Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Careers in Aviation and Aerospace - Excitement Awaits You

Whether you are trying to figure out what to do when you "grow up," or you are looking for a new career, one exciting choice to consider is a career in the aviation and aerospace field. This is a field that is not for the faint of heart, but if you love excitement, this just may be a career you will enjoy. While this is a great field to get involved in, a great deal of preparation must be made if you want to have a successful career in this field. There are many positions available, and money to be made, so why not consider what this career has to offer you.

Positions Available

There are many different positions available in the aviation and aerospace field, and all are unique and exciting. One career that many think of when they talk about this field is an airline pilot. Some pilots work for private companies, while others have the opportunity to work for larger airline companies. There are airline pilot positions that deal with transferring people, while others may mainly transfer various goods.

Another great career in this field is being an airline stewardess or steward. This career is exciting and allows you to meet many people and to see many places around the world. There are also jobs available for airline mechanics, who deal with the mechanics of airplanes and ensure that they are safe for flight. Inspectors also are important in the airline industry too.

Traffic controllers have important jobs in the aviation and aerospace industry and they have the responsibility of communication with pilots and making sure that landings and takeoffs occur as smoothly as possible. Other great careers in this field include flight engineers, avionics technicians, avionics technologists, and even astronauts.

Education Needed

There are various levels of education needed in this field, depending on which career you happen to choose. While many companies do not require airline attendants to have a college education, there are specific class that they must take, including classes in airline regulations, CRP and First Aid classes, and other certifications depending on their employer.

Pilots, on the other hand, usually require a great deal more education than do airline attendants. While you at least have to be a high school graduate to be a pilot, most employers actually prefer those who have at least two to four years of college as well. A pilots license must be acquired as well, which will include many hours of flying, both with an instructor and on your own, and passing a physical as well.

Astronauts require a great deal of education as well. Usually they are required to have various bachelor degrees in fields that include physical science, engineering, biological science, and mathematics. A vision test is also required before you can become an astronaut. After astronauts become candidates, then they actually have to complete an entire year of training before they can actively take on this job.

Making Money

The amount of money that people in this field makes varies largely by the type of career they choose as well. As a general rule, pilots will make between $40,000 to $150,000 a year, depending on how long they have been flying and what companies they work for. Flight attendants make significantly less, but they still usually make between $16,000-$30,000 when they are first starting out, and then as they become more experienced they may even make up to $75,000 a year. Astronauts actually do not make as much as many people think, with their average salaries running between $39,000 and $78,000 each year.

Great Companies to Work For

There are many great companies to work for in the aviation and aerospace field as well, both in Canada and in the United States. When you are looking for a company to work for, be sure to consider their pay rate and the benefits that they have to offer. Some great companies to work for in the United States include Lockhead Martin, Spirit Aerosystems, and American Airlines. Some companies to consider if you want to work in Canada include Cornwall Aviation, West Wind Aviation, and North West Geomatics.

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