Why study Aeronautical Engineering?

Do you feel a certain passion for planes, helicopters and the aeronautical world in general? Are you looking for information about it?

This aeronautical engineering degree is rated as one of the most difficult engineering degrees, since applicants must have a good foundation in physics, mathematics, chemistry and computer science. In addition, it has a fairly high cutoff score, due to the high level of responsibility that professionals in the field carry with them.

What is the Aeronautical Engineering degree?

First you should know that aeronautical engineering is a branch of engineering that studies the processes of research, design, construction, operation, maintenance and management of aircraft, in other words, any vehicle capable of flying. In addition, these professionals are in charge of the management, direction and infrastructure projects for the development of the airline industry. Although it may not seem like it, the field of work is broad and the unemployment rate is practically zero.

One of the aspects that makes this degree attractive is that they also focus on the development of aerospace systems, dealing with the design of launch vehicles and devices that will be sent into outer space, for example, shuttles, rockets or satellites.

The training of an aeronautical engineer is multidisciplinary, with an important theoretical base based on experimental sciences such as physics and mathematics, as well as components of electrical, mechanical, electronic and computer engineering.

You should know that the aeronautical engineering degree was created in Spain by royal decree in 1928 for research purposes, so it has more than 90 years of history. Since then aeronautics has developed greatly and has expanded as a degree throughout almost all of Spain today.

Consequently, it is a degree with a long track record in the country, it is currently well established and is considered a degree with a great future, since the aeronautical industry will have no end in the centuries to come.

But you should know that aeronautical engineering is living through times of change and evolution, mainly because of technology. Now this degree adds a focus based on aerospace studies, in order to meet the demands of exploring outer space.

Professionals in aeronautical engineering are highly valued today, since they have a high degree of responsibility as they are the ones who guarantee the safe transport of hundreds of people or goods through the skies.

Now to be more specific, in the workplace, we will present the most important functions and responsibilities that these aeronautical engineers perform in their work, which are as follows:

• Design, plan, execute and control aeronautical operations.
• Design, manufacture, operate and maintain aerospace vehicles.
• Manage and supervise airport infrastructures and air traffic.
• Carry out technical management and expert assessment activities.
• Analyze the environmental and social impact of technical solutions and airport activities.
• Provide technical advice.

Aeronautical engineering is key to many sectors, for example, the tourism sector, which develops based on the air transport of users, as well as the commercial sector since through air transport important products are moved from one continent to another.

In conclusion, the impact of aeronautical engineering on everyday life is high, this degree has a good present and a great future, that is why it is one of the most important degrees of study for our country, if you want to study it it is a good option.

Profile of the applicant to study Aeronautical Engineering

As we previously indicated, this engineering is one of the most demanding, and with high cutoff grades, so, to position yourself as a successful student and have a future as a professional in this area it is desirable to have some skills and competencies.

Next, we describe the main skills that an aeronautical engineering student should have:

Versatility The aeronautical engineer must be able to adapt and respond to different challenges and contexts, as well as be open to acquiring knowledge from different areas and applying it easily.

**Science skills ** If you are interested in this degree, you must have a good foundation in subjects such as physics and mathematics, since they are the basis of study for this degree. If you consider yourself good at these subjects you can have good opportunities in this area.

Language skills The average aeronautical engineer travels abroad a lot or has frequent contact with them, so, one of his characteristics and skills is speaking two or more languages, since he will need it to communicate daily.

Teamwork The aeronautical engineer must be a person open to teamwork, he faces great challenges that he will not be able to solve alone, so having a good attitude, being accessible to other people and being willing to collaborate is very important.

Ability to make decisions and solve problems The aeronautical engineer is a person who must be able to take logical steps to solve problems, a great deal of responsibility falls on him, so he must supervise and control operations by making timely decisions.

Most frequently asked questions about the Aeronautical Engineering degree

Next, we will answer some of the most common questions you may have as an applicant to study the aeronautical or aerospace engineering degree in Spain.

How long is the degree?

To obtain the aeronautical or aerospace engineering degree at the different universities in Spain you must complete 4 years of study, although if you choose a double degree you must complete 5 years.

What is the cost of studying Aeronautical Engineering?

Setting the cost is at the discretion of each university, although they try to stay not too far above or below the average compared to other universities of their type, whether public or private.

In Spain there are more than 10 universities that offer the aeronautical or aerospace engineering degree, so you will see varied costs. We will tell you that, on average, this degree can cost at a public university between 800 to 2,000 euros per year, while at a private university costs range between 5,000 to 12,000 euros per year. As we can see costs vary, so you must research and evaluate what type of university is within your means.

What cutoff grade do I need to get into Aeronautical Engineering?

The cutoff grade varies according to the requirement established by the public university, since private ones do not ask you for a cutoff grade. The highest to study Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering is 13,160 at the universidad politécnica de Valencia, while the lowest cutoff grade is offered at the universidad de Catalunya which is 10,194.

General subjects in the Aeronautical Engineering degree

In the first years you will see basic science subjects, physics, calculus and chemistry. While the specialized subjects are thermodynamics, mechanics, electricity, fluid mechanics, materials technology, aerodynamic engineering, propulsion, flight control, thermal machines and engines, navigation systems, among others.

Career opportunities for the graduate in Aeronautical Engineering

The graduate with the aeronautical engineering degree has a broad field of work, among which the following stand out:

• Airlines in general, including both public and private companies.
• Aeronautical certification or standardization companies.
• Research and development centers.
• Teaching.
• Independent advisors or consultants.

What is the salary of a person with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering?

The salary of an aeronautical engineer is one of the highest in Spain and in Europe due to the high degree of responsibility it entails.

Salaries vary according to experience, for example, a junior engineer earns around 1,800 euros per month, or about 22,000 euros per year. While an experienced engineer can reach up to 8,000 euros per month or 100,000 euros per year.

How can I know if Aeronautical Engineering is the right degree for me?

As we said before, this degree is one of the most demanding, so you must feel passion for this degree as well as have skills in science and languages. Now is the time for you to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses so you can choose with greater confidence; if everything is aligned then this is the right path you should take.