Does anybody know what aerospace engineers do?

Question

It just came across from me and i would really like to know any links related to aerospace engineering or what it is, thanks.

Answer 1

I do not know any specific link, I just look at what I do all day.

There are several disciplines actually. We have the advanced aerodynamicists. They basically design the fine details of the wing and fuselage surface in order to minimize drag and maximise lift. They do this by modelling the aircraft surface into thousands of small elements and solving the Navier Stokes equation with supercomputers.

You have the aerodynamicists, some of whom look into the stability and control, and some look into performance. The result of their studies is a proper sizing of control surfaces and the power required to make them move, the clearing of the flight enveloppe, the buffet boundary; and the mission capability, the fuel usage and optimal climb profile, and the flight manual that describes what the airplane can do in terms of performance as a function of conditions (for instance take off distance with wind, when temperature is high, when the airport is at high altitude, when there is rain or snow on the runway, etc.), or the operation and thrust of the engine under various conditions.

These are the disciplines that are rather unique to aviation. ut there are engineers looking at loads and dynamics (the flexing of surfaces under load) stress (to determine how strong each part needs to be), systems (landing gear, hydraulic systems, avionics).

We also have engineers in product support, and sales support.

Most of the work we do is computer based these days, so ease with computers is a must.

Answer 2

Aerospace Engineering is more or less a specialized version of mechanical engineering. Many of the courses are the same and some universities do not offer a BSAAE degree, but instead designate a special area of study.

I'm a BSAAE, but have primarily been employed as a mechanical engineer since graduation. Aerospace appears to be a relatively hot or cold industry. Either jobs and pay are great, or you're laid off and doing contract work. I wanted something more stable.

Answer 3

Aerospace engineers design all kinds of manned and unmanned aircraft and spacecraft, from small airplanes to satellites.Aerospace engineers typically are employed within the aerospace industry, although their skills are becoming in Aerospace engineers research, design and develop aerospace vehicles, aerospace systems and their components, and perform duties related to theircreasingly valuable in other fields.Aerospace engineers design all kinds of manned and unmanned aircraft and spacecraft, from small airplanes to satellites.

Answer 4

engineering dealing with the analysis and design of aerospace vehicles. Background in fields such as aero/hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, dynamics and control and multidisciplinary design optimization.

NASA would be a big employeer, as would any airplane designer (e.g. Boeing or Lockheed) and the Federal Gov't.

Answer 5

Work for for Boeing or Lockheed Martin or any Airlines.

Answer 6

design, fix machines that operate in air and / or space. they deal with stuff like designing aeroplanes, space ships, analyze problems related to them .. stuff like that...

Answer 7

It has been my experience that they do as little as possible.


Doug