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22 January 2026

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Aeronautical Engineering Overview

Aeronautical Engineering deals with the design, development, testing, and maintenance of aircraft. It includes aeroplanes, helicopters, and drones. Aeronautical engineers ensure safety, efficiency, and innovation in the aviation industry. They contribute to projects like commercial aviation, defence, and space exploration. In India, the field of aerospace engineering has a huge demand in the defence, commercial aviation, and space sectors, offering a huge scope for the field. Projections indicate that India's aviation market is expected to become the world's third-largest market by 2030.  

Key Facts and Scope in India

In India, the scope of aeronautical engineering is increasing with government initiatives like Make in India. Aeronautical engineering graduates can work on commercial jets, military aircraft, and UAVs. HAL, ISRO, DRDO, Boeing, Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), and Mahindra Aerospace are some major companies hiring aeronautical engineering graduates.

B.Tech Aeronautical Engineering

B.Tech Aeronautical Engineering is a four-year undergraduate course that primarily focuses on aeroplane control and design in the aviation sector. Core subjects of aeronautical engineering include Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Flight Mechanics, Avionics, and Materials Science. Graduates of B.Tech Aeronautical Engineering have a wide range of job opportunities in India and abroad.

B.Tech eligibility: Aspirants must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. The minimum marks required for admission are around 50 to 60%. Reserved categories often get relaxed marks (e.g., 45% for SC/ST). Some institutes may have institute-specific exams beyond the common entrance exams.

How to Become Aeronautical Engineer After 12th

Those aspiring to become an aeronautical engineer can pursue formal education in B.Tech aeronautical engineering. Below is a complete roadmap to help aspirants pursue this path.

  1. To become an aeronautical engineer, aspirants must first choose a science stream in their Class 12 education. Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) is a mandatory combination for pursuing engineering.
  2. Qualifying in the national or state-level entrance exams is another requirement of most B.Tech programmes. Hence, aspirants must prepare for any of the engineering entrance exams - JEE Main, JEE Advanced, MHT CET, KCET, COMEDK UGET and more.
  3. Clearing the entrance exams makes one eligible to pursue a 4-year B.Tech programme in Aeronautical Engineering. Many institutions may also require students to appear for personal interviews or presentations as additional selection rounds.
  4. They must also gain internship experiences, project works and industry exposures during their undergraduate studies to broaden their understanding. This also helps increase chances of employability.
  5. Interested aspirants can also pursue an M.Tech or a doctoral degree to gain a deeper understanding of aircraft structures, design, aerodynamics and more.

Engineering Entrance Exams

Below are common engineering entrance or aeronautical entrance exams that students must qualify for to choose B.Tech Aeronautical Engineering:

National and State-Level Exams

  1. JEE Main
  2. JEE Advanced
  3. MHT CET
  4. KCET
  5. COMEDK UGET

Institutional-Level Exams

  1. HITSEEE (Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science)
  2. SRMJEEE
  3. VITEEE
  4. JET

Skills Developed in B.Tech Aeronautical Engineering

Core skills gained during B.Tech in aeronautical engineering includes:

  1. Knowledge of Propulsion systems
  2. Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics
  3. Software proficiency in CAD and MATLAB
  4. Avionics and control systems
  5. Structural analysis of airframes
  6. Knowledge of Materials Science

Career Paths in Aeronautical Engineering

After completing B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering, students can pursue the following careers:

Popular Job Roles

  1. Design Engineer
  2. Drone Pilot
  3. Structural Engineer (Stress Engineer)
  4. Aerodynamics Engineer
  5. Avionics & Flight Control Engineer
  6. Researcher (Scientist)

Top Hiring Companies

  1. Boeing
  2. Airbus
  3. DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
  4. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
  5. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
  6. Air India
  7. BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited)
  8. Mahindra Aerospace
  9. Tata Advanced Systems (TASL)

Pilot Engineering vs Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering is the technical degree that deals with teaching aspirants how to design, build, and test aircraft. It is a four-year degree that focuses on knowledge of theory, structures, propulsion and aerodynamics. Pilot engineering or Pilot training includes a structured curriculum that combines theory and practical experience in flying the aircraft. It teaches hands-on control, emergency procedures, and multi-engine operations. While both paths lead to aviation careers, aeronautical engineering focuses on the creation of aircraft, while pilot training centres on operation.

Conclusion

Aeronautical engineering offers a fulfilling career path for those aspiring in this field. Graduates of the field find jobs in sectors like defence, space, commercial aviation, and aircraft manufacturing. This blog includes all the information about aeronautical engineering, core subjects, eligibility, and entrance exams to help aspirants build successful careers. Entry-level aeronautical engineers can earn around Rs.4 - Rs.6 lakhs per year, making it a career worth pursuing.

Contact JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) for admissions in Aeronautical Engineering today.

FAQs

Q1. What is aeronautical salary?

A1. Entry-level aeronautical engineers can earn average salaries of about Rs.4 - Rs.6 lakhs per annum. For mid-level roles, engineers can earn between Rs.10 - Rs.15 lakhs per annum. Engineers at top companies such as ISRO, DRDO, HAL, Boeing, and Airbus can earn about Rs.20 lakhs per annum.

Q2. What do aeronautical engineers do?

A2. Aeronautical engineers design, develop, test, and maintain aircraft and missiles. They work on R&D for projects at top research organisations (DRDO), ensure flight safety through simulations, and innovate in drones or sustainable fuels.

Q3. Do we need JEE for aeronautical engineering?

A3. JEE is a reputed national-level examination required for admission into prestigious engineering colleges like the IITs or NITs. But it is not always mandatory, since many private universities and state colleges conduct their own exams like the JET, VITEEE, KCET, and COMEDK.

Q4. What is the salary of a pilot?

A4. In India, the salary of a pilot varies based on experience, flight hours and seniority. An entry-level pilot can earn anywhere between Rs.5-10 lakhs per annum. With experience, they can earn over Rs.20 lakhs per annum at top airlines like IndiGo and Air India.

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