Aviation engineering
Civil aviation is huge business. There are over 50 airlines in the UK, with over 100,000 people employed in air transport jobs, and the figure is set to rise as more and more people and freight move by air. There is a serious shortage of experienced aircraft engineers, and anyone looking to work in the industry will find a number of jobs open to them; provided they have the necessary qualifications or are prepared to get them.










For many years the industry has taken the input of ex-Servicemen and women for granted. Service training and education has always been excellent, and the Service environment produces a very experienced individual after even comparatively short engagements. In civilian life, of course, profitability is a consideration in the operation of aircraft with a balance drawn between cost and safety. However, for ‘commercial’ substitute ‘operational’ and it is a very similar scenario to a Service one.




Aircraft engineering essentially splits into two areas – aircraft and avionics. Aircraft engineers inspect, repair and maintain the airframes and the engines, as well as munitions. Avionic engineers are concerned with the electrical and electronic equipment on aircraft including instruments, radio and radar.
Aircraft engineering in the ServicesAll three Services have aviation engineering specialists, working on sophisticated and complex instruments and aircraft, both rotary and fixed-wing. Qualifications after training range from Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees, through Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Certificates (HNCs) to National Certificates, with institute membership at the appropriate grade being available.