Future of Aviation industry in Sri Lanka

 

Flying in the sky was a big dream of the human being throughout the globe in the past and different nations tried in several ways to achieve success but failed. According to the legend of Ravana’Dandumoneraya’ might be the world’s first Aeroplane which transported people, thousands of years before the Wright brother's invention. Therefore, we had a great history in constructing airplanes.With the growing trend of searching for Ravanalegend among public research, if we will be able to prove the history, we can claim that we are the pioneer of the aeronautical field.

A long time after the Ravana era, the past 2-3 decades, there was the isolated effort of manufacturing airplanes in Sri Lanka and most of these were confined to the research level. In addition, there have been few aviation schools dedicated to aircraft maintenance courses. Although the term Aeronautical Engineering is new to Sri Lankan society, it is growing in-line with the country’s expanding air transport sector, as well as the increase in industry-related professionals. Amongst all the courses in engineering, aeronautical engineering is a niche field and is only available in a few reputed universities in the world.

As a result of the high demand for aeronautical engineering courses, for the first time in the state university sector, the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Moratuwa added “Aviation” to the B.Sc. Engineering degree program.  Our Aeronautical Engineering Stream provides a solid foundation in mechanical engineering, leading to specialization in aeronautical engineering. Aeronautical Engineering is a branch of aerospace engineering that deals with the study and creation of advanced technologies in the field of aviation, defense systems, and space technology. This course prepares you for designing, development, testing, maintenance, and operation of commercial airplanes, military aircraft, and their components. Although aeronautical engineers generally don’t fly aircraft, they certainly have a huge contribution to the field of aviation.

This course not only produced young aeronautical engineers to serve the country but also show their colors internationally gaining pride in the country. At present the first batch of ten undergraduate students will participate in international aeronautical competitions in the UK showing that their knowledge and skills are hands in hand with other international graduates.

Aeronautical engineering has become a highly paid and prestigious career option. Although the salary of most aeronautical engineers depends on their academic excellence and individual skills, the average beginners’ pay in this field is much higher than in other engineering fields. There is a huge need for aeronautical engineers in airlines, aircraft manufacturing units, aero-engine production plants, and design development programs for the aviation industry. In fact, there are immense opportunities for those who wish to work abroad.

Moreover, we are hoping to get the knowledge and practical skills from world-recognized experts in aeronautical industries such as Airbus, Boeing, and other aeronautical related industry with the aim of manufacturing airplanes within Sri Lanka in near future. Currently, we are in close collaboration with Sri Lankan Air Force, Sri Lankan Airlines and other aeronautical related industries to fulfill the above aim. University of Moratuwa has already established a research center in Homagema and this center carter and provide facilities and experts to make true of this. Furthermore, the university hopes to give hand those who need to enhance their researches on aeronautical field with expert guidance.Other university students especially who interest in aeronautical fields especially postgraduate level can join with us.

It is no longer a dream of manufacturing our own aircraft within Sri Lanka.  At present Sri Lanka is already in the process of making simultaneous improvement on the following aspects such as,   Development of aviation infrastructure, Airline fleet modernization, and expansion, improving local and international aviation affairs and Expanding and improving aviation-related functions and activities. I would like to mention that, with all these planning efforts and achievements, Sri Lanka is highly ambitious in regaining our pride in aeronautical fields near the future.

Dr Nirosh Jayaweera.

The writer is a Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He earned his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK, in 2006. He is a registered Chartered Engineer in the UK and a Senior Member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, USA. He can be contacted via niroshj@uom.lk