Written history records human efforts and ambitions for flights and flying, at least 2000 years since. Ancient mythologies are filled with flying gods and floating heavens. No wonder, human always felt a deep connection with skies and envied birds and other flying objects for their ability to fly. Our forefathers envisioned wings on their back and flying high, borderless. For them flying was personal, emotional and meant freedom.
Flight, as they comprehended, is not only about defying earth’s gravity to stay afloat, but also gathering direction to the flight, adding control and speed. Three major streams that equipped human achieve this dream, revolves around engineering and technology.
- Aerospace Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Astronautical Engineering
Prima facie each of the above domains may seem different and unrelated to few, or identical to some; each of them are very much interconnected and mostly rooted on the same basic flight principles, yet, application level very much different, poles apart. They deal with design and development of technologies for achieving flights. Aerospace engineering is the overall domain where flights are achieved both in earth’s atmosphere and beyond. Aeronautical engineering handles the flight in earth’s atmosphere and astronautical engineering deals with flight beyond earth’s atmosphere.
For the flight to be successful, it has to be controlled. Avionics helps in achieving that purpose through high end engineering application of electronics in aviation.
Aviation and aviation management are interrelated fields that surrounds flight and aircraft industry in matters beyond engineering. Management and business related aspects are dealt with greater concern here.
Aerospace (Engineering):
It is the primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. Or, the domain can be precisely summarized as engineering of flights both in and beyond earth’s atmosphere. Aerospace engineering has two major sub-domains – Aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
Aeronautics (Engineering):
This is the study, design, and manufacturing of air flight–capable machines, and the techniques of operating aircraft and rockets within the atmosphere.
Astronautics (Engineering):
Astronautics or cosmonautics is the theory and practice of travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere into outer space.
Avionics (Engineering):
Avionics systems include the auto-pilot, navigation, communication and flight instruments. Avionics is a field derived from Aviation and Electronics domains. Application of high end engineering in flight control is the the main objective here. While aviation part deals with activities surrounding mechanical flights, electronics includes physics and application of electrons for this purpose.
Aviation & Aviation Management:
In aviation activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry are performed. Major sub domains here are Civil Aviation, Military Aviation and Aviation Safety.
Aviation management includes study of airlines, airports and business related to the aerospace industry. It is the domain where managing the operations of the aviation department and ensuring all the maintenance, safety, and scheduling operations are executed properly.
Summary Table:
| Sl. No. | Domain | What is? | Courses |
| 1. | Aerospace (Engineering) | Aerospace is often studied and pursued as a field in engineering. It is the design and development of new technologies in aviation, space, and defense systems. Primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering can be further divided into two subdomains – Aeronautical Engineering and Astronautical Engineering. | B.Tech/B.E. (Aerospace Engg.) 4 yrs |
| 2. | Aeronautics (Engineering) | Aeronautics is also pursued as field in engineering, further it is the sub-domain of aerospace engineering. Study, design, and manufacturing of air flight–capable machines, and the techniques of operating aircraft and rockets within the atmosphere. | B.Tech/B.E. (Aeronautical Engg.) 4 yrs |
| 3. | Astronautics (Engineering) | Astronautics or cosmonautics is the theory and practice of travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere into outer space. It is a subdomain of aerospace engineering. | B.Tech/B.E. (Astronautical Engg.) 4 yrs |
| 4. | Avionics | Avionics = Aviation + Electronics. Aviation includes overall activities around flights and aircraft industry. Electronics is the application of physics and electrons. Avionics systems include the auto-pilot, navigation, communication and flight instruments. | B.Tech/B.E. (Avionics Engg.) 4 yrs |
| 5. | Avaition | Activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Civil Aviation, Military Aviation, Aviation Safety. 1. Pilot, co-pilot 2. Air Traffic Controller 3. Aircraft and Avionics Mechanic 4. Airport Manager 5. Transportation Security Screener 6. Airfield Operations Specialist 7. Aeronautical Engineer | BBA/B.Sc Aviation Management / Airport Management (3 years) Diploma in Airport Management /Ground Staff and Cabin Crew Training/ Aviation Hospitality / Airfare & Ticketing Management (6 months – 1 yr) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) (3 yrs) Commercial Pilot |
| 6. | Aviation Management | Study of airlines, airports and business related to the aerospace industry. It includes managing the operations of the aviation department and ensuring all the maintenance, safety, and scheduling operations are executed properly. | Same as above |
This topic is explained in the video below:
Disclaimer: Information shared here is basic and must not be taken as the final word. Before taking a final decision, please seek expert advise from competent sources.
Mujeeb Patla 