could look for openings in Air India, Indian Airlines, Pawan Hans, Helicopter Corporation of Indian and flying clubs, private airlines and government-owned air services. They could also look out for opportunities in HAL, DRDO, National Aeronautical Laboratories (NAL), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Civil Aviation Department and other places.
With several new civil aviation players such as Air Deccan and Kingfisher Air entering the market, the opportunities are only bound to grow. Besides, organisations such as HAL are looking for offset business from global aviation bigwigs such as Airbus. This would boost the businesses of smaller aerospace companies based in Bangalore and other parts of the country. Employment potential is rich and beyond doubt.
IISc courses
The Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science offers Research and Master of Engineering programmes in aerospace engineering. Considered the oldest and the largest aerospace engineering department in India, the aerospace engineering section offers exciting opportunities to talented students to pursue higher studies.
Students are admitted into two categories of the research programme, including the M.Sc (Engineering) and Ph.D besides the Master of Engineering programme. Students keen on a research degree could apply in up to three departments.
For Ph.D. programmes, the students should have M.E., M.Tech or M.Sc (Engineering) degrees in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/ Chemical/Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Metallurgy or Instrumentation.
Research areas offered by IISc include theoretical and experimental fluid mechanics; applied aerodynamics; hypersonic and high enthalpy flows; computational fluid dynamics; flight mechanics of aircraft and helicopter dynamics; control of aerospace vehicles; orbital mechanics; space robotics; guidance; avionics; and radar and electromagnetic systems. The list is by no means exhaustive.
Eligibility
A second class or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination is the minimum requirement in all the cases. But wherever B.Sc with professional Diploma is prescribed, the candidates should have passed B.Sc in 10+2+3 system in second class with Physics and Mathematics as subjects in the curriculum.
The minimum requirement of second class in the qualifying examination is relaxed to pass class in respect of SC/ST candidates. Those in the final year of their qualifying examinations and awaiting results are also eligible to appear for entrance test and interview.
For admission to the M.E. programmes, the candidates should have B.E. or B.Tech degrees in Aerospace/Chemical/Civil/Electrical/Electronics/ Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science.
Qualifications such as AMAeSI, AMIE, AMIChE, GRAD or IETE with B.Sc are also considered. More information on the courses could be obtained from the Deputy Registrar, Admissions, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012. Ph: (080) 3092210; E-mail:
regr@admin.iisc.ernet.in
Hindustan Aviation Academy
The Hindustan Aviation Academy, attached to the Hindustan Education group of institutions, offers degrees in Aeronautical Engineering (AMAeSI) and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has identified this institution for studies in Light Airframe, Piston Engine and Radio Navigation, all key topics in aerospace engineering.
For Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, a candidate should have passed in 10+2/PUC/Intermediate or equivalent examination with Mathematics and Physics with an aggregate of 50 per cent from any recognised Indian or foreign university/board, which qualifies him/her for admission to degree courses.
An aggregate of 50 per cent marks for Diploma in Engineering/studentship examination of Aeronautical Society of India/AMIE is also considered adequate qualification.
More details on this institution are available at Hindustan Aviation Academy, P.B. No. 3776, Chinnappanahally, Marathahally Post, Bangalore-560 037. Website: www.hindustanacademy.com
VSM Aerospace
VSM Aerospace, along with the Hindustan Aviation Academy, is among the Bangalore-based institutions offering the Aeronautical Engineering programme equivalent to AMAeSI (Associate Membership of the Aeronautical Society of India). Those who have completed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics could enrol for this three-year course.
For more on VSM Aerospace, contact No.103/2, Sri Rama Vidyalaya, Jakkur Layout, Bangalore.
RASHEED KAPPAN
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