Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Aeronautical Engineering
WHAT IS AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING AND WHO IS AN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER?
This is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, testing and production of aircraft and related systems. They use mathematics and other problem-solving skills to change theories into working designs that are then built and operated. A person who is skilled in aeronautical engineering is thus called an aeronautical engineer. Aeronautical engineers design, build and test planes. It is worth mentioning that aeronautical engineering is different from astronautical engineering. Aeronautical engineers deal with planes, helicopters and drones while astronautical engineers deal with satellites and rocket ships. Aerospace engineering is the field of engineering that where one finds both aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
WHERE DO AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS WORK?
Aeronautical engineers work with commercial and private airlines such as Proflight Zambia. They are also employed by airports such as Kenneth Kaunda and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe international airports. Aeronautical engineers may also work for the military especially the air force and with the government. They also work with companies that make planes or helicopters or spare parts for these machines.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
The tasks involved in the work of an aeronautical engineer mostly include line maintenance. This can be defined as any maintenance that is carried out before the flight to ensure that the plane is fit for the flight. Line maintenance includes trouble shooting (looking for the problem) and fixing the problem that has been found with the plane. It also involves replacement of the components from systems such as the engine and propellers when they have been damaged or are not working well. The engineers also perform scheduled maintenance that includes a visual inspection (they look at the planes) to check for any obvious failures. They also carry out minor repairs and changes in the case where a minor fault is found. If a major fault is found, they stop the plane from taking flight until proper repairs have been done.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER?
Aeronautical engineers working at airports typically work in shifts (day or night) and may even work over the weekends. This is because airports are open 24/7 and before every flight, an engineer has to do a pre-flight check of the plane to make sure that the plane is safe for flight.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
The biggest employing sector for aeronautical engineers includes airports such as the international airports found in Lusaka, Southern and Copperbelt provinces. Another major employer of these engineers in Zambia are the private and commercial airlines so that their planes are maintained and serviced appropriately.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
Aeronautical engineering requires that someone be imaginative, analytical and investigative. This is because the component of their work that requires them to design planes and parts of the planes requires those characteristics. An interest in mathematics, physics and technical drawing from high school will make the study of this program even more interesting.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Aeronautical Engineering
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
The courses covered include aerodynamics, aircraft designs, aircraft systems and performance, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics, engineering mathematics, material science, modelling and simulation, composite materials, aircraft structures, control and flight dynamics, propulsion, numerical computing and statistics, aircraft control systems engineering, aviation law, helicopter aerodynamics, vibration and aero-elasticity, human factors in aviation and management studies.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Generally, credits or better in 5 subjects including Mathematics, English and Science (physics and chemistry) on the grade 12 certificate are the minimum entry requirements for both the diploma and degree. The degree program starts with entry into the university school of natural sciences where you make points to later on enter aeronautical engineering. Entry into the school of natural sciences is very competitive and to stand a good chance of selection you need to have scored at least 10 points in 5 subjects at grade 12.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Aeronautical engineering can be advanced by getting a master’s or a PhD. This is either so that one gets into academics by teaching at a university or it may be to expand ones knowledge of plane designs and operations. The education may include opportunities for solving problems and creating great designs to find solutions in the industry.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time
Admitting school: School of Natural Sciences
Intakes: January
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 or +260 212 290817 or +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/
ZAMBIA AIR SERVICES TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: Engineering School
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: (+260) 211 271293
E-mail: admissions@zasti.ac.zm
Website: www.zasti.ac.zm/engineering.php