Director, Associate Professor, Dr. sc. ing. Ilmārs Blumbergs
The RTU FMETA Institute of Aeronautics (AERTI) is the only state-funded university in Latvia that offers the possibility of acquiring professions such as an engineer of the mechanics of the technical operation of aircraft, an avionics engineer for the technical operation of aircraft or an engineer for transport systems.
By a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia (1999), Riga Aviation University (RAU) was reorganised and the technical study programmes were included in the programmes of RTU.
In turn, RAU was founded in 1992 on the basis of the Riga Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers (established 1919). There were thousands of students who graduated from that Institute, including students from more than 93 countries (India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Kenya, Ecuador, Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Poland, etc.). Many of them have become the heads of airlines, aviation companies, air transport authorities in many countries around the world. Some became famous aviators and cosmonauts. The high quality of studies enabled several graduates to work successfully in the world's leading powers' aviation industry, aviation research organisations and space centres.
The Aviation Institute (AI) and the Transport Machinery Technology Institute (TTI) was established in RTU in November 1999. In April 2000, AI and TTI were included as part of the Transport and Engineering Faculty (TMF).
The AI was listed in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Training Authorities Register.
According to the decision of the Senate of the RTU, the Aviation Institute and the Transport Machinery Technology Institute were merged with effect from 26 March 2012, establishing a new unit, the Institute of Aeronautics (AERTI), as part of the Transport and Engineering Faculty (TMF), to promote the development and quality of research programmes for aviation transport and transport systems, as well as resource optimisation.
The Institute of Aeronautics continues the implementation of the two joint institutes' study programmes – Aviation Transport and Transport Systems Engineering.
In the perspective of the newly created Institute of Aeronautics, RTU will also offer new study programmes for students whose graduates will be able to operate in a wider range of the labour market: both as researchers in research centres and as engineers – constructors in aircraft and aviation systems manufacturing companies, as engineers in aviation repair companies, as well as aircraft operating engineers at airports and as air logistics specialists in logistics companies, etc.
Aviation is an industry that is rapidly evolving. The Latvian and global labour market has increased demand for qualified and international standards, in line with prepared aviation transport engineers. The RTU is interested in promoting development and creating a major European regional aviation education and research centre in Riga.
While studying at one of the Aviation Departments of the Institute of Aeronautics, students acquire the necessary vocational training for the aviation transport sector and become internationally recognised specialists who can perform technical operations for aircraft equipment, engines and avionics systems, or design aviation techniques, as well as organise and analyse the operation of air transport systems.
Aviation engineers are specialists in mechanics and avionics that perform aircraft maintenance, operation and repairs on the ground . Aircraft flight safety largely depends on their work. Aviation engineers need in-depth knowledge in aerodynamics, aircraft and engine design, radars, navigation, etc.
There are 2 Departments in the Institute of Aeronautics.
Department of Aeronautical Systems and Aircraft Exploitation provides training for all types of aviation specialists, from Bachelor to Doctoral level, including training for foreign students
Department of Maintenance and Design provides studies in the fields operating and repair technologies for transport machines