Aviation engineering: An Overview

Civil aviation is a huge business. There are over 50 airlines in the UK, with over 100,000 people employed in air transport jobs, and the figure is set to rise as more and more people and freight move by air. There is a serious shortage of experienced aircraft engineers, and anyone looking to work in the industry will find a number of jobs open to them; provided they have the necessary qualifications or are prepared to get them.

For many years the industry has taken the input of ex-Servicemen/women for granted. Service training and education has always been excellent, and the Service environment produces a very experienced individual after even comparatively short engagements. In civilian life, of course, profitability is a consideration in the operation of aircraft, with a balance drawn between cost and safety. However, for 'commercial' substitute 'operational' and you have a very similar scenario to a Service one.

Aircraft engineering essentially splits into two areas - aircraft and avionics. Aircraft engineers inspect, repair and maintain the airframes and the engines, as well as munitions. Avionic engineers are concerned with the electrical and electronic equipment on aircraft including instruments, radio and radar.

Aircraft engineering in the Services


All three Services have aviation engineering specialists, working on sophisticated and complex instruments and aircraft, both rotary and fixed wing. Qualifications after training range from Master's and Bachelor's degrees, through Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Certificates (HNCs) to National Certificates (NCs), with institute membership at the appropriate grade being available.

Artificers in both the Royal Navy and the Army (REME), and Chief Technicians and many Junior Technicians in the RAF are extremely well-qualified aircraft engineers. They may hold a degree or equivalent and will certainly possess Level 3 qualifications. They will have to use their expertise on different equipment when they leave, but they will have an excellent knowledge of the principles.

One noticeable difference is that civilian employers are generally looking for someone who can work on a number of aspects of the same airframe, with some Service training being too specific for them. Most Service people translate their skills and experience into civilian qualifications while serving. Those that do not may have to prove expertise and pass unnecessary exams later.

Qualifications


It is necessary to have qualifications to work in any branch of engineering. Academic ones vary from degrees (foundation, first and masters) through HNDs and HNCs, to National Diplomas (NDs) and NCs. Vocational qualifications include Vocational A-levels, General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs), Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (AMAs) (Level 3), Foundation Modern Apprenticeships (FMAs) (Level 2), National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

Engineering Council


The Engineering Council is the engineering profession's lead body and is required under Royal Charter to register all engineers who have met standards of education, training and professional competence. The Register has three sections: