Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering or AME is a niche course offered by few institutes, which deals with the maintenance, upgrade and quality assurance of aircrafts. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is a licensed course of four years duration. The AME course is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The licence is also recognized internationally by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The four-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course encompasses two years of theoretical learning and the final two years involve practical training. The AME course teaches about the detailed structure and engineering of an aircraft in terms of its mechanical and electrical aspects. During the last two years of training, the students will get a stipend. 

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course is rigorous in nature and comes with a lot of responsibilities. The curriculum is also a mix of theory and practice and the students also get ample exposure to the aviation industry owing to regular field visits. The AME course is classified into two types. The duration of the first type is two years, wherein students study the first year on the campus and in the second year, they undergo training with airlines or MRO organizations. In the second type, the students study the theoretical aspects for two years on campus and the final two years will be dedicated to practical training. 

After successful completion of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course, the AME licence will be issued by the DGCA. Licensed AMEs can work in government or private organizations of the Aviation sector.

AME Eligibility Criteria 

Engineering aspirants who aim to pursue the AME course must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Candidates should pass 10+2 Board exam with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) or equivalent AICTE approved 3-years engineering diploma in any stream or any higher qualification in science with PCM at the time of admission.
• Candidate must have secured a minimum aggregate of 45% marks in 10+2 in PCM or equivalent.
• Candidates who are eligible for admission in B.Tech Courses are also eligible for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course.
• Candidates' age should be between 16 to 28 years at the time of admission.
• Candidate must not have colour blindness and any physical disabilities.

AME Admission Process

The admission process involves appearing for entrance exams. After qualifying for the entrance test, the candidates will be granted admission to one of the DGCA approved institutes on the basis of their ranks and the counselling process. The entrance exams carry three to four sections, which are Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, General Awareness and English for candidates who have passed 10+2 board exam. 

For the candidates who hold a three-year Diploma in Engineering, the sections of the AME entrance exam are English, General Awareness and Aptitude Test. 

Top AME Entrance Exams

The top AME Entrance Exams are as follows:
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Entrance Test (AME CET)
• All India Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Examination (AIAMEE)

• All India AME Entrance Examination (AIAEE)
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Aptitude Exam (AMECAT)
• Joint Entrance Examination (AME) or JEE-AME
• Indian Aerospace and Engineering Entrance Examination (IAEEE)

AME Core Courses 

The DGCA approved AME course details are given in the table below. The course is divided into 17 modules which are further divided into related topics. Take a look at the table below.

AME Core Courses and Subjects

Module	Subjects
Mathematics	Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry
Physics	Matter, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Wave Motion and Sound
Electrical Fundamentals	Electron Theory, Electrical Terminology, Static Electricity and Conduction, Generation of Electricity, DC Sources of Electricity, DC Circuits, etc.
Electronic Fundamentals	Semiconductors, Printed Circuit Boards, Servomechanisms
Digital Techniques Electronic Instrument System	Electronic Instrument Systems, Numbering Systems, Data Conversion, Data Buses, Logic Circuits, etc.
Materials and Hardware	Aircraft Materials - Ferrous, Aircraft Materials - Non-Ferrous, Aircraft Materials - Composite and Non-Metallic, Corrosion, Fasteners, Pipes & Unions, etc.
Maintenance Practices	Safety Precautions - Aircraft & Workshop, Workshop Practices, Tools, Control Cables, Material Handling, Aircraft Weight & Balance, Aircraft Handling & Storage, etc.
Basic Aerodynamics	Physics of the Atmosphere, Aerodynamics, Theory of Flight, Flight Stability and Dynamics
Human Factors	Human Performance and Limitations, Social Psychology, Physical Environment, Communication, Hazards at Workplace, Human Error, Tasks, etc.
Aviation Legislation	Regulatory Framework, Aircraft Operations, Aircraft Certifications, Safety Management System, Fuel Tank Safety, etc.
Turbine Aeroplane and Aerodynamics, Structure and Systems	Theory of Flight, Airframe Structures, Air Conditioning and Cabin Pressurisation, Instruments/Avionic Systems, etc.
Piston Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and System	Electrical Power, Equipment and Furnishings, Fire Protection, Fuel Systems, Hydraulic Power, Ice and Rain Protection, Landing Gear, etc.
Helicopter Aerodynamics, Structure and System	Flight Control System, Blade Tracking and Vibration Analysis, Airframe Structures, Air Conditioning, Electrical Power, Fire Protection, Fuel Systems, etc.
Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structure and System	Autoflight, Communication/Navigation, Pressurisation, Fire Protection, Fuel System, Cabin System, Information Systems, etc.
Propulsion	Turbine Engines, Engine Indicating Systems, Starting and Ignition Systems
Gas Turbine Engine	Engine Performance, Inlet, Compressors, Combustion Section, Turbine Section, Fuel System, Air System, Turbo-prop engines, Turbo-shaft engines, etc.
Piston Engine	Fundamentals, Engine Performance, Engine Construction, Engine Fuel Systems, Carburettors, Fuel Injection System, Lubricant and Fuel, etc.
Propellor	Propellor Construction, Propellor Pitch Control, Propellor Synchronising, Propellor Ice Protection, Propellor Maintenance, Propellor Storage and Prevention

Skillsets Required for AME

The following skill sets are required for pursuing Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and build a career as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer:

• Observation power
• Proactive approach

• Problem-Solving Capability
• Knowledge of core subjects
• Communication ability 
• Inter-personal skills
• Analytical ability
• Flexibility

Top Colleges Offering AME course

Some of the well-known institutes in India which offer a full-time course in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering are as follows:

• Institute of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Gorakhpur
• Indian Institute of Aeronautics, New Delhi
• Bharat Institute of Aeronautics, Patna
• JRN Institute of Aviation and Technology, New Delhi
• Star Aviation Academy, Gurugram
• Regional Institute of Aviation, Kerala

AME Jobs and Career Opportunities

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are responsible for ensuring a glitch-free and safe flight by certifying that the aircraft is operating in a fully accurate manner. The engineers are also responsible to avert inflight hazards.  They also conduct regular inspection of aircrafts to check the status of functioning of each part and report for problems immediately and also offer solutions and troubleshoot the snags. Before take-off, the Aircraft Maintenance engineers check the aircraft and sign the certificate. 

After obtaining the AME licence, students can expect to get placed in the following industries:

• Airlines
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul companies
• Operation Organizations
• Civil Defence Forces

Top Recruiters for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

• Air India
• IndiGo
• Spice Jet
• Go Air
• Vistara
• Air Asia
• Alliance Air
• Blue Dart 

MRO and other Organizations

• Air India Limited 
• Air Works India
• Arrow Aviation Services
• Blue Dart Aviation Services
• Cochin International Aviation Services

Top Global recruiting Organizations 

• All Nippon
• Cathay Pacific
• Etihad Airways 
• Singapore Airlines
• Japan Airlines

FAQs Regarding Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

Q: Can I do Aircraft Maintenance Engineering after completing 4-years full-time Aviation Engineering?

A: Yes, one can pursue the two-year course on Aircraft Maintenance Engineering instead of the four-year course, after completing B.Tech in Aviation Engineering.

Q: Is it possible to pursue AME in distance learning method or in online mode?

A: No, it is not possible to pursue this program in distance learning or online mode. The program is quite rigorous in nature and heavily practical oriented, which would not be possible to imbibe unless the program is attained in a full-time classroom mode.

Q: How much industry-ready will this course make me?

A: The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering program is a steady mix of theory and practical. The final year/s of the course would be completely practical training based wherein students move out of their campus to obtain hands-on training on the field. This ensures that the students are job-ready from Day 1.

Q: What is the fee structure of the AME courses?

A: The fee of the AME course varies from institute to institute. The total fee ranges from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh.

Q: How do I ensure that I am enrolling into a genuine institute?

A: While shortlisting colleges, candidates have to ensure that the institute is approved and recognized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Without the DGCA approval, the licence would not be considered valid. 

Q: Is AME a degree course or a diploma course?

A: It is neither a degree course nor a diploma course. It is a licencing course, within which after its successful completion, DGCA issues Licence as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. 

Q: How difficult is the entrance exam for the AME course?

A: The difficulty level can be marked as moderate to tough. The questions would be on the subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English and General Awareness. With regular and systematic preparation, it would not be tough to crack the entrance tests for AME.

Q: Do the institutes offering AME program provide placement support as well?

A: Yes, the institutes offer placement support upon the completion of the courses. The placement process is participated by companies across the aviation industry.

Q: What kind of companies recruit Aircraft Maintenance Engineers?

A: The major recruiters include national and international airlines companies, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)companies, aircraft parts manufacturing companies, defence organizations, etc.

Q: What is the average salary of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers?

A: The salary would vary on the basis of factors like rank, years of experience, recruiting company and overall performance. On average, the salary may vary from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 lakh and above.

Q: Are the DGCA approved AME courses recognized internationally as well?

A: Yes, The license is recognized widespread internationally and is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization.