Career in Aerospace Engineering?

[F8]

I,m a fresh mechanical engineering graduate with a small industry experience as a part of my college projects. Next I've a deep interest Aerospace Engineering. I was about to go for the masters course in Aerospace when a delay in Visa canceled the plan. I want advice on whether masters degree is necessary to go in to Aerospace given that my background has been mechanical. Or should try in the industry directly and if yes how and which be the ones to start with.

 

[loki3000]

it would be wise to know where are you from. we can assume, it's not USA, since you had visa troubles.

 

[KENAT]

Or did they have visa troubles getting into Cranfield in the UK or perhaps another country - US isn't the only place to get a Masters loki.

I worked in Aerospace with only a bachelors in aerospace systems. I now work in a mechanical role outside of aerospace.

While it may make some specialties more difficult to get into, fundamentally you should be able to get a job somewhere in aerospace with a mechanical bachelors. Although, if a lot of your bachelors was related to HVAC and other 'non exempt' specialties, it might be a good idea to pick up some extra classes where you are week.

Depending what type of aerospace you want to do and where, the fact you needed a Visa may be more of an issue. In many countries only nationals are allowed to work in defense related aerospace.

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[rb1957]

not necessary in my experience, but maybe desirable given the amount of "degree dilution" (on the part of the schools) and "expectation creep" (on the part of hiring managers, and students).

 

[F8]

Well thanks to everyone! I am form India and was about to enroll at Cranfield.I got stuck in my ATAS(Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance which is required prior to visa application. I have a will to get into R&D of particularly the Aero-engines. We don't have any thing going around much in my country. I know being a foreign national it would be difficult for me to get into any of the engine manufacturing organizations.

so how should I plan things now?
What all material, the books, the magazines should I read to start building
my knowledge on Aero-engines ?

 

[loki3000]

no magazines, books.
which specialization are you in mech eng? thermodynamics, design (CAD), solid mechanics...

 

[KENAT]

Unless you're looking directly at the aerodynamics/aero-thermodynamics of the compressor & turbine etc. then the powerplant is one area where mechanical folk might not be missing too much compared aero folk.

In fact, at my school I believe mechanical folk took more thermodynamics classes than us aero folks, though we did take a class in specifically aircraft propulsion - but it was relatively high level and I'd think that if you're going to actually design the engines not just 'use' them then the greater thermo may be more useful.

However, I don't know how the Indian education system works in this regard. Aircraft powerplants are thermo and materials heavy, as well as the aerodynamic & aero-thermodynamic aspects.

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[F8]

If thermodynamics is the area most stressed upon area while designing, how one should start to build up.

Otherwise what is the prime aspect when you are thinking of designing Aero-Engines?


Thanks to everyone for sharing their part!

 

[loki3000]

to which field within the mech eng did you specialize the most? (CAD design, thermo, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, maintenance, production, energetics broadly - fridges etc)
there are many jobs for many profiles (all of those mentioned above)

 

[loki3000]

OR can you just post your full course list, if you are not sure about the specialization.
(i don't know much about the indian college system, i suppose it's similar to the us)

 

[F8]

well there wasn't any specialization throughout the engg. We had a whole lot of subjects adding to what you stated above. We had the design and theory of machines, automation and control, Applied thermodynamics, Mass and heat transfer, Fluid dynamics&machinery, FEM, Mechanical Vibrations, Refrigeration, CFD(basics) and a few more

Of all I can say personally i have spent a good amount of time in mechanical vibrations.

 

[loki3000]

have you had a fixed curriculum or some freedom, as in the us?

 

[F8]

Yeah we had a fixed curriculum but the students were really free with what they wanted to do apart from the curriculum specially in the case of projects and industrial training.

 

[WKTaylor]

Guys...

We have aero-mechanical engineers working various systems all over our acft.

Primarily aerospace defines the "element" where strength/durability-to-mass is highly critical... so unique materials and low design [safety] margins exist.

Aircraft have many mechanical systems: powerplant installations, landing gear and braking, hydraulics, pneumatics, flight and system controls [pure mechanical or mechanical-hydraulic, FBW, etc], doors, pylons/struts, weapons, etc.

Regards, Wil Taylor

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