How to become a Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers certify that aircraft are safe to fly — a licensed, hands-on aviation career distinct from flying and from B.Tech engineering.
Eligibility at a glance
For India (India). Conditions marked "Not required" genuinely do not apply.
Minimum education
Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics for the AME programme.
School subjects
PCM
Degree / diploma
DGCA-approved AME training programme (per current CAR framework) — not a conventional degree; licence is the credential
Graduation required
Not required
Minimum marks
Per DGCA-approved institute norms (commonly 50% in PCM) — verify(may change — verify at the official source)
Minimum age
Not required
Maximum age
Not required
Age relaxation
Not required
Nationality
Not required
Physical requirements
Not required
Medical requirements
Medical standards apply per DGCA requirements for licence holders
Gender-specific rules
Not required
Number of attempts
Per DGCA paper attempt rules(may change — verify at the official source)
- · Must complete approved training including live aircraft practicals
- · Module examinations under DGCA's CAR-66 framework — verify current structure
The path, step by step
The standard entry route. Alternative routes are listed under Education paths below.
Class 12 with PCM
DGCA-approved AME institute admission
AME training with practicals (2–4 years)
CAR-66 module examinations
AME licence (B1/B2 as per stream)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in airline/MRO
What this career actually is
An AME maintains, inspects and certifies aircraft airworthiness. Training is DGCA-approved institute-based (2–4 years, including practical on live aircraft) followed by licence examinations (B1 mechanical/B2 avionics streams). Licensed AMEs are legally required for every aircraft release-to-service.
A typical day
- · Carrying out scheduled maintenance checks (A, C checks etc.)
- · Troubleshooting defects per manuals
- · Certifying work done under licence privileges
- · Maintaining technical logs and airworthiness directives
Main responsibilities
- · Certify airworthiness honestly — lives depend on your signature
- · Follow maintenance manuals exactly
- · Report and rectify defects within regulations
- · Keep licence privileges current
Work environment
Airline hangars, MRO facilities, airports — shift work including nights, aircraft-scale tools and strict procedure discipline.
Who this suits
- · Hands-on people fascinated by aircraft
- · Detail-perfect rule followers
- · Students who want aviation without the pilot's medical/finances
How long the path takes
Roughly 4–6 years after Class 12 from the point the path begins.
Class 12 PCM
2 years
AME training
2–4 years
Module exams + licence
parallel/after
Licensed engineer career
ongoing
Timelines vary — few people follow the exact same schedule. Treat this as a map, not a schedule.
What to study — complete checklist
Tick topics as you learn them. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
Skills required
Qualifications get you in; these keep you there.
Technical skills
- Aircraft systems (airframe/engines or avionics)
- Use of maintenance manuals
- Troubleshooting method
Practical skills
- Tool discipline
- Working to checklists
- Night-shift hangar routines
Communication skills
- Precise written certification
- Coordinating with flight crews
Physical skills
- Comfort at heights and in confined bays
Tools & software
- Specialised aviation tooling
- Borescopes
- Technical manuals
Languages
- English technical documentation
Certifications
- The AME licence (B1/B2) is the entire career gate
- Type training per aircraft adds privileges
Education paths
Every major route into this career — including routes that skip a degree where they exist.
AME licence route
Typical duration: 2–4 years- Class 12 PCM
- DGCA-approved AME institute
- Module exams
- Basic licence
- Aircraft-type training
- Licensed engineer
B.Tech + lateral AME
Typical duration: varies- Aeronautical B.Tech graduates can pursue module routes per DGCA rules — verify eligibility
Is college compulsory? Yes — the recognised paths run through college.
Without a degree: The AME programme itself is the qualification — it is institute training, not a university degree, but it is the legal path to the licence.
Entrance exams: Institute-level admission processes; DGCA module exams
Career progression
How roles typically advance. Alternative branches shown where the path forks.
- Trainee Technician
- Certifying Staff (after licence)
- Senior Certifying Engineer
- Maintenance Manager / Quality Manager
Where the jobs are
Earning potential
Broad ranges only — pay is never guaranteed and varies hugely by employer, city and seniority.
| Entry level | Broadly ₹2.5–6 lakh per year as trainee/technician |
|---|---|
| Mid-career | Broadly ₹6–15 lakh per year for licensed engineers |
| Experienced | Higher in managerial and MRO roles |
Pay improves sharply after the licence — the licence is the lever, verify current norms.
What you are up against
An honest picture of competition and effort — no fake difficulty scores.
Competition
Moderate at entry; institute choice matters enormously
Study load
Dense module-based study
Selectivity
Institute approvals vary — verify DGCA approval status before admission
Major challenges
- · Choosing an approved, well-equipped institute
- · Module exam persistence
Time commitment
2–4 years
What candidates commonly struggle with
- · Module exams
- · Practical sign-offs
Documents you will need
Commonly required for applications and admissions. Exact requirements are set by each authority — always check the official notice.
- ✓ Aadhaar card or other government photo ID
- ✓ Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and certificates
- ✓ Recent passport-size photographs
- ✓ Scanned signature (as per the notified size and format)
Recommended Books
Recommended Books
Book recommendations are being curated.
Checked for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) — nothing is listed until it is genuinely recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Is AME a degree?
It is a licence-based training programme approved by DGCA, not a university degree — but the licence, not a degree, is what airlines require.
Can girls become AMEs?
Yes — the field is open to all genders and airlines actively hire women engineers.
AME vs aeronautical engineering?
AME is hands-on certification to release aircraft to service; aeronautical B.Tech is design-oriented engineering. Different careers sharing an industry.
How do I check an institute is genuine?
Verify the DGCA approval list on the DGCA website before paying any fee — unapproved institutes are the sector's classic trap.
Can I enter this career after Class 10?
Not directly. The standard entry path starts later — see the roadmap above for where it actually begins.
Can I enter this career after Class 12?
Yes — Class 12 is a genuine entry point for this career. Look at the education routes and roadmap for the exact next step.
Which stream should I choose in Class 11–12?
Choose subjects covering: PCM.
Is a degree compulsory?
No — this career can be entered without a degree. The AME programme itself is the qualification — it is institute training, not a university degree, but it is the legal path to the licence.
What is the age limit?
There is no fixed age limit for the standard entry path. Where a specific exam or employer applies one, it is listed in that exam's or employer's own rules — always verify from the official source.
Is there an entrance exam?
Not a single mandatory one. Entry depends on recruitment processes and, where applicable, written tests conducted by the employer.
How long does it usually take?
Roughly 4–6 years after Class 12, counting from the point where the path begins. Timelines vary — people repeat years, switch routes and start at different points, so treat this as a map, not a schedule.