AboutMarc Ebelini Expertise Basis aircraft and engine maintenance. Avionics and other electronic questions related to computers and radio communications.
Experience FAA licensed comercial pilot, A&P mechanic, former authorized inspector, ground instructor certified in aircraft, powerplant and radio navigation. FCC commercial license.
Expert: Marc Ebelini Date: 5/30/2007 Subject: Aviation engineering vs Aerospace engineering
Question Hi Marc,
I am 12 standard student from India, and just got selection in iit. I have to choices, one is aviation and other is aerospace. Could you explain me the difference between both type of engineering. My aspiration is excel in the field of space engineering.
I'll be highly thankful to u if u help me.
Answer Basically we are dealing with two areas of expertise. Mainly the difference evolves the environment. One vehicle travels in our atmosphere and the other in a vacuum therefore requiring a completely different approach. Regardless of what particular area you will be working in whether in be controls, cockpit instrumentation or propulsion etc. The environment requires a different course of study. To make an simple point. Designing flight controls on aircraft uses the study of aerodynamics. Controlling the space craft requires the knowledge of propulsion in a vacuum. Aerodynamics would be of little help in that case.
Space engineering offers more challenging opportunities and different course of study. But what you choose is what you will like to do. Love to fly but personally have no interest in space travel because to me that is not flying.
While others like sitting in a capsule hundreds of thousand miles above the earth. So pick your course of studies that will include the subject matter that covers which environment you will need to understand best. It's almost like deciding if you want to work in jeans or in a space suit. It's two different worlds. Hope I made sense to you
