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The differences between flight controls engineers and aerodynamics engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a flight controls engineer and an aerodynamics engineer. Additionally, an aerodynamics engineer has an average salary of $99,629, which is higher than the $99,619 average annual salary of a flight controls engineer.
The top three skills for a flight controls engineer include C++, FAA and flight control systems. The most important skills for an aerodynamics engineer are aerospace, MATLAB, and computational fluid dynamics.
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerodynamics Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,619 | $99,629 |
| Hourly rate | $47.89 | $47.90 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 46,807 | 20,152 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The main task of a flight controls engineer is to monitor the instrument systems of an airplane during the flight. Flight controls engineers communicate with dispatchers, assist the pilot, oversee the fuel, and regulate cabin pressure. They work on the design, state flow testing, and module of the flight control system. Their job includes investigating, recommending, and implementing flight control system solutions. They perform data analysis to ensure compliance with FAA. Also, they provide solutions to issues affecting the operations and developments of flights.
An aerodynamics engineer is an aerodynamics expert who specializes in designing and developing aircraft components and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Among their responsibilities include conducting extensive research and analysis, developing prototypes and test structures, coordinating with experts, obtaining certifications, and complying with all the aviation laws and regulations. They may also gather and analyze data of existing systems and equipment to identify its strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions against problem areas. Moreover, an aerodynamics engineer must perform regular maintenance checks and assessments while maintaining an active communication line with staff.
Flight controls engineers and aerodynamics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerodynamics Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,619 | $99,629 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $130,000 | Between $69,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Gulfstream Aerospace |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a flight controls engineer and an aerodynamics engineer in terms of educational background:
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerodynamics Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between flight controls engineers' and aerodynamics engineers' demographics:
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerodynamics Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.0% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 13.5% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |