Although in many parts of the world they also go by the popular nomenclature of Aeroplane Mechanic in USA or Aircraft Technician in European Union, in India an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is certainly of officer rank. This is especially significant in India as the AME’s are entitled to a high and respectable position from the job designation.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers or technicians accomplish diverse duties related to comprising pre-emptive checks, error rectification if required, installing and removing of aircraft components, ensuring repairs and routine maintenance. In certain cases, they also service electrical and hydraulic parts, such as starters, fuel pumps, and generators.

In fact, they are solely responsible for ultimately passing an aircraft to be flying fit. This enormous responsibility is finally the aspect from which every AME derives the unique respect as they take responsibility for the lives of every flier. While very few Aircraft Maintenance Engineers/technicians learn on the job, AME’s usually had to undergo Aircraft Maintenance Engineering courses comprising both theoretical and practical courses including practical hands-on training.

WHAT MAKES AME’S JOB RESPECTABLE:

No matter what an AME or Technician is called; the returns are commensurate with the position as a high position officer. In the USA the Median Salary is $65,370 for all Aircraft ME’s/Mechanics While in India an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) earns an average salary of Rs 774,830 per year. After 20 years’ experience, most AME’S move to greener pastures at extremely fat paychecks. In both countries, obviously, the earnings are affected by whether or not they work for a major airline, as well as the type of training received. Graduating from a recognized Training school tends to give them a higher starting salary.

Just as pilots are trained and then licensed to fly, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are trained and licensed to maintain the aircraft to industry standard. In both cases, training is of utmost importance including certifications. In the USA, graduates from approved schools are eligible to take the certification examinations given by the FAA. Similar rules exist in India, where DGCA certification is a prerequisite for AME license.

After completion of 10+2 with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Math) and passing an entrance exam, choose aerospace engineering course in a given college. Or you select AME, complete the course in 4 years and enter the job market.

There are two Divisions of maintenance:

• Line duties performed inside aircrafts such as pre-flight checks, refuelling, and minor avionics, electrical and mechanical tasks. This part is responsible for giving the flying-fit certificate.

• Base maintenance in an aircraft hangar, when the offline repairs ensure more elaborate equipment for more stringent checks. The entire gear is available and hence extensive fault diagnosis and repairs can be ensured

a) Under mechanics, the fuselage, engines, landing gear and airframe systems including any associated electrics are maintained.

b) Under avionics, the electrical and electronic systems used for navigation, communications and flight control are checked and repaired.