Eurocopter vs Bell Helicopter

Industry information

Aircraft Manufacturing

Aircraft manufacturing is categorized in the NAICS code 336411. The aircraft manufacturing industry in the United States is made up of corporations that develop and manufacture aircraft prototypes and complete private, commercial, or military aircraft. The industry includes conversions or major modifications to on board systems, as well as aircraft overhauls and rebuilds. Since aircraft manufacturing is an established industry, it also now includes period restoration of aircraft back to the original design. (Cengage Learning, 2013)

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing

Aircraft engine and engine parts manufacturing is categorized in the NAICS code 336412. Aircraft manufacturing is dependent upon the closely related industry of aircraft engine and engine parts manufacturing. Similar to aircraft manufacturing, this industry includes the development of engines and engine parts for prototypes as well as aircraft propulsion system conversion, overhaul, and rebuilding of aircraft propulsion systems. (Cengage Learning, 2013)

Employment Facts

Employment in these industries is mainly comprised of aerospace engineers and operations technicians who operate and maintain the equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft. Computer-based systems for modeling and simulation allow engineers and technicians to work in offices, labs, and in manufacturing facilities. A operations technician’s entry level education starts at the associate degree, but employment can start with a vocational certificate. In the United States the median pay as of 2010 for an aerospace operations technician is $58,080 annually or $27.93 per hour. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook predicts a two percent decrease in overall employment from the years 2010 to 2010. An aerospace engineer entry level education is a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or another field of engineering or science...