The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Demand for aircraft maintenance engineers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Demand for aircraft maintenance engineers

Rasheed Kappan

The arrival of private airline operators has opened a new avenue for qualified jobseekers in the field

BANGALORE: The arrival of several new private airlines in the Indian skies, each competing with the other to boost its aircraft fleet strength, has triggered a demand for aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) in the country. Responding to the pressure from the airliners and students, the Bangalore-based aircraft maintenance engineers training institutes have approached the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to increase their student intake.

To boost the supply side, the low cost airliner, Air Deccan, has proposed to set up a state-of-the-art training centre for aircraft engineers, pilots and cabin crew in the next six months. A centre of this kind is essential for aircraft maintenance engineer students to gain the requisite experience.

In Bangalore, the DGCA has approved the VSM Aerospace in Jakkur Layout and the Hindustan Aviation Academy in Marathahalli as training institutes. Across India, only 36 institutes have the DGCA approval. The training curriculum and facilities of these institutes are required to meet the DGCA's standards. Applicants from such institutes are permitted to appear in Paper I, II and III examinations, after satisfactorily completing curricula of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years respectively.

At the training institutes, on completion of the II Semester (end of 1st year), the student could write the Basic Paper I of the AME License Examination, and at the end of two years for Paper II. After the 5th Semester (2 1/2 years), the student could appear for the Basic Paper III on Airframe/Engine/DR Compass.

Passing the Basic Papers will make it easy for the students to acquire the much-coveted AME License later, according to the Hindustan Aviation Academy officials. They will then need to clear only the specific Paper IV applicable to the type of Airframe/Engine and Avionics Systems on which they have gained the requisite practical maintenance experience, the officials said.

Shortage

The shortage of qualified aircraft engineers is acute. A new private airliner, for instance, had to recruit its entire maintenance staff from outside the country. But the scenario might change with more students spotting the opportunities in the field. Yet, the airlines would have to wait long before the new crop gains the required experience, feel aviation experts.

To ensure safety of aircraft operation, qualified engineers carry out all maintenance, repair, overhauling, and modification work of an aircraft. The DGCA issues Basic Maintenance Engineer's Certificate (BAMEC) and AME's Licence to those candidates who pass the applicable examinations and meet all other requirements

Certificate

BAMEC is a basic certificate, without type rating, which does not entitle its holder to any certification privileges. However, BAMEC is approved to take up certain certification work after undergoing specific training and oral-cum-practical test. Acquiring a BAMEC is necessary to obtain a type rated AME licence for inspection and certification of aircraft, engines or systems. By clearing the I, II and III papers, a student will be eligible for the BAMEC

The BAMEC is issued by DGCA in the following categories: LA - Light Aeroplane; HA- Heavy Aeroplane; RA - Rotary wing aircraft (helicopters); PE - Piston Engines; JE - Jet Engines; ES - Electrical System; IS - Instrument System and RN - Radio Navigation System. The two Bangalore institutes are approved for LA, PE and RN.

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