Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/3/2009

Question
Hello, Just have these questions. Please help me.
This year i am graduating and choosing college or university.
And i am thinking of becoming an aviation engineer but when i made a search it's like a pilot?
1.I mean will i have enough time to spend with my family if i just keep flying?
2.I thought the aviation engineer makes routes for planes and checks their take off road or smthng like that but do they actually fly?
3.Are there any university of aviation engineer in Japan?
4. Do you think Aerospace engineer is better?

Thank you so much for answering these questions. I am little bit confused

Answer
Hi, April:

Thank you for your questions, I will try to assist.

I believe that you were confused about the terms "FLIGHT Engineer" versus "AERONAUTICAL Engineer."  A flight engineer does sit in the cockpit of an aircraft and, in many cases, acts as a "third pilot" for some of the older aircraft.  In general, this position is being phased out of most airlines.  An Aeronautical Engineer is someone who, among other things, designs aeronautical structures and aircraft.

1.  Yes, if you are a pilot, you are gone a lot because of the nature of flying....most airline careers are such that you are gone from 12 to 18 days a month for your whole career.

2.  See above on what a "flight engineer" does and what an aeronautical engineer does...

3.  I am not sure about aeronautical engineering programs in Japan....but, why don't you put the term "aeronautical engineer" (in Japan) into a search engine like Yahoo or Google and see what comes up?

4.  I am not sure what you mean with this question.....Aerospace engineers are mostly like aeronautical engineers except that they apply their knowledge in the military and space segments of the aviation industry.

I hope that this answer helps you!

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer