Aircraft Maintenance Engineering – A serious and responsible career option

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) saves thousands of lives every year by inspecting in detail the aeroplanes for their safety and fly worthiness. An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer has to take in consideration all aspects of a plane, not only before flight takes off the ground but also after the flight. His job is to check the routine maintenance issues and fix them properly. AME’s should boast the attributes like dedicated, devotion and focus towards their job. 

Their job is demanding, as they have to perform their duty under stressful and uncomfortable conditions. There is a lot of difference between Aeronautical Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME). An Aeronautical Engineer has to deal with design and manufacturing of aircrafts whereas Aircraft Maintenance Engineering involves looking after the servicing of aircrafts to maintain their flying worthiness. 

Both men and women can apply for the training course in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. After completing the training program, aspirants have to apply for aircraft maintenance license. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will issue the license to successful candidates. Each license issued is compatible for a particular aircraft. For example if an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer gets a license for maintaining a fighter aeroplane he is authorised for inspecting and maintaining only fighter aeroplanes and only he can certify its fitness.

Career Prospects

With aircraft maintenance training and license, one is able to work with commercial airlines, the government or a military wing or aviation administration. If a candidate has imbibed the training course satisfactorily, his opportunities are endless. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers easily find jobs in aircraft maintenance firms and in airports. Optionally AME course students can also appear and qualify Associate Membership of Aeronautical Society of India or AMAeSI that is equivalent to Bachelor of Engineer, Bachelor of Technology and Aeronautical Engineering. Candidates can land jobs in firm like BHEL, coast guard, DRDO, India Air force, Air India, HAL, UPSC so on and so forth. 

Choose a right institute

Choosing a career in Aircraft maintenance needs a serious thought. An aspirant should have a penchant for repairing and maintaining things. Above all much depends on which training institute chosen for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering training.  One can easily find list of best AME colleges offering training courses in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering on the internet. Aspirants should check whether the concerned college have affiliation with DGCA or not. The candidates who want to seek admission in these institutions should check the past record of accomplishment of the institution. These precautions will go in a long way in the favour the aspirants.

Continuous Expansion of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Institutes

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Institutes in India have been set up with a view to provide good quality training to the students in the field of aerospace industry.  These institutes provide a steam of efficient, knowledgeable, proficient, and skilled engineers to cater to the needs and requirements of the growing demands in the aviation industry. 

Eligibility Criteria for Aircraft Engineers

The aerospace industry is vast and continuously expanding. It is one of the most sought after branches of engineering after the students complete their plus two. The aerospace engineering involves from designing to development, maintenance and testing of the aircrafts, missiles, and satellites. The ever expanding size of the industry not only makes it challenging but also at the same time offers wide scope for growth and expansion in the years to come. 

For candidates seeking admission in the aeronautical engineering must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry and Math or any other similar examination with a minimum 50% aggregate. The candidate must within the 16 to 24 age bracket. The candidates should be physically fit without any kind of physical disability or color blindness.  

Various areas of specialization in this field are Instrumentation and Communication, Design, development and Maintenance, Various airlines, Structural Design, Aerospace Environment, Aircraft Manufacturing Sectors, teaching jobs in Aerospace institutes, and various other production methods.

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is not a degree but a training program. 

Career Opportunities

After the candidate completes the course in aircraft Maintenance Engineering from one of the top AME colleges, the candidate has to get an AME license from the Director General of Civil aviation (DGCA). This license is given on clearing the licensing examination. The DGCA gives a BAMEC (Basic Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Certificate) certifying that the candidate is eligible for a job in the aerospace sector. 

The candidate can look forward to some well paid jobs in the aviation sector. The private airlines like Indigo, Jet airways, Spice Jet along with government airlines like Air India, Indian airlines offer a handsome salary. 

The aerospace industry is expanding manifold both in terms of fleet size and in terms of business. This increases the requirement of competent and good engineers along with a talented technical staff, which in turn is accelerating the scope of job opportunities in the aviation industry. 

Beyond doubt, aircraft engineers have a bright future ahead in Indian and elsewhere in the world. As more and more airlines are making inroads in the private sector, the demand for these engineers is also on a rise. In addition, with growing privatization and foreign associations, the youths have indeed a lot to cherish in the aviation sector. 

AME – The thriving engineers of aviation

Aviation is a rapidly growing industry in India, which has mushroomed heavily as compared to other industries in the recent times. Of the many important sections it comprises, Aircraft maintenance is an inseparable component of this thriving field. All its operations comprise separated categories for the apt maintenance of its complex work.

Aircraft maintenance engineering (AME) involves implementation of operations and inspections. It involves educating the engineers about the examination, analysis and maintenance of aircraft bodies, all of which are intensive processes.

Roles & responsibilities

While pilots ensure safe flying of the aircrafts, maintenance engineers ensure quality examining and servicing of air machines as per the standard Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules. Abiding by the regulations the engineers ensure due safety of the passengers and crew. Among the noteworthy tasks for which the AMEs get apt training include:

• Timely inspection of all the aircraft parts.

• Checking the aircraft for the probable faults and changes before taking off.

• Repairs and overhauls of the aircraft in scheduled hours or cycles.

• Regular servicing and maintenance of the aircrafts on monthly basis or flight cycles.

• Readily available for any urgent need on specific mechanics may happen anytime.

• Regular checking, lubricating and replacing the necessary components of the machines.

• Using specialized tools like power tools, diagnosing machines and other specialized instruments to execute their tasks

• Working on long hours and comprehensive processes, as per the demand of the job

• Strictly abide by the DGCA rules during emergency hours and repairs.

Requirements for the aircraft maintenance engineer

Often termed as aircraft technicians, Maintenance engineers ensure safety of the crew and aircraft. For this, they need to qualify the requirements to pass in this field. A person can choose to enrol in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) after passing a certain level of education. After qualifying the valid education and testing, the engineers get the due license. They need to probe into aircraft parts based on their certification and level of ratings by the DGCA.

Eligibility criteria

• More than 18 years
• Proficient in English
• Education-Plus two with Physics and Maths as background
• Any degree in engineering

Professional requirements

• Completed training as Aircraft maintenance engineer

• DGCA approved certificate

• Practical experience in power plants, aviation sector, etc.

• Valid license from DGCA

Recruitment for the post of engineers takes place in two streams. Based on the complexity of the aircraft, mechanical stream and avionics stream are categorised.

 After getting a successful license from DGCA, one can expect a higher salary package in the aviation stream. The salary starts somewhere from Rs.2 lakhs in India, after successful training of the engineers and keeps on increasing with the experience.

Here is how can you ensure a thriving career in aircraft maintenance engineering

Aviation Industry in India is expanding at a rapid pace. Global business and tourism have become very popular as more and more people are flying to different destinations within the country. Passenger aircraft of different sizes are operating along the various routes. Due to long flying hours, they are prone to break down and require regular maintenance.

Companies into aviation business in India are hiring a large number of technicians to ensure that the aircraft are in proper shape. Unless they get proper certification to fly, the planes cannot take off from the airport. An expert technician will diagnose the problems and perform repair work before the aircraft becomes fly worthy. A career in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is lucrative because technicians not only learn new technologies but also gain experience to handle diverse roles in the aviation sector. If you are looking to make a mark as an engineer, learn the mechanics of the aircraft innovative technology. It is only possible when you enroll into one of the Top AME colleges in India because they not only provide knowledge but also hands-on experience.

How can you get admission?

A student should score more than 50% marks at 10+2 level in physics, chemistry, and mathematics stream. Moreover, the student should be willing to learn and acquire skills to become an effective engineer. You should clear Section A and B exam to become a certified engineer.

Director General of Civil aviation authority conducts the tests and awards license to the students to become certified professionals in the aviation sector. If the student obtains admission in Top AME colleges in India, he can comfortably clear the required exams to become complete professional.

Some institutes make tall claims about the infrastructure facilities in the premises but they fail to meet the requirements of the students. You should conduct extensive research before applying for admission. A reputed institution will provide quality education at affordable price.

Students need to visit the campus and check the facilities for hand on training on the aircraft. Bookish knowledge is not sufficient to hone the skills; therefore, practical training is extremely necessary for the students.

Course content:

The whole course consists of two papers namely A and B as mentioned above. If you are able to clear the paper A quickly, you become basic aircraft maintenance engineer. A student will learn how to handle complex radio instruments, compass systems, and gyroscopic instruments. Moreover, experienced instructors work in reputed institutes and they provide in-depth knowledge about the engine and maintenance of the aircraft. Carving out a successful career in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is like a dream come true for the aspirants, if they pursue the objective with dedication.

Aircraft maintenance engineers – Exhibiting constant pace of growth

Internationally, the industry of aircraft maintenance is huge, and is all ready to expand in India as well. Arguably, India is among the fastest developing nations of the globe. Owing to the liberalization policies of Government, there is massive expansion in civil aviation here. Various private airlines such as Air India, Jet Airways, Air Deccan, and Indian Airlines are operating with extremely good operating revenues. 

In order to cater to the growing requirements of passenger airlines, private airbus operators, cargo aircrafts, and corporate jets, there is an urgent requirement of aircraft maintenance engineers in these airlines. Here is a detailed info on this topic.

Requirement of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

The aviation industry in India is expanding at a faster pace than ever with new and innovative aircrafts coming up with more and more air routes. Feeder lines are turning out to be viable and new operators are launching their airlines frequently. Besides huge network of domestic airlines, numerous international airlines are also operating via India at present. At the time of training session, these airlines provide apt service and maintenance lessons to the candidates to ensure flight safety. 

To be a part of this massively increasing industry as an aircraft maintenance engineer. All you need is to pursue a three-year AME training course from any of the various DGCA (General of Civil Aviation) accredited institutes. This will help you effectively in making a career in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, if you come out as a good student throughout.

The candidates after their Plus Two Exams and 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics can apply for this course. They are eligible for admission in almost any AME Training Institute in India, and there is no sex discrimination during admission either. Since this training course is quite rigorous, only some institutes provide training about heavy aircraft and jet engines. Furthermore, to be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, you have to acquire a license from DGCA. Thus, the AME certification is actually not a degree, rather a specific licensing program for maintenance of aircraft.

Responsibilities of Aircraft Engineers

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are accountable for maintenance, control, and repairing of particular aircraft instrumentation as well as its associated parts. Besides, they also get training as how to set up engine controls and investigate for the accurate functioning. The maintenance of contemporary aircrafts needs extremely high degree of mechanical knowledge, proficiency, capability, and veracity on part of fretful personnel. Usually, aircraft engineers are responsible to design, research, maintain, and manufacture aircrafts. They also work on every minute mechanical detailing aspect of aircraft, incorporating airframes, pneumatics, fuel and engine systems, and communication systems.

Remuneration of Aircraft Engineers

Carving out a career in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is quite impressive in terms of monetary prospects. In most of the airlines, the aircraft engineers get a gross salary of approximately 25,000 to 40,000 per month, which may go up to 1.20 lakhs or more, with experience.

Transform your life with Aeronautical Engineering Admission

Students wish to join aviation sector because flying plane and its technology fascinates them. Cockpit and engine designs are extremely complex and difficult to maintain. If you are interested in aircraft maintenance, you should apply for Aeronautical Engineering Admission in the top college of the country. However, make sure that you are totally fit and intuitive enough as the entry process to this course is tough. 

Eligibility criteria

Aeronautical Engineering requires the candidate has to meet certain eligibility criteria. Aspiring candidates should complete 10+2 with mathematics and science as main subjects. They need to score a minimum of 65% marks in PCM to become eligible for admission. The aspiring aircraft technician should understand the details of the aircraft. Air traffic has increased in recent time due to growth in business. After completing the course, aviation authorities grant the licensee to the students according to the rule 60 of the aircraft rules 1937.

The primary task of the AME is to repair the aircraft, replace the defective components, and carry out all modifications as well as inspections of the machine. Incompetent technicians cannot diagnose the faults and cause accidents mid air. Aircraft maintenance engineering colleges conduct courses under the guidance of extremely experienced and talented faculties. They have rich experience and knowledge of the working of aircraft. Instructors provide hands on training to the students and prepare them to clear the license examination successfully. 

Semesters and subjects

You may opt for Aeronautical Engineering Admission in mechanical or avionics stream depending on preferences. People interested in electronics subject may like to select the latter stream.

A technician certifies the aircraft to fly from source to destination. If experts find any defect in the engine or cockpit, they may not issue clearance. Therefore, the budding technician should have the necessary skill sets to solve the problem and conduct the regular upkeep of the aircraft. Engineers not only learn the basics but also study specialized subjects. They can complete the course in 6 semesters lasting for 3 years. In first semester, the students learn the electrical fundamentals and basics of aerodynamics. Instructors closely work with students to impart knowledge and key aviation concepts. They are building blocks to develop advanced knowledge and the skill sets. Future aircraft technicians also learn the different facets of aviation legislation. They should know the rules and regulations of the work place to avoid legal problems in the near future. 

The second semester incorporates subjects such as electrical fundamentals to understand the internal working of the aircraft. Students should also learn the fundamentals of the material hardware and role of the human factor to maintain the aircraft. 

Roles of an Aeronautical engineer

A top quality aviation engineer is perfectly capable to identify and solve the engine related problems. Institute conducts special courses on gas turbine and piston engines for the students. Trained experts explain in detail the functionalities of the aircraft and how different components work together to fly the machine. They also conduct sessions on the importance of propellers for the airplane and their effects on speed, take off and landing.