Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/15/2005

Question
Hi,
I am currently in my final year studying towards a degree in information technology in Australia. I have a passion for aviation and would like to use my degree and work with aeroplanes or in the industry. I can't seem to find much information about how the two disciplines can be combined, but am sure aviation relies on computing in many areas.
Please could you point me in the right direction and advise of any options I may have.
Thanks
Ej

Answer
Hi, EJ:

It is very nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist!

First of all, yes, you are correct:  There is quite a bit of reliance on computing in the aviation industry.  For example, computer reservations systems are used by the airline industry to track their passenger reservations.  Also, several different parts of the airline and general aviation industry use different forms of scheduling software to schedule flights, to schedule maintenance and to schedule flight crews.  Finally, the civil aviation authorities of most nations rely on comututing to support their national airspace systems and air traffic control.

Therefore, there ARE jobs out there directly within the aviation industry (meaning, directly with airlines, civil aviation authorities, aviation manufacturers, etc) and with contracting companies who support the aviation industry with computing services.

An excellent place to check for such job listings is with Air Jobs Digest, which is a US publication that lists, among other things, jobs in IT or computing in aviation.  They can be reached on line at www.AirJobsDaily.com or by calling in the USA 301-990-6800 extension 300.

There is also a US publicaiton entitled THE WORLD AVIATION DIRECTORY which lists aviation companies of all kinds throughout the world.  This publication is available right now for $159 from McGraw Hill Publishing at www.mcgraw-hill.com or by email from p02cs@mcgraw-hill.com (this is a customer service email address).

I am sorry that I do not know the Australian aviation industry better, but, I do believe that your government in Canberra has, over the years, worked well on a number of international efforts for advancement of IT in the aviation industry.  I think you will find that the Australian government might be a good start in terms of finding out what sort of requirements that they want for people working in aviation/national airspace systems jobs.

I hope that this information helps!

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu/