Aviation analysts are individuals who investigate data related to how companies’ current aircraft function or how well potentially new airplanes will run. These individuals manage this information using computer databases and must have solid mathematical skills. If you seek to become an aviation analyst, you must complete four years of training after high school. Even if your training program does not require you to participate in an internship, you need to gain hands-on experience to increase your chances of successfully finding a job. Earning a graduate school degree will make you even more attractive to employers in this industry.
A person who would like to become an aviation analyst needs to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in an area such as aviation technology. Enrolling in this type of training program requires submission of your most recent standardized test results along with a completed admission form. Your chosen school also will ask to see your high school transcript as well as your high school diploma or the equivalent certification.
Courses on various aspects of airplanes are very helpful for entering this career area. You should study math and science courses such as statistics, calculus, and physics, which will teach you the problem-solving skills that you need to become an aviation analyst. In addition, classes specifically cover aerodynamics — the way that air moves around objects — as well as how aircraft systems function. Your training additionally will prepare you to perform maintenance on airplanes when you become an aviation analyst.
Completing an internship is critical for you to become comfortable with handling real-world scenarios in this industry. You can look for aviation analyst training opportunities at consulting firms that cater to both governments and private sector companies. Working in an office setting will give you the chance to sharpen your skills with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to determine the effectiveness of particular aircraft designs. Managers also might require you to generate reports on the information that you discover as well as pitch ideas to improve airplane safety and performance.
Businesses often prefer job applicants who have master’s degrees in this field as well. An individual should consider completing a two-year master’s degree in this industry, as it will make him or her more competitive when he or she begins searching for jobs. A graduate school degree program often allows you to choose a specialty area to study, such as safety, and focuses on topics such as engineering support and business management. You should be prepared to complete an extensive original research thesis project before you graduate and become an aviation analyst.