Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Colleges: Courses, Eligibility, and Career Scope

Due to the tremendous development in the aviation industry, the requirement for professionals working on the maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modification of aircraft is ever-growing. The perfect course for this field is the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering [AME]. In this 2 to 4-year course, you will study and get the knowledge and skills required to maintain and service Aircraft regularly for safety, efficiency, and airworthiness. Since it is a very technical and specialised course, you must pursue it from globally recognised Aircraft Maintenance Engineering colleges and universities. So, here we are with a list of popular colleges where you can study AME.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Overview 

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering courses are available in different programs such as degree level, diploma or certification, provided by Aircraft Maintenance Engineering colleges in India, which are globally recognised. The licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in India is permitted to work on a global scale. These programs impart to students the core knowledge and practical application of Aircraft Maintenance required to ensure that the aircraft is suitable for safe flight.  AME maintains all mechanical elements such as the engine, airframe, landing gear, fuselage, and so on, as well as avionics parts such as the radar system, electrical system, instrument system, radio, and navigation system, among others.

AME Course Eligibility 

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering colleges in India have specific qualifying requirements that must be met to be admitted. The following are some of the criteria: 

1. Candidate appearing or having completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) with 50% or 3 3-year engineering diploma in mechanical/electrical engineering from any recognised Board or University
2. Candidates who pass the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Entrance Test (AME CET) 2021 will be able to enrol in one of India’s top AME colleges and institutions.

AME Courses in India & their Duration

Pursuing an Aircraft Maintenance course from one of the well-known Aircraft Maintenance Engineering colleges and universities is best suited for individuals planning to work in the Aerospace or Aeronautical industries. There are various professional courses (also called license courses) recognised by the Aviation Law and are designed to develop the knowledge and skills in the maintenance of large and small aircraft. Enlisted are some of the AME courses for you to consider:

S.no	Course Title	Duration
1	BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	3–4 years
2	BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Including Foundation Year)	4 years
3	BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering & Management	3–4 years
4	BEng (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance	3–4 years
5	Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	2.5–3 years
6	Diploma of Engineering Technology in Aeroplane Maintenance	3 years
7	Diploma in Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance (Civil Aircraft)	2–3 years
8	Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical)	2–2.5 years
9	Diploma Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Avionics)	2–2.5 years
10	Aircraft Maintenance Engineer M-License	17–24 months (avg.)
11	Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category S (Structure)	2 years (approx.)

Best Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Colleges in India

India houses many reputed public and private institutes for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Here is the list of some of the most renowned and popular AME colleges that are being approved by GGCA, MOCA and Government of India:

S.No	University/College	Location	Duration of the Course
1	Alpine Institute of Aeronautics	Dehradun	2 years
2	Wingsss College of Aviation Technology	Pune	2 years
3	Indraprasth Institute of Aeronautics	Haryana	2 years
4	JRN Institute of Aviation Technology	Delhi	2 years
5	Bharat Institute of Aeronautics	Bihar	2 years
6	HCAT	Kanyakumari	3 years
7	Western India Institute of Aeronautics	Ahmedabad	2-3 years
8	Indira Institute of Aircraft Engineering	Pune	2 years
9	Institute of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	Aurangabad	2 years
10	College of Aeronautical Engineering	Guwahati	2 years
11	Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy	Hyderabad	2 years
12.	Indian Institute of Aeronautics	Delhi	2 years

Top 5 Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Colleges in India

These are the top five aircraft maintenance engineering colleges you must enrol. Read about the colleges to learn why they stand out. Thereafter you can choose a college that is right for you.

Indian Institute of Aircraft Engineering (IIAE) in New Delhi

The Indian Institute of Aircraft Engineering (IIAE) is considered one of the best aircraft engineering colleges in India. The college is DGCA-approved and offers specialisations in Mechanical (B1.1) and Avionics (B2) streams. You can choose this institute as it is located near the IGI airport and gives high exposure to live aircraft operations. The institute has more than 20 years of experience in aviation education and training. Moreover, they have collaborations with airlines and MROs for job placements and internships.

Wingsss College of Aviation Technology (WCAT) in Pune

WCAT is another popular aircraft engineering college in India. This institude is also DGCA approved and provides specialised training in Mechanical and Avionics categories. They have an industry-aligned syllabus and even have aircraft on campus for real-time maintenance practice! As a student, you will get to participate in tech fests, aviation expos and industry visits. They have a strong placement record with top MROs and airlines.

Indira Institute of Aircraft Engineering in Pune

Indira Institute of Aircraft Engineering (IIAE) is one of the top-notch aircraft engineering maintenance colleges in India. This DGCA-recognised college has good infrastructural facilities and provides training with modern tools. They provide personalised training in small batches. Taking up a course here means you can access well-equipped labs and aircraft systems for real-time training. They also provide internship modules and have an active career cell with links to regional airline companies.

Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy in Hyderabad

This is considered one of the most prestigious institutes for aviation maintenance engineering in South India. The Academy was established in 1995 and provides an AME course along with pilot training. The academy’s aircraft fleet is at times featured in TV shows and documentaries. The institute has 25+years of experience in producing qualified professionals. They even have their own operational aircraft and simulators that is used for training.

Indraprasth Institute of Aeronautics in Gurgaon (Haryana)

Indraprasth Institute of Aeronautics in Gurgaon is a DGCA-approved AME institute.They also offer specialisation in Mechanical (B1.1) stream. Their curriculum is updated and they give access to modern facilities to students. Those enrolled can get hands-on experience with the Boeing and business jet aircraft. The institute is just located minutes away from the Delhi airport. They have experienced faculty from military aviation and other airline backgrounds. 

To learn more about the top Aircraft engineering colleges in India, watch this video:

Top 10 Aircraft Engineering Colleges Abroad

The following are the top ten aircraft engineering colleges abroad. The courses offered in these colleges and the average tuition fees in these institutions are provided for your reference.

S.No	Institution	Aircraft Engineering Course(s) Offered	Tuition Fees (International)
1	University of South Wales (UK)	BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	GBP 16,200 per year
2	Newcastle College University Centre (UK)	Diploma/Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	GBP 9,000–12,000 per year (est.)
3	Nilai University (Malaysia)	Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (2.5 years)	MYR 56,900 total
4	Glyndŵr University, Wrexham (UK)	1-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineering program	GBP 12,000–14,000 per year (est.)
5	University of the Highlands & Islands (UK)	Honours degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	GBP 14,000–16,000 per year (est.)
6	Solihull College & University Centre (UK)	EASA Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	GBP under 10,000 per year (est.)
7	Southern Illinois University Carbondale (USA)	BSc in Aviation Technologies (AME specialisation)	USD 27,000–30,000 per year
8	Universiti Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	Diploma in Aeroplane Maintenance Engineering (3 years)	MYR 25,000–28,000 total
9	Red River College (Canada)	Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (17 months)	CAD 15,745 per year
10	Aviation Australia (Australia)	Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	AUD 18,000–25,000 total
11	Okanagan College (Canada)	Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering	CAD 13,000–16,000 per year (est.)

How to Become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

Do you want to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in India? Follow these steps. The steps below highlight what is required for people in general to start their careers:

1. Clear the 12th standard exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from a recongised university. Alternatively, a 3-year engineering diploma (mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, etc.) is also acceptable.
2. Enrol in a DGCA-approved AME institute. The course duration is typically between 2 to 4 years, depending on the program. You will have the option to choose between two main streams here. For example, Mechanical and Avionics.
3. Clear the series of DGCA module exams based on EASA Part-66 standards.
4. Complete 2 years of on-the-job training with a DGCA-approved airline or Maintenance Repair Organisation (MRO).
5. Apply for the AME License. Category A will certify you as a technician for simple tasks, and Category B1 (Mechanical) or B2 (Avionics)  will certify you as an aircraft maintenance engineer.
6. Thereafter, you can apply for work opportunities with airlines, MROs, defence organisations, and others.

Career Prospects

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and experts graduated from various Aircraft Maintenance Engineering colleges, universities and training centres can benefit from the immense opportunities available in the field of Aviation and Aircraft. Along with ensuring the maintenance of the aircraft system, they also work toward the safety and security of aircraft. Below is a complete list of varied career prospects you can explore in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering:

Employment Area

As an aviation engineer, you can get hired in specific areas. For example, you can get hired in aircraft manufacturing companies. The common employment sectors are provided below:

1. Line Maintenance
2. Aircraft Manufacturing Companies
3. Aircraft Parts Manufacturing Companies
4. Warehousing Companies
5. Aviation Corporations
6. Maintenance, Repair and Overhauls Industries
7. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
8. Engineering Division of the Aviation Sector
9. Technical Publications
10. Private Airlines
11. Flying Clubs and Academies
12. Civil Defence Forces
13. Education and Teaching

Job Prospects

The following are the popular jobs a graduate of an aircraft maintenance engineering college usually takes up.

1. Aircraft Technician
2. Production Planning Engineer
3. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
4. Aircraft Maintenance Avionics Engineer
5. Hardware Design Engineer
6. Graduate Engineer Trainee
7. Lecturer and Professor

FAQs

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re enthusiastic enough to work as a licensed AME, enrol today at one of the best aircraft maintenance engineering colleges or universities. Leverage Edu experts can guide you throughout the process of selecting an ideal program in Aircraft Maintenance to filling up the application forms and sailing towards a career full of spark and away from the ordinary.