Know How to Become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Abroad?

Before an aircraft is ready to fly it has to undergo a mandatory checking process. An aircraft maintenance engineer here comes into the picture. He is responsible for checking the worn-out and non-working parts of the aircraft and also ensuring that the aircraft is ready to fly. However, to perform this activity a candidate requires certain educational qualifications and experience and skills in the respective field. In this article, we will discuss who is an aircraft maintenance engineer, what he, the skills required, educational qualifications, etc.

Also Read: 100+ Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Colleges

Who is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer can be defined as a person responsible for not only checking but also fixing structural, mechanical, and operational issues. He must ensure that the aircraft operates and flies as per the standards set by the aviation department. These individuals have deep knowledge of aircraft engines and instruments. 

Roles & Responsibilities of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Check below what is the day-to-day work of an aircraft maintenance engineer:

• Firstly the engineers should ensure daily maintenance of the assigned aircraft. These include all activities such as dismantling, testing, inspecting, etc.
• The aircraft engineers are responsible for ensuring safety across the assigned aircraft as per the norms and directives of DGCA.
• They are required to take care of company facilities and equipment. This includes ordering different parts and also the supplies.
• Stay updated with new aircraft models and aviation rules, regulations, protocols and procedures.
• They should sign the maintenance certificate before taking off.

Average Salary of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

The average salary according to Indian rupees is ₹64,000 per month. This amount depends on the individual’s skills, experience and employer. There are also chances of earning a higher salary with a higher number of flying hours.

Skills Required to Become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer 

In order to become an aircraft maintenance engineer the individual is required to have the following mentioned skills:

• They should be able to work under pressure and do multiple tasks at a time by keeping the important details in mind.
• Individuals should agree to work flexible hours depending on the circumstances. Work shifts may include weekends as well.
• They must possess good communication skills as they are required to interact with a large number of people. This is important to ensure smooth functioning.
• Aircraft maintenance engineers should have problem-solving skills so that they can handle situations where investigation work is needed and identify the problem smoothly.

Also Read: How to Become an Engineer in India, Salary, Jobs 

Courses for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

Check below the courses for aircraft maintenance engineers:

• Two-Year Program Course – In this program, students are required to go through one year of academic training followed by a year of practical training in MRO organisations, airlines, and other organisations. Students will get a stipend during the training. After completing the course students can apply for a licence which will be approved by the DGCA. 
• Four-Year Program Course – In this program, students will spend two years in academics and two years in practicals. Students will also get a stipend during the training. Licensed engineers will be able to operate in both the public and private sectors in India as well as outside India. The license will be issued by the DGCA. 

How Long does it take to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

The average time required to become an aircraft maintenance engineer is two to four years. However, the faster route is to attend an aircraft maintenance engineering course approved by the DGCA. If the candidate chooses program A it will take 2 years however, if the candidate chooses program B it will take 4 years to complete.

Courses	Country
Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology	Canada
Advanced Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology	Canada
BSc Honours in Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance Systems	UK

Also Read: Career in Aerospace Engineering

Top Universities to Become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Check below the list of top universities to become an aircraft maintenance engineer:

College	Rankings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	97.8
Stanford University	95.1
University of Cambridge	91.8
Harvard University	90.8
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore)	89.6
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	89.4

Why is Aircraft Maintenance Engineering a Licence, not a Degree?

A license is provided for a professional course. Aircraft maintenance engineering is also a professional programme and therefore, requires a license. After getting a licence individuals can earn higher income.  Therefore, professional courses are more valuable than degree courses. 

Are There Any Entrance Exams To Become a Maintenance Engineer Abroad?

You only need entrance exams to become a maintenance engineer in India. For example, you need to clear the AME CET or institute-specific exam. On the other hand, if you are applying for courses abroad. No specific entrance exam is required. Universities abroad do not require you to clear an entrance exam. 

Instead, to become a maintenance engineer (in most countries), you need to complete the necessary training period. After completing your training, you have to clear an exam for a license. 

However, each institution is different. While some schools in Canada may prefer work experience for up to 48 hours. In the UK, they look at your mathematics and physics background, while Australian schools consider both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. In the USA, certain schools may have their tests.

S.No	Country	Entrance Exams	Training Required	Exams for License
1	USA (FAA)	No entrance exams	FAA Part-147 approved school (18–24 months)	FAA: General, Airframe, Powerplant
2	Canada	No entrance exams	Transport Canada-approved program (2–3 years)	Transport Canada AME exams
3	UK (EASA/CAA)	No entrance exams (may have internal)	EASA Part-147 training (2–3 years)	EASA Part-66 modular exams
4	Australia (CASA)	No entrance exams	CASA-approved training program	CASA modular exams
5	New Zealand	No entrance exams	NZCAA-approved program	NZCAA exams
6	UAE / Gulf	No entrance exams	EASA or GCAA-approved training	EASA or GCAA exams
7	Germany / EU	No entrance exams	EASA Part-147 training institutions	EASA Part-66 exams
8	India	Yes – AME CET or institute-specific	DGCA-approved AME colleges	DGCA modular exams + experience

FAQs

This was all the information about how to become an aircraft maintenance engineer. If you also want to explore such a profession and want to know more about the course that will help you become a professional, contact Leverage Edu.