Handling aeroplanes
|
Aircraft maintenance engg. courses can be pursued at DGCA-approved institutes
|
In demand: Those who obtain a DGCA licence can look for jobs in airports or aircraft manufacturing and maintenance firms
Those 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.
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 the AME training course. There is no gender discrimination in admission. This training course is rigorous and only few institutes offer training on heavy aircraft and jet engines. The 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 equipment and practical work in machine rooms and on aircraft engines. In the third year the study focuses on specific areas such as light aircraft, heavy aircraft, piston engines, jet engines or helicopters.
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 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. Several institutes offer training and in south India, the following 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
* 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)
Details of more institutions can be obtained from the website www.dgca.nic.in.
Job opportunities
Those who complete the training and obtain DGCA licence get jobs in airports and aircraft manufacturing or maintenance firms. As more and more airlines start operations in the private sector there will be an increase in demand for aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics.
Gopakumar Karakonam
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
