aircraft designer, where to study?

[low n' slow]

Hi all! Hope this is in the correct forum!

I've been pondering on what to do if I can't get a job as a pilot. One career I came up with was aircraft designer or engineer. Not a mechanic performing maintenance tasks but one drawing or designing aircraft. However, I've got no Idea of where to study or so to speak, which degree to get? I know that design is no longer what it used to be as things seem to be more specified these days, eg. the man in charge of designing the undercarriage is not in charge of the flaps aswell... So obviously there must be range of degrees. What exactly do I want to look for in terms of subjects to study if I want to design a wing for example?

Grateful for any replies!
/lns

(and sorry if my english is a bit out of order)

[mainwheel]

Boeing and Airbus make most airline category aircraft.Then you have Dehaviland,cessna,bell,etc etc.
Then there's Mcdonnel Douglas who make F14's,along with other other military aircraft.
Only scratching the surface of possible employers.
Why not write and enquire about cadetships and the like.Plenty world wide to choose from.University degree would be minimum qualifications to gain. Also companies like hamilton make MEC's(main engine controller-a sophisticated Carbureter),propellors,hydraulic pumps an the list goes on......
The basic thing has already been designed,it's now a matter of efficiency.
Good luck.

[Genghis the Engineer]

You really need an engineering degree to work in this area these days, preferable aeronautical, but mechanical can do.

All the big companies (Boeing, Airbus, BAE, Westlands, etc. etc.) have buildings full of people working on design but the vast majority of them rapidly become narrow specialists on sub-systems such as undercarriage, flaps, toilets, etc. Not, personally, my idea of fun.

If you want to work on whole aircraft design issues, there are three ways:-

(1) Try and work in a flight test department and become an FTE (Flight Test Engineer). Interestingly, some companies, particularly in the USA, still require a CPL for this.

(2) Aim to work in the "future projects" department of one of the big companies. I honestly don't know how you get into these, but suspect it is probably good aero-eng degree + design office time.

(3) Accept less money and more fun, and go and work for a smaller light aircraft, microlight, or glider manufacturer. There you really will work on whole aircraft issues.

Personally I've done (1) then (3) and have no regrets (so far). I've never designed a whole aircraft, but lots of parts of aircraft, and handled the certification of several full types, which is incredibly rewarding.


So far as the academics are concerned, you really want to start with a first degree in either aeronautical or mechanical engineering. You can then either try and go in at the bottom of a department and learn your way up, or spend another year of study doing an MSc (Master of Science degree) in a specialist subject such as FEA, CFD, Conceptual design, etc. There are many good universities, but if you are asking about the UK I'd start by looking at Southampton, Cranfield, Glasgow and Loughborough - in no particular order.

G

[Blacksheep]

Ghengis is as usual, spot on; but why turn your nose up at Maintenance?

The field is bigger than you think and most airlines have Technical Services sections (or departments) employing graduate engineers on development work. The bigger the airline, the more opportunities there are - at one time British Airways even employed Metallurgists. One structures engineer that worked in our section left aircraft manfacture because he was sick of designing emergency exit hatches. He designed the original, modified it for the freight version, developed it to overcome in-service difficulties - you get the picture. In an airline 'maintenance' office he works on structural repairs and modifications covering the whole aircraft.

The point is, designers tend to end up specialised in small areas. (Lu Zuckerman being an obvious exception - some advice for this young chap please...) whereas airline engineering departments cover all the operating issues.

[low n' slow]

Thanx all!
Very informative replies!

The reason for not being interested in maintenance is that I want to create, not maintain. Although it seems an impossible thing to do nowadays, I would like to come up with new ideas and systems.
The thought of working for a small A/C manufacturer has struck me several times as perhaps a more rewarding career than spending 10 yrs on perfecting a toiletseat... :rolleyes:

Well, well, I'm still rather young so I'm no rush of getting anywhere.
Thanks again for informative replies!

regards/lns

oh, by the way, genghis, by which manufacturer were you employed? Anyone I would know of?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Genghis Senior got fed up and went into Engineering sales instead (where, despite being allegedly retired he still seem to make more money than me on a couple of days a week) after spending 2 years designing wing sections in the Supermarine drawing office in the 1960s.

Me, I've spent time at RAE, Westlands, Britten-Norman, A&AEE, you've probably heard of most of those; I'm still on the books of one as a consultant although none are currently making a significant contribution to my mortgage. I suppose I've worked with, alongside, or at least visited the site of most aircraft manufacturers in UK and Western Europe at some point.

G

[Bottle Fatigue]

LnS

Just to add a word of warning, don't expect massive levels of remuneration - nobody ever gets rich being an engineer these days. Unless you are one of the real high-flyers, expect to spend a long time on pretty poor pay ( for a professional ).

Although you can progress through engineering to a lucrative position you tend to have to leave the engineering behind at some point. I don't want to put you off, engineering can be a very rewarding profession - seeing something that you've designed a part of take to the sky gives a tremendous feeling of acheivement.

If you want to continue - I'd advise an Aeronautical degree - Loughborough is very well respected, just a hint.

Bottle.