When you start an online engineering degree program, you position yourself for exciting career options–not to mention some extremely interesting engineering courses. Engineers work across most of the employment spectrum, offering their services in design and implementation of solutions that make for a more efficient world. Depending on their specialties, engineers work in high technology, business, finance, science, healthcare, civil engineering and infrastructure, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and the government.Earning an Engineering Degree OnlineStudents who are drawn to the engineering professions are often inquisitive, love to solve problems, and have a keen interest in computers. They like to research solutions, test their findings, and trouble-shoot technology as it is applied. If you don’t think engineering is a diverse field that attracts a wide range of thinkers, consider this: There are 17 different engineering specialties listed in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system maintained by the Federal Government.Admissions requirements and pre-requisites for engineering programs may include previous coursework in mathematics (through calculus), hard science (chemistry, biology, physics), and general education in the liberal arts and humanities.Most engineers find their way into their profession by completing a bachelor’s degree. Online engineering courses at the undergraduate level prepare students with a foundation in physical science, mathematics, and life sciences, while additional engineering courses expose undergrads to a range of disciplines, including:
Aerospace
Agriculture
Biomedical Technology
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Computer Science (Software and Hardware Development)
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mining
Nuclear Technology
Petroleum science
Depending on your chosen discipline, you can also pursue post-graduate work in an applied field within engineering to qualify for management or leadership roles in research or teaching.Engineering Career OutlookThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that engineering employment will grow by 11 percent during the 2006-2016 decade, with a large spike of 21 percent of the new jobs created in the booming field of biomedical engineering. Jobs for environmental engineers also look especially good, according to the BLS, with a 25 percent rise in employment predicted for the 2006-2016 decade.Double-digit employment increases are also predicted for engineers in marine sciences, mining, aerospace, civil engineering, and health and safety professions. Fields in materials, electrical, computer hardware, and chemical engineering should undergo growth, too, but at less than 10 percent over the 2006-2016 decade.Earnings in EngineeringStarting salaries for engineering grads, the BLS reports, are traditionally higher than entry level pay for most other professions. However, most engineers are expected to continue their educations to remain competitive in the workplace as systems and software continues to evolve.Here are the median, 2008 annual earnings for engineers by discipline as reported by the BLS:
Aerospace Engineers, $92,520
Agricultural Engineers, $68,730
Biomedical Engineers, $77,400
Chemical Engineers, $84,680
Civil Engineers, $74,600
Computer Hardware Engineers, $97,400
Electrical Engineers, $82,160
Environmental Engineers, $74,020
Health and Safety Engineers, $72,490
Industrial Engineers, $73,820
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, $74,140
Mechanical Engineers, $74,920
Mining and Geological Engineers, $75,960
Nuclear Engineers, $97,080
Petroleum Engineers, $108,020
Even with slowdowns in the economy, the BLS reports, engineers are indispensable employees within companies, schools, and laboratories, undertaking long-term research and development, making engineering a powerful career choice.  Choose your online engineering courses wisely.

Aircraft modificationThe move now is for aircraft maintenance organisations who have traditionally carried out aircraft modification to STC to seek from the FAA what they term Organisation Designation Approval ODA. After approval, the company receives Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). This designation enables a company to approve design data, tests, and analysis and allows the company to sign an STC on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft alterations. In practice, it is a means of self-certifying their own work.As part of this ODA, a company uses a team of experienced engineers, pilots and other aero industry professionals to provide design and certification services. They can then issue STCs for alterations and modifications on a broad range of aerospace products. These include complete aircraft interiors, aero engine retrofits, airframe modifications, cabin in flight entertainment systems, glass cockpits and other major avionics upgrades.The benefit to the operator of the aircraft is that of saving downtime, because STC certification can now be delivered so much quicker, in from 45 to 60 days. The new ODA is not tied to an FAA Repair Station, and certification work can be done on aircraft in approved facilities anywhere around the world.EASA Part M CAMOThis is echoed by a similar approach in Europe where an EASA Part M continuing airworthiness management organisation CAMO can certify from general aviation through corporate aircraft maintenance to large aircraft and airline fleet requirements. An approved company under EASA Part M Subpart G Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) gets its approval through their national aviation authority, in the UK, CAA. This approval permits an organisation to manage the continuing airworthiness of EASA aircraft ranging from GA through to large aircraft. This work can be carried out independently or through sub-contract support. The CAMO approval includes Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC / Subpart I) privileges and the ability to indirectly approve aircraft maintenance programmes and amendments for customers on behalf of the UK CAA.Supplemental Type Certificates STCsSupplemental Type Certificates (STCs) are documents issued by the Federal Aviation Administration approving a product (aircraft, engine, or propeller) modification. The STC defines the product design change, states how the modification affects the existing type design, and lists serial number effectiveness. It also identifies the certification basis listing specific regulatory compliance for the design change. Information contained in the certification basis is helpful for those applicants proposing subsequent product modifications and evaluating certification basis compatibility with other STC modifications.The FAA denies its new Organisation Designation Approval ODA, could compromise safety standards, but claims the new self-certification process will transform how aircraft interior companies and even aircraft manufacturers like Cessna, Gulfstream and Boeing, go about the all-important business of making sure their products and processes are safe.Although the FAA set up the self-certification programme in 2006, ODA is not an easy thing to obtain. The successful applicant is acting as the FAAs agent, on behalf of the FAA, to issue type certificates and to certify everything from seats, galleys, lavatories and in flight entertainment systems to production, aircraft design and even airworthiness. Gulfstream was the first aircraft manufacturer to win ODA authority. It is seen as a logical step on from existing organisational delegation programmes, optimising those existing programmes. Sometimes, aircraft modification will require structural strengthening of the cabin floor. Engineering teams must design the new configuration and carry out stress and flammability testing of everything that will go on the aircraft, ensuring, for example, that the seats meet the latest 16g requirements and the lavatories meet 9g requirements. As the overall interiors integrator, a company with ODA brings in all the other suppliers, from the seat maker to the IFE provider.In the past, all the data involving the installation process of a new aircraft interior would have to be submitted in stages to the FAA for approval. The FAA has managed this process by using Designated Airworthiness Representatives DARs and Designated Engineering Representatives DERs. These inspectors. appointed by the FAA, may be employees of the company or outside contractors, but they represent the ears and eyes of the FAA Within that company. These representatives of the FAA have the authority to certify particular items and processes as safe on behalf of the agency. Former in-house inspectors are now part of an ODA organisation, and instead of the FAA signing off on the data, its all done in-house.Under the old FAA-managed system delays were common and estimates of when the interiors work might be accomplished or when the customer would be able to return an aircraft to service a stumbling block. An eight-week reduction in a modification project and a week to 10 days in issuing the STC is a significant saving. From an operator’s point of view, the contractor is also more accountable.Equally, for someone in the FAA to go out and inspect a Boeing brake system, for example, when Boeing could do it themselves is in many ways not logical. In practice, operating as a DOA, Boeing could have more FAA audits and more supervisory visits on a recurring basis than ever before.

Through recent decades efforts to decrease the output of dangerous toxins into the atmosphere have made a dramatic improvement. At the same time consideration is also being given to contaminants ending up in the ground water and soil which ultimately affects both animal and plant life.There are significant advantages for industries to make the transition to the more eco friendly bio degreasers. Probably the most important consideration is the overall safety in using bio based solvents not only to the environment but also to the workers using them. Non organic cleaners and degreasers are typically composed of hazardous chemicals or are petroleum based solvents which are highly combustible.A significant advantage of organic degreasers is that they are designed to remove insoluble substances. Environmentally friendly substances do not contain ozone depleting chemicals. They are less harmful to humans as well as being non corrosive. In addition high performance characteristics can be achieved due to the lack of residue after cleaning.The current trend is for companies to utilize more eco friendly degreasers and cleaners. An industry leading in the use of degreasers and solvents is in aerospace. When you consider the level of cleanliness required, there are many mechanical parts, as well as electrical parts within the aerospace products which would benefit from not being exposed to such corrosive chemicals.On the surface level it would appear that the use of conventional commercial degreasers and solvents would be considerably less expensive than the environmentally friendly counterpart. The components are not that involved or engineered and don’t fall under the same regulations as bio based solvents. However, to balance out the equation, the disposal of organic cleaning substances is less involved and easier to handle and dispose.As for the effectiveness of organic degreasers vs. the conventional hazardous, may still be in the earlier stages of development and effectiveness. The processes involved in utilizing organic solvents may be specialized in their usage and applications which could greater add to the cost effectiveness. Whereas a chemical solvent’s uses may be more versatile in being able to accomplish multiple cleaning jobs with one solvent. The other side of the equation is the consideration in using biodegradable degreasers is that safe storage and temperature control are not significant factors. Not to mention no longer requiring the level of safety equipment in the application of the bio based substances or the issues involved with the disposal of waste from the chemicals.Considering the ongoing trend is to continue going green more development of even more effective green cleaners will follow. As the popularity, usage, and demands grow not only will improved organic products be developed and available, but also the pricing and overall usage should become more cost effective. Products currently exist that have been specially developed to breakthrough greasy grime and with time will only become even more effective. Who knows, the lubricants causing the grime are being developed as well to be eco friendly and better for the environment as they break down from cleaning. Regardless, going green and using biodegradable products creates a win-win situation for all involved.