The Difference between AME and Aeronautical Engineering

ByManali

Dec 8, 2022

Engineering is the pillar of any creation. The basic knowledge of craft and mechanics, to build or create even the smallest thing is a must.

Among many other branches that engineering dispenses, two of them are related to the working and corroding of aircraft, helicopters, drones and missiles i.e., Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) and Aeronautical Engineering.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering offers a curriculum where the students are eligible to check, maintain and verify the workings of aircraft before or after the flights whereas Aeronautical Engineering is a study of designing and developing the aircraft.

Indian Institute of Aircraft Maintenance (IIAE) offers the best aviation courses in India. The institute is approved by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)-a statutory government body which regulates civil aviation. IIAE, Dwarka, Delhi specializes in educating students with top-notch Aircraft Maintenance Engineering courses and their pass-out aircraft maintenance engineers are sought out by Air India, SpiceJet, Indigo and many more top airline companies.

Needless to say, if you are looking for the best Aircraft Maintenance Engineering colleges in India, do check IIAE, Dwarka, Delhi.

Table of Contents

  • Course Curriculum
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Fees
  • Career opportunities.
  • Salary

Course Curriculum: –

AME-

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course is the study of keeping the aircraft in perfect, safe flying conditions. Mostly aircraft maintenance engineers work on existing or repairing the aircraft. The aircraft maintenance engineer course has a vast syllabus that can be covered with the help of IIAE, Dwarka, Delhi professionals. 

 The course duration is a four-year program and it is preferred if you choose a college which is DGCA-approved aircraft maintenance engineer college, similar to IIAE, Dwarka, Delhi.

Students have to undergo six semesters where they will have to study both practical and theoretical subjects. The course is distinguished into two parts-

1. Mechanics

2. Avionics.

During the final year of the AME course, students will get a chance to get training on various aircraft and their maintenance. 

Core subjects taught in the AME course are-

  • Materials & Hardware
  • Electronic Fundamentals
  • Maintenance Practices
  • Physics
  • Basic Aerodynamics
  • Gas Turbine Engine
  • Piston Engine
  • Helicopter aerodynamics, structures, and systems

Aeronautical Engineering-

Aeronautical Engineering is deep-dive knowledge of how to construct and build aircraft. For B Eng the course duration is four years and there are many colleges which provide aeronautical engineering degrees. Respectively, one can go for a diploma or PHD or master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. The core subjects, one is likely to study in Aeronautical Engineering are-

  • Propulsion
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Aircraft Performance
  • Material Science
  • Compressible Fluid Flow
  • Automatic control and guidance
  • Aircraft structures

Eligibility criteria: –

The criteria are somewhat similar for both fields.

For Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), students should be

  1. The 12th pass with physics, chemistry and mathematics as his/her subjects.
  2. Candidates must appear in the AIAEE and clear it with the desirable rank.
  1. Should be 16+yrs of age
  2. Students should pass general medical and colour blindness tests.

         To become Aeronautical Engineer, students should be

  1. A good rank in JEE Mains and JEE advanced (Although clearing JEE is not compulsory for some colleges)
  2. The minimum aggregate score of 70-75% in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics

Fees: –

Fee estimation for both the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course and Aeronautical Engineering depends on the institution or college you are opting for. But to put it in a box, approximate fees for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering are 3 to 6 Lakhs and for Aeronautical Engineering is approx.  3 lakhs to 10 lakhs.

Career opportunities

Both fields open up a broad spectrum of opportunities for students but let’s look into more details: –

  • Career options for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Airline companies will always be in need of good aircraft maintenance engineers. Other sectors or fields wherein you can put in your knowledge are-

  • Maintenance, Repair and Overhauls (MRO) industries
  • Flying Clubs
  • Aircraft Operation Organizations
  • Aviation Training Centres
  • Civil Defence Forces
  • Aircraft Manufacturing Companies
  • Aircraft Part Manufacturing Companies

AME has not only career scope in India, but global companies are also employing them. Here are some global leading airlines recruiting AME-

  • Cathay Pacific.
  • Nippon Airways.
  • Singapore Airlines.
  • Etihad Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Korean Air.
  • Japan Airlines

Best AME Recruiting National Companies: –    

  • Air India
  • Jet Airways
  • IndiGo
  • SpiceJet
  • Air India Limited
  • Air Works India (Engineering) Pvt Ltd
  • Blue Dart Aviation Limited
  • Deccan Aviation
  • GoAir
  • AirAsia India
  • Vistara
  • TajAir and many other companies.

One more factor to consider while pursuing your AME course is, Boeing and Airbus, global leading companies in the aviation business, are administering their MRO industries in different parts of India and soon they are going to need AME recruits to work on their projects.

  • Career options for Aeronautical Engineer: –

The Indian Aeronautical Engineering industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in India, right now. Also, each country’s space curiosity and to also topple the top space research industry attract more aeronautical engineer job roles.

Government Jobs-

Indian Space Research Organisation also known as ISRO recruits significant aeronautical engineers yearly. Similarly, the Indian Air Force Defence and Air India also need aeronautical engineers from time to time. The top government employers of aeronautical engineers to be considered are National Aerospace Laboratories-NAL, Defence Research and Development Laboratories-DRDO, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-Hal

Private Jobs-

More than government jobs, aeronautical engineers are more pursued by private companies. Working as Aircraft engineers, Assistant technical officers, and Aircraft Production engineers are likely job profiles for an aeronautical engineer in the private sector.

The top companies recruiting aeronautical engineers are-

  • Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company
  • Altran India
  • Bharat Electronics Ltd.
  • BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd.
  • Taneja Aerospace & Aviation Ltd.
  • Mahindra Aerospace.
  • Honeywell Aerospace

Aeronautical engineers have not only demand in India but globally as well.

Salary-

An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and an Aeronautical Engineer are both more tedious jobs. Hence salary compensation for both of these engineers is naturally higher. Based on your preferred choice of college and your experience, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s average salary is approximately between 8 to 15 lakhs per year. Comparatively aeronautical engineers’ salaries can range approximately from 5 to 24 lakhs per year.

Choosing the right field which suits your needs and career can be a tedious task. Both Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering are respected, renowned and recommendable fields of study and have great career options.

Hope this article clears out your doubts and assists you in choosing either an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or an Aeronautical Engineer.

By Manali