Q & A
In demand: Those who obtain a DGCA licence can look for jobs in airports or aircraft manufacturing and maintenance firms
I have completed 12th standard and would like pursue a course in aircraft maintenance engineering. Kindly let me know about the institutions that provide courses on this subject. What are the job opportunities after the course?
GREESHMA G.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Aspirants who wish to work in the aviation industry can study aerospace or aeronautical engineering at the B.Tech. level or study aircraft maintenance engineering. Aeronautical or aerospace engineering deals with design and manufacture of aircraft while AME trains one for servicing the aircraft. In the aviation industry, aeronautical engineers, aircraft maintenance engineers and pilots are indispensable though their duties are different. The industry has three main areas—aircraft design and manufacturing, maintenance, and flying.
Aeronautical or aerospace engineering involves the application of engineering principles and technical know-how to design, construct and operate an aircraft.
Aircraft maintenance engineers are responsible for keeping aircraft in perfect flying condition. They are involved with the repair and maintenance of aircraft.
Four-year B.Tech. and five-year M.Tech. dual degree programmes are available in aerospace or aeronautical engineering for Plus Two students with mathematics, physics, chemistry, biotechnology or computer science or biology.
AME
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) is not a degree course, but a training programme. On completion of the programme a licence is issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). During the training, lessons are imparted for servicing and maintenance of aircraft to ensure flight safety.
A three-year aircraft maintenance engineering licence training course is being offered by several institutes approved by the DGCA.
Those who have passed the Plus Two examination with 50 per cent marks in aggregate in physics, chemistry and mathematics or a three-year diploma course in any branch of engineering or B.Sc. after Plus Two with maths, physics and chemistry are eligible for admission to AME training course. There is no gender discrimination in admission. Boys and girls can seek admission. This training course is rigorous and only few institutes offer training on heavy aircraft and jet engines. Total training cost will be around Rs.1.5 lakh.
The first year of AME training course provides basic information about aircraft rules and regulations. In the second year, students learn general engineering and maintenance. The subjects taught include aerodynamics or theory of flight, metallurgy, electronics, handling sophisticated equipments and practical work in machine rooms and on aircraft engines. In the third year the study focuses on specific areas like light aircraft, heavy aircraft, piston engines, jet engines or helicopters.
Apart from this, trainees are required to undergo structured aircraft type courses in mechanical or avionics stream. After successful completion of the training programme, the trainees will get a Basic Aircraft Maintenance Training Certificate. This is followed by an examination conducted by the DGCA.
Those who qualify the exam will be awarded a licence to service aircraft. The three-year training is sufficient for appearing for the aircraft maintenance licensing examinations. After getting the DGCA-AME licence, one is required to obtain regulatory licence or approval on a type of aircraft. If it is an Airbus or Boeing, one has to obtain an individual licence to service that particular type of aircraft. Aircraft maintenance engineers are authorised to inspect the aircraft and certify its fitness.
Training facilities
Aircraft maintenance engineering courses can be pursued at the DGCA-approved institutes. In India several institutes offer training and in south India, the following institutes offer AME training. DGCA approval of the institutes should be ensured before admission.
•VSM Aerospace, Jakkur Layout, Bangalore
•Hindustan Aviation Academy, Chinnappanahally, Bangalore – 560037
•Fly Tech Aviation Academy, Maredpally West, Hyderabad (AP)
•Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology, GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai – 600016.
•Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Bowenpally, Secunderabad- 500011 (AP)
•Nehru College of Aeronautics and Applied Science, Kuniamuthur, Coimbatore- 641008.
•Institute of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Old Airport Road, Gautam Nagar, Secunderbad (AP)
•Hyderabad College of Aviation Technology, Hyder Nagar, Hyderabad
•Academy of Aviation and Engineering, Bangalore – 562157
•Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy, Old Airport, Hyderabad- 500011
•Sigma Aviation Academy, West Maredpally, Secunderabad – 500025
•Southern College of Engineering and Technology, Chalakudy, Kerala-– 680307
•Sha-Shib Aviation Academy, Nedumbassery, Cochin – 683572
•Regional Institute of Aviation, West Fort, Subash Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram – 695008
•Coimbatore Aeronautical College, Coimbatore
•Vinayaka Mission Aviation Academy, Salem – 636308 (subject to approval from DGCA)
This list is only indicative. Details of more institutions can be obtained from the web site www.dgca.nic.in.
Job opportunities
Those who successfully complete the training and obtain DGCA’s licence are eligible to get jobs in airports and aircraft manufacturing or maintenance firms with an attractive salary.
As more and more airlines start operations in the private sector there will be an increase in demand for aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics.
I have completed my B.tech. in mechanical engineering and would like to get trained as a marine engineer. Kindly let me know about the training facilities available in India.
DILEEP KUMAR, EMAIL
Graduates in mechanical engineering can join as engine cadet/marine engineer/navigating officer after undergoing a basic pre-sea training or studying marine engineering or nautical science courses.
The Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), Hay Bunder Road, Mumbai – 400033, offers a one-year pre-sea training course through direct admission. BE or B.Tech. degree holders in mechanical engineering or naval architecture with at least 50 per cent marks are eligible for admission. Age limit is 24. The course fee is around Rs.2 lakh.
The Marine Engineering Training Institute under the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. offers one-year pre-sea training for engineering graduates with at least 65 per cent marks in mechanical or naval architecture.
The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Mumbai, provides training for meritorious mechanical or naval architecture graduates to qualify as trainee marine engineers ( www.dgshipping.com).
International Maritime Training Centre, Powai, Mumbai, provides opportunities for BE or B.Tech. (mechanical or naval architecture) holders to become trainee marine engineers.
Vels Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Chennai-600117 provides one-year pre-sea training for graduates in mechanical engineering or naval architecture with at least 50 per cent marks. Selection is through test and interview ( www.velsmaritime.com)
The Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies offers graduate marine engineers’ course for meritorious engineering graduates in mechanical or naval architecture.
Before enrolling in a private institute, one should ensure that it is recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping. The list of recognised institutes can be obtained from the web site www.dgshipping.com.
GOPAKUMAR KARAKONAM
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