Careers in Aviation Sector | Courses in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering & Airport Management

By Dr. P Krishnakumar

Aviation sector has witnessed rapid growth in recent times. Check out the popular degree courses in Aviation for a bright career.

Airport management is recently becoming an area with huge job potential. The Civil Aviation ministry has projected a requirement of additional airports for metro and tier II cities in the next two decade. Almost all the airports are working beyond their originally designed capacity.

Job ready BBA (Airline & Airport Management) course

The BBA (Airline & Airport Management) is the rarest among the courses today. The course is offered only in some special institutions and the number of outgoing students are very limited.

The above aviation degree programme stand unique from that of conventional BBA degrees as its syllabus covers the present aviation industry requirements. It deals in detail with the airport and airline operations which gives the students an in-depth knowledge of their job description.

Day-to-day operation in managing airport and airlines are taught to students and they are given hands-on-training during their internship at the airports. The problems that plague the aviation industry like raising operation costs, environment, Passenger demands, regulatory issues are given as case studies.

The students of BBA (Airline & Airport Management) are given value-added courses such as IATA certificate course on Airline Customer service approved by International Air Transport Association (IATA), Montreal Canada. Amadeus air ticketing booking software certificate course, Dangerous Goods Regulations certificate course, Aviation Disaster Management and Emergency Rescue operation training are also offered which are highly specialized topics

All these value-added coaching and training, strengthen the employability skills of students to make them industry fit. As a result, the students are employed in Airports and Airline organizations and Ground handling Agencies, not only in India but also in countries abroad. Apart from this, many of them are employed in the Travel and Tourism industry. Some of them have started their own Travel Agency business too.

Highly demanding BSc (Aeronautical Science) & BSc (Aircraft Maintenance Science)

BSc Aeronautical Science and BSc (Aircraft Maintenance Science) courses are totally different from conventional BSc degree courses.

The courses contain tailor-made syllabus to suit pilot training and technical documentation industry. Value-added NDT (Non-destructive testing) courses are also offered in the above courses. The courses provide a rare opportunity to pursue MS in Aerospace/Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. The degree holders are eligible to apply for RTR License and can become an Air traffic controller. All the above scope are available in addition to the opportunities which are available to the general BBA students. The graduates with BSc (Aircraft Maintenance Science) and one-year practical experiences become eligible to write AME License also.

Again, these are practical oriented programmes and the students are well equipped to deal with the ground and air requirements of the aviation industry. The courses are rarely offered and are a much sought out one. This is again a specific and focused job oriented programme imparting a lot of hands-on training to mould the students into a technically rich skilled workforce.

We are proud to mention that many of our students are employed in various airlines as customer service agents, sales executives, baggage handling and security staff through off-campus recruitment even before they complete their degree programmes. Since Aviation Sector witnesses rapid growth in recent times, the students pursuing degree courses in aviation field will have a bright career in future as compared to the students who pursue any ordinary BSc course. These courses offer better career prospects for aspiring students.

The most demanding Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course

The most sought after course Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is a course of 3 years study which is approved by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This course is being offered at select institutions.

BE aeronautical courses are approved by many universities. The university issues the graduation certificates. Attendance and minimum marks for a pass are less compared to the AME course. It is a generalized program where principles, design and other engineering aspects are covered. Focus is more on theoretical studies than practical training. The duration is normally 4 years. Generally, around 60 students are allowed in a classroom.

AME is a practical-oriented program where 40 to 50% of the curriculum is practicals. This is a specific job oriented program focusing on the maintenance and certification of aeroplanes. The program is under the strict surveillance and monitoring of the DGCA. It is a high standard program where a minimum of 75% marks are required for a pass. All the students must have a minimum attendance of 90%. Maximum students permitted in a class are 30 for theory classes and 15 for practical classes. 30% of the practical classes shall be in a live environment on working aeroplanes. All these are regulated by DGCA, Govt of India and not by any university.

On comparison with BE Aeronautical Engineering course, the AME course has the following benefits and widespread job opportunities around the globe.

• AME is a LICENSED course which is provided by the DGCA and this license is used for the maintenance and repair sector in charge of all kind of Aviation – Aircraft field as an engineer.
• This course with license is accepted globally as a course for qualifying and inspecting any kind of Aircraft.
• A BE Aeronautical engineer can design and analyze an Aircraft but and AME certified engineer has the authority to sign that an Aircraft to fly.
• This job is mandatory for all Aviation industry in which every flying of an aircraft should be certified by this license holder with technical knowledge.
• AME course with license holder can work all sectors of Aviation which includes Airports, Components quality inspection, ground technical support etc.
• All pre-flight maintenance should be compulsorily certified by an AME all over the world.
• Every Airline should possess a separate technical team qualified with AME in every Airport.
• When the engagement of BE graduates is optional for any aviation industry the employment of AME graduates is mandatory and no industry can escape employing AME.

Some of the most popular AME entrance tests that an aspirant should appear for 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)

About the author:

Dr. P. Krishnakumar

Dr. P Krishnakumar is the CEO & Secretary of Nehru Group of Institutions, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He completed his PhD in 2003 from Bharathiar University. He is also an MBA from Nehru College of Management, Bharathiar University (1995–98 Batch).