According to marketresearchfuture.com the global aviation maintenance training market size is tipped to reach a CAGR of 5.80 % between 2021 and 2030.
Imagine e-commerce giant Amazon in the fray to grow the aviation maintenance workforce! Powerful brands do much to highlight the subject and career options such as Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Having partnered with a Part 147 training school, International AeroTech Academy, the tech giant through its Career Choice program, Pathways facilitates employees by covering their tuition fees to train for FAA airframe and powerplant (A&P) certification.
The importance of MRO in aviation cannot be underscored enough. It is ‘Safety First’ above all, and those entrusted with safety are the carriers, aircraft manufacturers, OEMs, and MRO service providers. The role played by both national and international Regulatory bodies is critical to all this. This implies that teams of well-trained and thoroughly supervised AMEs and technicians, qualified and regulator certified, are essential to maintenance repair and overhaul activities for aircraft, helicopters, business jets, and now drones and flying taxis or anything that flies, to keep them safe, accident incident free and the entities rendered airworthy.
The global aviation maintenance training market has witnessed high growth in recent years owing to the rising maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities across the globe and the burgeoning business air travel industry.
An aircraft maintenance training school or organization with EASA Part-147 approval can then go about imparting training on all modules for an aircraft maintenance license. The objective is to have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the training needs and examinations about each of those subjects.
Compliance and adherence to set training standards, procedures, and quality as mandated by national and international authorities is a must for a training entity to gain a PART 147 certificate. In most cases, training programs are audited and must be found bereft of non-conformities.
AME Course Details, Eligibility and Career Opportunities
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course is a certificate program to generate a breed of aircraft maintenance engineers. The course usually 2400 hours duration approximately, consists of both theoretical and practical training on aircraft systems, maintenance procedures, and regulations. On graduation, a fresh off-the-block AME must have the skills and knowledge to pass the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), Govt of India licensing exam, to become certified to practice, and be employed in the maintenance repair, and overhaul industry in aviation. Their chief responsibility is to ensure that assets are safe on the ground, in the air, and most importantly airworthy.
An AME course consists of two parts 1) AME Mechanical – covers topics on structural repair, powerplant, and aircraft systems, whereas, 2) AME Avionics (Electronics) delves into avionics, electrical systems, and instrumentation.
Additionally, the curriculum includes topics on maintenance procedures, safety regulations, and quality control. Armed with an AME certificate, an aspirant can look at employment at airports, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, OEMs, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service providers. This is becoming an increasingly important career choice – as rewarding as is challenging at the same time.
AME specializations include the following streams, to obtain a license; AME Cat – A (Maintenance Certifying Mechanic); AME Cat-A1 (Jet Engine & Aeroplan), AME Cat-A2 (Piston Engine & Aeroplan), AME Cat-A3 (Jet Engine & Helicopter)
AME Cat-A4 (Piston Engine & Helicopter) AME Cat- B (Maintenance Certifying Technician), and AME Cat -C (Base Maintenance Certifying Engineer). The course takes 2 to 3 years to complete. Those eligible to sign up for a course must pass the XII Science stream and 3 years of Engineering Diploma. The candidates must appear for an AME CET (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Entrance Test) an all-India common entrance test, before getting into AME institutes of repute.
Once graduated and certified, an AME can sign up with a potential employer and expect a salary of INR 6 to 10 Lakhs per annum, in India. Some of the positions available to a qualified AME are – Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Aircraft Maintenance Avionics Engineer, Aircraft Technician, Technical Services Engineer, Graduate Engineering Trainee, and Production Planning Engineer.
The IndianDGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) course syllabus is comprehensive and is broken up into Modules 1 to 17, typically covering a range of subjects corresponding with the Module. These are Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Fundamentals, Electronic Fundamentals, Digital Techniques, Electronic Instrument Systems, Materials and Hardware, Maintenance Practices, Basic Aerodynamics, Human Factors, Aviation Legislation, Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems, Piston Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems, Helicopter Aerodynamics, Structures and System, Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and System Propulsion, Gas Turbine Engine, Piston Engine, and Propeller.
The modules may cover both theory and practical classes, and include topics like design and certification, inspection and maintenance, and repair and overhaul procedures. The syllabus is created to give students in-depth knowledge of understanding the use and applications of technologies current and advanced.
The minimum age limit to pursue an AME course is usually 17 years, however, the maximum age limit may vary from institute to institute. Other important requirements are proficiency in English and a level of medical fitness as per the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) guidelines.
Candidates are required to possess good technical and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail, they must be team players, work under extreme pressure given the nature of the job, accurately turn things around, and stick to deadlines.
Job Opportunities for Qualified AMEs In India & Abroad
An AME can start out independently and set upa private maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) workshop or consultancy service. AMEs in India, can find employment in Government jobs like the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Army Aviation, Indian Coast Guard, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Airports Authority of India, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to name a few important employers.Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Defence-related MRO services, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) – a government-funded aerospace research organization. Inspection and Certification work may be performed by AMEs for international regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Since anAME license is valid worldwide, professionals may find work in different locations around the globe. With leading airlines, MROs, and OEMs. In the Middle East, for example, their leading airline companies have hired some of the best Indian talent for AME positions.
Other avenues of employment could be R & D departments of aircraft manufacturing companies, aircraft leasing, and finance firms, and charter companies. Those with a love for teaching can take up teaching Aircraft Maintenance courses at authorized institutes and training schools.
Aspirant AMEs while choosing a good institute, which may be regarded as a centre of excellence, should confidently select one with industry collaborations with top aviation companies. For example, Boeing is in Partnership with the Air Works Group, which in turn imparts technical training; GMR’s newly launched Aviation Academy has a tie-up with Airbus.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) can be a rewarding career given the robust spurt in air travel and with it a growing need for aircraft maintenance engineers, that ensure a high degree of air travel safety and top-notch maintenance of aircraft. While AMEs are required to keep themselves updated with the latest technology and rules, clearing ongoing regulatory exams, for career advancements and attractive pay scales await. Salaries can increase with experience and further education in the field.
When choosing an AME Course institute, an applicant must look out for an institute of repute, with proper accreditation, and that there is availability of practical training and internships.
AME Course is recognized globally, and the license obtained after completing the course is in turn, recognized by aviation regulatory bodies around the world, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India.
There is a high demand for AME Courses in the aviation industry, particularly considering the growing demand for air travel and the need for highly skilled professionals to maintain and repair aircraft.
AME Course offers several advantages over other engineering courses, including specialized training in aircraft maintenance and repair, hands-on experience in a highly technical field, and opportunities for employment in the rapidly growing aviation industry.
The career scope of AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) is very promising, as the aviation industry is growing rapidly and there is a high demand for highly skilled professionals to maintain and repair aircraft. AME graduates can find employment in a range of industries related to aviation, including airlines, aircraft maintenance organizations, defence forces, and aerospace manufacturing companies. They can also consider furthering their education in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
Areas of Specialisation
An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer,performs maintenance and repair work on aircraft, including inspection, troubleshooting, and repairs to mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems.
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians assist aircraft maintenance engineers in performing their tasks as mentioned above.
Aircraft Design Engineer designs and develops aircraft systems and components, including mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems.
An Aerospace Engineer carries out research, designs, and develops aircraft and spacecraft, including propulsion systems, guidance systems, and control systems. An Air Traffic Controller is responsible for controlling the air traffic in each airspace, ensuring that aircraft are separated and follow mandated flight paths ensuring safety.
The career scope of AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) is very promising, as the aviation industry is growing rapidly and there is a high demand for highly skilled professionals to maintain and repair aircraft. This demand is expected to continue going forward, thus providing excellent avenues for AMEs to explore.
AME graduates can find employment in a range of industries related to aviation, aside from airlines, aircraft maintenance organizations, defence forces, and aerospace manufacturing companies. They can also consider further education in Aerospace Engineering or a related field to advance their careers.
Training of AMEs on Advanced Technology
Recently, major companies have been focusing on virtual or digital maintenance training for aircraft with the help of interactive 3D simulations of virtual aircraft models. Thus, as a result, maintenance engineers and the companies they represent learn and train to carry out the inspection and diagnosis of aircraft in real-life scenarios. This area of expertise holds significant potential for the maintenance of aircraft shortly.
Setting a Trend
Again, popularising aircraft maintenance engineering by encouraging their staff to look at different career options is Amazon. According to Tammy Thieman, global director of Career Choice at Amazon, “The expansion of our skills training pathways to include aviation programs like the one with International AeroTech Academy is just one way we are continuing to invest in our team’s education and career aspirations, and help them move into in-demand technical jobs in the communities we operate.”
