What kind of code would I need to learn to be a software developer in the aviation industry?
I'm just now starting to learn how to code, so I'm wondering what language I would need to learn in order to get a job as an engineer at a company like Cathay Pacific. This question was posted by a CareerVillage administrator on behalf of the students of CareerVillage. #aviation #airline-industry #airport-security #tsa
2 answers
Andrei’s Answer
Hello Derek,
First, I have to give you a disclaimer, I am not a computer guru, so my advice will be very general. Steve, above, stated very well that coding is coding and will apply to very many things.
Engineering, to me, means designing and coming up with something new. Aviation industry is a huge and very diverse thing.
Cathay Pacific is an airline, now most airlines may have some internally developed programs, but most are probably going to be generic off the shelf programs. Airlines have a lot of equipment and various assets which need to be tracked, so I don't see a great amount of engineering there. They are not building something new, but rather just operating equipment.
Manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, Garmin, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, etc, etc are in the business of designing and building new things. Everything on the newer planes are computerized. The lavatory, entertainment system, galley, engines, navigation, flight control systems, all have computers, but don't necessarily talk to each other. Each company will have their own individual programs and computer languages, but the coding may be very similar. Each different system will be looking for different inputs, and base on a set program, will give an output.
The other thing to keep in mind, is that designing and building an aircraft takes a long time. This means that even if an aircraft rolls off the assembly line today, its probably using the best technology from 10 years ago. In aviation, because there are people lives at risk, they tend to go with tried and true technology that has been tested and proven over years.
My advice to you is to try to focus on what aspect of aviation appeals to you most, and do some more research on that. This will help you narrow down your field, and find a clear path.
Good luck
Steve Lewis
Steve’s Answer
Once you know how to code, you can work in any industry. But, I'd first try to learn the common languages like Java or C# first. Then, you can work toward more of a specialization in that area. For example, embedded systems that run on Java or other languages. Once you know the solid concepts of object oriented languages, you will have an easier time learning any new language!
Good luck!!