The Aeronautical industry is an attractive career path for many Science students. Besides the traditional jobs like pilots, ground staff, and air hostesses jobs, there are also behind-the-scenes jobs. One such well-paid job is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. These are individuals who have an AME certification and also a license from DGCA.
Institutes like the IIAE are some of the top aircraft maintenance engineering colleges in India that offer the AME course. Thousands of hopeful candidates apply to the course after their class 12th examinations. How does one get admission to this course and what are its eligibility criteria? Let us find out more about the AME course.
What is the AME program?
The AME is a short form of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. A short-term course, usually lasting two years, teaches individuals to work in the aeronautics industry. They would primarily be repairing different types of aircraft. These individuals will also work on upgrading and quality control of the aircraft, ensuring they are safe to fly. AME is offered at DGCA-approved institutes across India. Graduates who complete this course get a license to work in this said field that is recognized both internationally and nationally.
Generally, most institutes that offer the AME course have a choice of specialization. For instance, at IIAE, students can choose between the Mechanical or Avionics stream. There is also the choice of one year (category A) of practical training or two years (category B) of practical training after completing the theoretical classes.
AME Program: Eligibility Requirements
The AME program is an undergraduate-level course that has much of the same eligibility requirements as other bachelor’s courses. For AME, in particular, applicants should have completed their class 12th in the Science stream. Each institute that offers these aviation courses after the 12th will have a minimum aggregate score to qualify for admission. Applicants must aim to have at least a 50% score to be eligible to take admitted to top colleges. Moreover, the applicants should have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as subjects during their final school years.
The aircraft maintenance engineering eligibility also talks about candidates who have a prior diploma in AME. Any three-year diploma course, preferably, in a related stream is acceptable for admission. Once an applicant meets all eligibility criteria, the selection process starts.
AME Program: Selection Process
The admissions and selection process for AME is highly selective. Candidates are thoroughly scrutinized before granting admission. There is usually a university-level written test in the first round. Institutes will then release merit lists of candidates who have scored well in the AME CET admission test. Candidates who qualified in the entrance exam are eligible for the next round in the selection process. The entire process is done online including even the document submission.
For international candidates, the eligibility criteria and admission process will differ slightly. One must contact the college authorities in such a case for more details.
Jobs after the AME program
After completing the course, candidates need to attempt DCGA’s examinations in order to get the proper license to work in aircraft engineering. The primary responsibility of an AME degree holder is to repair and maintain the safety standards of aircraft. However, the role can change depending on the company one is working at. Some companies work in aircraft manufacturers, airlines, flying clubs, research and development, aircraft parts manufacture, etc. Here, they primarily would be working in the following capacities.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer:
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is responsible for ensuring airplanes and other aircraft are safe to fly. From basic repairs and quality checks, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer also updates and conducts regular inspections. These individuals are licensed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India. They have an AME degree and thousands of hours of practical training under their belt before they work full-time on a plane. The salary of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is higher as it is such a selective course and one can expect to earn an average pay of around INR 7,80,186 LPA. In terms of range, this Engineer can earn around INR 1,97,000 LPA for freshers to INR 30,00,000 LPA for individuals with over 20 years of experience.
Overhaul Mechanic:
An Overhaul Mechanic is also known as an Overhaul and Repair Mechanic. The Overhaul Mechanic will assemble, repair, and also modify different aircraft. These are professionals with in-depth knowledge of all the individual components of the airplane. Testing and regular inspection are also done as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. After the work of the Overhaul Mechanic is done, they will stamp the necessary papers to proceed to the next steps in the line. Without their signature, the manufacturing process is disrupted. In India, the Overhaul Mechanic also works in the capacity of an Aircraft Mechanic. On average, regardless of the experience of the candidate, the package is INR 3,90,000 LPA.
Line Maintenance Mechanic:
In any part of the maintenance work, there is a process where people are responsible for different tasks. The Line Maintenance Mechanic is a part of this work line. At jobs performed out in the field at hangars, their regular duties include testing, maintenance, and repairs. Some specific duties include looking for defects and leakages and assembling and also replacing parts. All tools within the aircraft are also calibrated to their optimum level to ensure the airplane is safe to fly. The Line Maintenance Mechanics should have knowledge of the national and local guidelines and stick to them to avoid legal repercussions. The salary for this role depends largely on the company one is working at.
Maintenance Manager:
After gaining some experience as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, individuals progress to the role of Maintenance Manager. These are high-ranking positions where they handle a large team of employees. Besides working on aircraft maintenance, they also do administrative tasks. For instance, they will handle salary slips, expenses, budgeting, and assigning tasks and shifts. This is typically a supervisory role with each company having multiple Maintenance Managers. As per online reports, individuals in the capacity of a Maintenance Manager, one can earn in the range of INR 3,58,000 to INR 20,00,000 LPA.
Chief Engineer:
In the Aerospace industry, AMEs who do not wish to progress to administrative roles like the one mentioned above can progress up to the rank of Chief Engineer. They are the heads of the entire Engineering department. All parts of a project from planning to execution and also taking care of costs are done by the Chief Engineer. They also are in constant communication with the top management for regular updates. Recruiters offer Chief Engineers salaries of around INR 18,00,000 LPA.
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course from IIAE is a popular career choice for aeronautics aspirants. This is a hands-on job with plenty of job opportunities in different industries. However, the course has an intensive selection process including a written test. Hopefully, the information mentioned here has been helpful for AME aspirants.
