Expert: Ray Wilkinson - 5/18/2007

Question
Sir,I want to know what is the difference between aeronautics engineering and aerospace engineering??

Answer
Hi Archita

There's no difference at all - it's just fashion. The modern name is aerospace engineering, reflecting both aircraft and other areas such as astronautics and missiles. However, the 'old' aeronautical degrees tended to include these anyway. Over the last 20 years, most aeronautical degrees have had the name changed to aerospace. In fact, I don't think there's a single degree programme here in the UK that is still called by the old version of the name.

A major difference, though, is aerospace systems engineering, which tend to focus more on the systems side - treating an aircraft as a set of integrated systems. These frequently include more on the control and electronics (avionics) and less on the mechanically based subjects.

I hope this now answers your question.

Regards

Ray