With the opening of the skies and the consequent surge of the aviation industry the need for qualified aeronautical engineers is being largely felt all over the country. To meet this demand, the Khaja Bandenawaz College of Engineering (KBN) in Gulbarga came out with the unique idea of launching a degree course in aeronautical engineering in the year 2006. KNB is the only other college in the State to offer this course after the VSM Aerospace and Hindustan Electronics Academy of Bangalore.

The Khaja Banda Nawaz College of Engineering is a minority institution established in the year 1980. College Principal Dr Rafiq Ahmed says president of Khaja Bandenawaz Education Society President Syed Shah Khusro Hussaini was the brains behind starting the course.

The intake for the course is 30. To be eligible for admission, the students should have passed the two year pre university examination conducted by the Karnataka State Pre University Board or any other examination recognised by the university as equivalent to it. Apart from education qualification an aeronautical engineering student needs to be physically fit and fully dedicated to his work. One needs to be alert, have an eye for detail and should have a high level of mathematical precision to be successful in the field. The total expenditure required for completion of the course is approximately Rs 2 lakh.

Up to the fourth semester the students would study the general syllabus of the mechanical engineering course. The real study of aeronautics begins from the fifth semester. One of the most challenging fields of engineering with a wide scope for growth, the aeronautical engineering course focuses on dynamics of machines, elements of aeronautics, aircraft structures, aerospace transportation systems, numerical methods, aircraft materials, flight dynamics and controls, helicopter dynamics, aircraft fluid dynamics, flight vehicle design, aircraft safety rules and regulations, development of new technology in the field of aviation, space exploration and defence systems.
It specialises in designing, construction, development, testing, operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts and their components as well as satellites and missiles.

With the intention to make the student well versed in the subject, the college has decided to purchase an aircraft. A proposal in this regard has been submitted to the Defence Ministry and the aircraft would be brought to the college by September this year.

The college has also approached the Hyderabad airport authorities to hold one month internship training in the airport. The college has also plans to set up a lab for conducting practicals. Instruments and machines worth Rs 30 lakh have already been ordered for the purpose.

Job opportunities

The students would get 100 per cent placement after completion of the course. Already some of the institutions have started approaching the college for campus interviews.

Dr Rafiq says jobs for an Aeronautical Engineer in India lie with various airlines like Air India, Indian Airlines, Helicopter Corporation of India and flying clubs, private airlines and government owned air service and aircraft manufacturers like the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) with its factories at Bangalore, Nashik and Kanpur, Defence Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab (NAL), Aeronautical Development Establishment and Civil Aviation Department. The Defence services and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also happen to be two major employers.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COURSE

Only college to offer aeronautical engineering course in North Karnataka.
Intake for the course is 30 seats.
The Defence Ministry has given consent to purchase an aircraft
Rs 30 lakh worth lab for students.
Students to undergo training in Hyderabad airport.
100 per cent placement for students.