In Australia, we have a proven history in aerospace engineering. From Qantas, the worlds’ second oldest airline, to a global supply chain supplying leading aircraft manufacturers, Australia is leading the world in research and innovation. Our industry has over 800 firms nationally, which employs 14,000 people across a range of different sectors – generating over $4 billion in turnover annually.
Some of the specialist areas for aerospace engineering includes the following:
Aerodynamics
Understanding aerodynamics is essential for the design of aircraft. The effect of how gasses flow around a body, in particular air, is vital for efficient and comparative aircraft manufacturers and designers. Additionally, aerodynamics is important for making aircraft more environmentally-friendly – reducing the friction and therefore the amount of fossil fuels needed to propel an aircraft.
Aerodynamic engineers are in high demand within Formula 1
Outside of aircraft design and manufacture, aerodynamics is important for racing car and wind turbine technologies. Many car manufactures within Formula 1 racing require aerodynamic engineers on their research and development teams, making sure their vehicles have a competitive edge over other teams.
Research within the sector is usually jointly carried out by both universities and industry, with opportunities to move between the sectors. Currently in the European Union, aerospace and aerodynamic engineers are providing a pivotal role in responding to legislation that requires lower transport emissions by aircraft by 2020.
Materials and structures
Material and structure engineering is vital for aircraft manufacture and design. By studying the structure and properties of materials, including metals and polymers, and investigating methods for shaping, fabricating and joining these materials, this role is essential for innovation within the aerospace industry.
In Australia, we have a long history of material engineering. Boeing Aero-structures Australia is Boeing’s largest manufacturing facility outside of North America, and material engineers are essential to research, innovation, and quality control in the manufacture of aircraft material.
Sustainable aircraft design
The design of sustainable aircraft is essential if we are serious about addressing environmental issues. Incorporating expertise from aerodynamic and material engineers, sustainable aircraft designers are meeting current challenges head-on, requiring them to think outside the box on current aircraft design and engineering.
Both fixed-wing and vertical take-off and landing aircraft are moving towards renewable sources of energy. A aerospace company from Massachusetts, Alaka’i Technologies, has announced the development of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company’s conceptual five-passenger aircraft, known as Skai, is moving beyond traditional Lithium-ion batteries towards a more sustainable source of energy – powered exclusively by hydrogen fuel cells.
