What’s the current need right now and over the next few years, and what are the different jobs available? I plan to study the Astronautical side of Aerospace Engineering, but I know right now NASA is having a ton of cut backs. My idea is that the industry will pick back up once they start bringing in new programs and they will need new engineers who can adapt, but what do you think? I would appreciate any feedback from anyone with more experience! Thanks!

The future for Aerospace engineering is going to grow, with the technological world growing around us, NASA will be putting more time, energy and programs into MARS and updating some of the satellites that are ready to be replaced. The space station is here to say and to grow. The Dept of the Navy is relying on Aerospace engineering for missile research and upgrades. I hope you continue your plan on this course of study. There is always a need for good engineers and JPL in Pasadena is innovative in research and Mission control there is monitored 24/365. I believe research is the best course right now, but in a few years, by the time you’re done, there will be plenty of engineering opportunities. Good Luck to you.

I’m heavily in love with planes, the raw power they possess and the elegance of their flight. But I have been looking at some of the jobs for an Aero Engineer and most of those jobs have been "avionics, thermal dynamics, fluid dynamics,…etc." And all these type of jobs for an AE do not seem to hit the spot of the plane that I am interested in. Should I stick with AE or perhaps be an ME and work on the mechanical components of the plane? (I’m not really sure about which engineers work on which components though) Thanks!

Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics are integral part of aerospace engineering, combined they shape up the plane. And mechanical engineers can work in the airframe and structural mechanics.

Are U.S. aerospace companies like Boeing, Lockheed, Sikorsky… able to built high speed trains like Alstom or Siemens ?. I discovered that Sikorsky built a high speed turbotrain ( train with a gas turbine ) but commercially it was unsuccessful.
What do you think ?

They could, but it is doubtful they will.

Ok so I want to go to harper community college for two years, transfer to IIT and major in their aerospace engineering program, making a total of four years time.

How do I know what courses I need to take at harper so that I can sucesfully transfer to IIT’s aerospace program?

Harper has an articulation agreement with IIT, but you need to know you’re very unlikely to get into Aerospace Engineering. In any case, Aerospace Engineering is best studied at the graduate (Master’s) level.

You really haven’t thought this through, have you?

I’m enlisting in the Air Force, and I’m starting to feel stressed out about picking a job. I got pretty high scores on the ASVAB (all in the 70s) so the list of jobs I qualify for is a bit lengthy. My recruiter told me to look over it and pick 7. Does anyone have any information or advice regarding any of the following jobs?

1A131 – Flight Engineer
1C631 – Space Systems Operations
1C531 – Aerospace Control & Warning Systems
2A331 – Avionics Systems
2A333 – Tactical Aircraft Maintenance

Some of the factors I am taking into consideration is length of tech school and deployment rates. I hate school and I’d prefer to learn what I need to learn as quick as possible so I can get to work. As far as deployment goes, it doesn’t bother me much, however I am curious as to what jobs are more likely to be deployed.

1A131 – Flight Engineer – Chances are you won’t be able to get this job straight out of basic you’ll need to do at least three years in an aircraft maintenance career field like the last two on your list then you can cross-train into it. There are two types of FE’s, helicopter and fixed wing, your job is to get the aircraft ready for flight, coordinate with maintenance to get things fixed, keep an eye of the fuel while flying and other duties dependent on the airframe and yes you fly with the plane where ever it goes. Deployments are usually about 4-6 months for helicopters and C-130s, KC-10s deploy but not as long and C-5 Galaxy’s don’t deploy (not yet anyways). I do this job and love it.

1C631 – Space Systems Operations- don’t know much about this job but sounds like you make sure satellites are operating and send commands to them. Not sure on the deployment rate.

1C531 – Aerospace Control & Warning Systems – not sure

2A331 – Avionics Systems – You’ll be working with the instrument systems of the airplane, most of the time you’ll just switch out a bad box and put in a new box. Depends on the airplane what systems you’ll actually work with. Since this is maintenance you’ll deploy with the jets and could be gone as long as they are.

2A333 – Tactical Aircraft Maintenance- Crew Chief on a fighter. You’re a gas station attendant, making sure the tires are good, check the oil on the engines, fill it up with gas and clean the windows. Any big problems you’ll call on specialist to fix the affected item(s) and you get to hold the flashlight. I was a crew chief on C130s, it was fun but didn’t like the long hours and lack of recognition. And yes you will deploy.

Recently i was called for an interview with this company. It was last wednesday, and in my opinion it went pretty well. I have heard that the larger the company, the longer the hiring process. Is that true in this case? Has anyone been hired by Honeywell? If so, how long did it take?

i would follow-up with your contact early next week. there may be many others applying and being interviewed for the position.

Now a days what are more in aerospace technology? List books or videos or pictures also.

The way to find out is to look at what new technology and improvements Boeing and Airbus are building into their fleets. Over the last 20 years there have been improvements in jet engine technology to make them quieter and more fuel efficient and in aerodynamics to help them fly more efficiently, for example.

I go in to the usaf feb 9th of this year as open mech and im a bit worried i have heard good and bad things about it
what i am asking is that i have a score of M51 in the section overal 52 G55 i really need the AF to work out for me and i was wondering the chances of getting one of these jobs i want to work on air craft nothing else none of those other things in MECH it has to be on air craft
Tacical Aircraft Maintenance
Aerospace Maintenance
Helicopter Maintenance
Aerospace Propulsion
Aircraft Fuel Systems
Aircraft Metals Technology
Nondestructive Inspection
Aircraft Structural Maintenance

Here are some links that could help you get the info you are looking for:

http://www.military.com/MilitaryCareers/Content/0,14556,MPDC_Options_Commissioning_AirForce,00.html
http://www.af.mil/

I’m a born canadian who aspires in becoming a NASA engineer. Currently I have a B.A in Applied Mathematics and currently at Cornell taking an undergrad in aerospace engineer. I plan on taking a Masters and Phd in aerospace engineer at MIT. Will this be good enough, I mean would I get job with NASA even though I may not be a U.S citizen.

The biggest problem you will have for getting a job at NASA is that you are not a US citizen. To work for NASA you are an employee of the United States Government so unless they have some insanely good reason to hire you and do lots of paper work every year to re-justify your job, you will not be able to work for NASA itself unless you obtain US citizenship.

BUT, that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. You could apply to the Canadian Space Agency and do work at NASA but be technically employed by CSA. CSA has a strong role in the shuttle and station programs with the robotic arms. Also, astronauts from other agencies do come to NASA a lot because that is one of two places in the world with the required astronaut training facilities (where those foreign astronauts go depends on the vehicle they are taking to get into orbit).

I am not sure if you can do duel citizenship, but I see that as the easiest route.

Also, I am not sure how far along you are in your current undergrad, but you should also look into NASA’s college programs (again, citizenship might be a big hurdle first). NASA’s co-operative education program is the BEST way to get your foot in the door at NASA. It gives you the opportunity to work there as a student and show them what you are made of. If you impress them it’s a great way to get a job. There have been years when Johnson Space Center has only hired "fresh-outs" from the co-op program. Graduate co-ops are also hired, but there are more places for undergraduates. http://coop.jsc.nasa.gov/index.html

NASA has other programs, too. Here is a link that will take you to all of NASA’s programs (USRP and GSRP are two I think you should look into, too): http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/index.html

Yet another option you have is to look at working for NASA’s contractors. Again, many require citizenship, but it will be easier to find companies that will hire you by looking at NASA’s contractors because it’s not always a requirement. A lot of times contractors (especially those that are able to work on site at NASA) are able to become experts in their fields and then NASA hires them full time. Most of the people that work onsite at NASA are actually contractors. The civil servant (government employee) population is smaller, but working for the government is typically viewed as a much better job).

Good luck with everything. Keep excelling and making yourself stand out!

P.S. Wernher von Braun was a naturalized U.S. citizen (ref. the post above).

im currently an aerospace engineering major at a 4 yr university that doesnt have an aviation program so im forced to go to a separate 2 yr school that has one. is this wise or should i transfer to a 4 yr college where i can do a double major or does it even matter?

Getting a four year degree is very important if you want to be a professional pilot (it’s usually required for the better flying jobs), but it does not need to be in aviation. Many pro-pilots have degrees in other areas as a fallback and did there training at a local airport. Personally, my degree is in Political Science and I did my flight training at my local airport. I know pro-pilots with history degrees, english degrees, art degrees, philosophy degrees, as well as about every science degree (including engineering) that I know of. Never has my degree outside of aviation hindered my ability to get an interview or a job. Finish your engineering degree and go to your local airport, find an instructor you like, and go at it.