If there’s a career with a promising future, it’s aeronautical engineering. We’re talking not only about aviation—a field that is constantly evolving and advancing—but also about other sustainable air mobility solutions that are beginning to emerge, such as eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles), also known as air taxis. This is without even mentioning the first prototypes of 100-percent decarbonized aircraft, still in early experimental stages, or the search for new sustainable fuels as these models move closer to becoming a reality.
Improving aerodynamics, maximising efficiency, innovating… these are some of the challenges future aeronautical engineers will face. But what exactly is aeronautical engineering? Let’s take a closer look—and especially at some interesting details that aren´t common knowledge.
First of All, What Does the Study of Aeronautical Engineering Involve?
Essentially, it´s the field of study for designing, developing, and ensuring the highest efficiency of aircraft and all their components. When we speak of aircraft, we inevitably think of aeroplanes—civil or military—but this area also includes helicopters, drones, and other flying devices.
An aeronautical engineer also has the ability to research and oversee new materials, the manufacturing processes for each aircraft component, and flight control systems. Of course, they are also responsible for other areas such as the maintenance of these types of craft.
By extension, aeronautical engineering also deals with spacecraft. In both aircraft and spacecraft, these engineers design and develop everything from propulsion systems to structures (the fuselage) and electronic components. They ensure the effectiveness of new prototypes through flight tests that assess both performance and onboard safety. And, naturally, they monitor the quality of materials and manufacturing processes.
But what inspires this technology? In which sectors is it currently applied, and what challenges does the profession face? Here are a few intriguing details about this fascinating field.
Aeronautical Engineering Takes Inspiration from Nature
The science that seeks inspiration in nature to develop innovative technological solutions is known as biomimetics. Here are some examples of how nature has been applied to aeronautical engineering:
- The silent flight of owls is due to their wings, which have serrated edges. Aeronautical engineers have drawn on this structure to reduce turbulence and noise in aircraft wings. In this way, the flying experience has been significantly improved, while the reduction in air resistance also increases the aircraft’s sustainability and efficiency.
- The natural ability of birds to adjust their speed, flight direction, and altitude through wing flapping has inspired engineers in the sector to design control surfaces that enhance stability and handling when facing challenges such as turbulence or gusts of wind.
- Thermal currents provide a natural model for energy efficiency: gliding birds, for example, ascend by harnessing heat rising from the Earth’s surface. This has led aeronautical specialists to develop gliders and lightweight aircraft that use warm air currents to travel long distances without mechanical propulsion.
- Bees defy the laws of physics by carrying loads heavier than their own weight. Aeronautical engineers have studied this phenomenon to advance research in aerodynamics and load distribution, leading to the development of more sustainable aircraft that can carry greater weight while consuming less fuel.
Aeronautical Engineers Also Design Air Traffic Control Systems
The technological infrastructure that enables air traffic controllers to carry out their vital work is developed by specialists such as aeronautical engineers. Software engineers also play an essential role in this preparatory stage before flights can actually operate. These engineers specialise in electronic systems, computing and/or communications, with the aim of improving the safety and efficiency of air operations.
Reducing Noise — A Challenge Since the Dawn of Aviation
Noise, as we know, can even affect people’s health. That´s why one of the major challenges in aeronautical engineering has always been to reduce noise pollution — a goal that has largely been achieved. Quieter engines, materials that absorb and insulate against sound, and tools for analysing and monitoring noise are all an essential part of the work undertaken by these professionals.
The Search for New Materials
From the first aeroplanes – made of wood with parts of their structure covered in fabric – to the present day, aeronautical engineering has evolved enormously. Currently, some of the main trends being explored are as follows:
- Composite materials. One of the emerging areas in aeronautical research and development involves materials that combine two or more components to create a single material that is stronger and more resilient, yet lighter. Nanotechnology and next-generation composites play a key role here, designed for use in sensitive parts of aircraft.
- Titanium and magnesium alloys. These alloys have proved to be one of the great discoveries of recent times: lightweight, resistant even to high temperatures, and sustainable thanks to their recyclability (they are already used in engine turbines). Titanium alloys score highly for their lower environmental impact. Magnesium, meanwhile, is far more abundant and therefore more readily available, and is beginning to be used in lightweight parts and structures.
- Smart materials. Research into these materials—capable of changing their properties in response to external stimuli—is proving particularly fascinating. Some change shape with temperature, others generate electricity from mechanical vibration, and some alter their colour depending on the presence or absence of light.
Aircraft Wings — Another Key Area of Ongoing Research
The design of wings is crucial not only for reducing an aircraft´s air resistance but also for improving its efficiency in terms of environmental impact. An optimised wing profile is synonymous with lower fuel consumption. Flexible wings, which change shape during flight, represent the next step towards making aircraft even more efficient.