What is the Difference Between Aviation and Aeronautics?

<p>Aviation and aeronautics both have their basis in flight science and engineering. Depending on your end goal, one field may be better suited than the other. Both are explored in more detail in the following sections. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutTheseCareers">Important Facts About These Careers</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> </td><th> Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Technicians </th><th> Aerospace Engineers</th></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $65,550 </td><td> $122,270</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Trouble-shooting, detail-oriented, dexterity, observational </td><td> Problem-solving, math, critical thinking, analytical</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Electro-mechanical technician, network systems administrator, automotive service technician </td><td> Industrial engineer, mechanical engineer, architectural/engineering manager</td></tr> <tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Usually in a hangar, repair station, or airfield, commonly under a strict deadline </td><td> Usually in an office working with software design tools</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---Aviation">Aviation</h3> <p>Aviation includes engineering, but it's also an industry with many different job opportunities. In just over a century, aviation has changed the way that the world travels. The history of aviation did not begin with the Wright brothers, but their successful flight in 1903 in the first heavier-than-air ship was the start of a revolution. Airports are in every large city and in many small towns. Airlines schedule flights to cities and towns in America, as well as around the world. </p> <p>Students majoring in aviation can train to be pilots or navigators. Aviation management programs teach you the basics of airport operations that include applications such as aviation law, security issues, aircraft design, and weather issues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal agencies, such as the armed forces, are venues for you to study to become an air traffic controller. </p> <p>Technical schools and community colleges offer programs that can train you to work in the aviation industry as mechanics, technicians and in the service end of the business in jobs such as flight attendant, service desk person, ticket agent or other personnel. </p> <h3 id="section---Aeronautics">Aeronautics</h3> <p>Aeronautics is generally taught as a subset or concentration in aerospace engineering. Aeronautic engineers focus on the details of manned flight. You would work on applications such as manipulating an aircraft's design to be more aerodynamic and efficient, estimating an aircraft's propulsion needs and testing and analyzing these designs. </p> <p>Aeronautic engineering majors initially focus on mathematical and engineering principles. Some advanced courses such as flight theory, air traffic control, aviation law, and security are similar to aviation majors. But you will also learn about aerospace propulsion, thermodynamics, and flight dynamics. </p> <p>Aeronautic or aerospace engineers can work for government agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as flight engineers, designers and members of mission control. Aircraft or weapon manufacturers also hire aeronautic engineers to design airplanes, helicopters, spacecraft, rockets, guidance systems and other defense systems. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOpportunities">Job Opportunities</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), diminishing funding for NASA will result in fewer job opportunities. But other industries such as commercial and military aircraft manufacturing should continue to provide opportunities for new aeronautic engineers. According to the BLS, between 2021 to 2031, air traffic controllers are expected to see a 1% increase while aircraft mechanics and service technicians are predicted to see a 6% increase in job opportunities. Aerospace engineers are projected to grow by 6% in that same period, per BLS.</p>