An Overview of Major Aviation Careers

by Neha Gupta Neha Tales

Almost all facets of air travel and its operations are part of the aviation business. This covers the entire airline sector, the production of aircraft, research organisations, military aviation, and more. Aviation is most commonly used to describe mechanical air transportation using an aircraft. The two main aircraft types are aeroplanes and helicopters, but most modern definitions of the word 'aviation' extend beyond this to include crewless aircraft like drones. With this in mind, aviation can be characterised as all related industries.

It's hard to exaggerate the value of the modern aviation sector. Still, the industry's globalisation, which helps bridge disparate continents, nations, and cultures, is one of the primary causes of this relevance. Global aviation has thus played a crucial role in enabling effective travel to remote locations, enhancing many lives. The aviation industry has also been a key contributor to global economic prosperity due to the tourism industry boosting local economies and allowing global trade improvements.

Meanwhile, the aviation industry provides millions of jobs worldwide, from pilots and cabin crew to air traffic controllers and aerospace engineers. On top of this, the aviation industry has helped create many jobs in the wider travel and tourism industry.

The aviation industry can offer many possible career paths. The main aviation careers you can choose from are the ones listed below.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

The key duties associated with the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer are performing repairs and carrying out preventative actions to ensure aircraft are in full working order. It is, therefore, one of the most important aviation careers, helping keep aircraft fully functional and safe. You will need to complete a training programme that probably includes written and practical exams and the appropriate formal qualifications.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in India have acquired sufficient knowledge on the maintenance of aircraft and clear paper I, II, III and IV conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). DGCA-approved institutes across the country teach the required subjects for different streams. Paper I and II are common to all the streams, paper III is specific to a stream, and Paper IV is specific to the aircraft type. A person can have a licence on different streams and aircraft, and AME is a licence rather than an academic degree like BSc, BTech or BCA.

As per Indian Aircraft Act, 1934—Rule made thereunder – mandates the release of Indian Registered Aircraft for flying after being certified by Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME); licensed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Before any flight, an authorised AME certifies that the "Aircraft is airworthy and safe for flying." An individual who desires an AME license must undergo a licensing program per DGCA regulations.

Even with a BSc, BE/B.Tech, ME/M. You must be licenced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by regulations to certify any aircraft with an Indian registration (Tech, PhD, PhD, or other degrees in aviation, aeronautics, or aerospace CAR-66). Only an aircraft's airworthiness and flying safety can be certified by an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) with a licence.

You can work in various domestic and foreign aviation businesses after earning your AME certification.

Pilot

The process of getting these pilot licenses may vary depending on where you plan to do your pilot training and the type of license you choose. Obtaining a Student Pilot License is the first step to becoming a pilot. To prepare for this, you must first enrol in ground school, where you will study various topics such as how aeroplanes fly, how their engines function, how to fly as a pilot, rules and regulations to follow, and lessons on the weather. Following that, you must pass your tests, have a medical exam, and earn your student pilot licence (SPL). The flight school will often take care of this for you.

After receiving your SPL, obtaining your Private Pilot License is the next step. After completing your ground school and flight training, passing your written exams and flight/skills tests, and accruing the necessary number of flight hours, you will be able to get this. You can fly solo or in a group with this Private Pilot License (PPL), but you are not allowed to get paid for your flying services. This licence is ideal if you wish to fly for fun or as a pastime.

If you want to become a pilot professional, you can proceed to do your Commercial Pilot License training, which starts with ground school, followed by flight training. After this, you must build your flying hours and pass written exams and flight/skills tests before getting your Commercial Pilot License (CPL). You can get paid for your flying services if you hold a CPL.

To get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), the candidate must meet the following minimum requirements:

At least 18 years of age
Holds a Class 1 Medical Certificate
At least 10+2

Aside from the requirements mentioned above, the total flying hours required to get a commercial pilot license usually ranges around 200 flight hours, but it varies from country to country.

Flight / Cabin Attendant

The non-technical cabin crew members are essential to the aviation sector. The candidates are prepared for the industry by being trained to be multitasking professionals. The welfare and safety of the passengers on board are the responsibility of the cabin staff. The staff deals with the comfort of passengers while checking in, providing important information, assisting disabled passengers and selling tickets. They are significant players in the airline and civil aviation sectors. A candidate for cabin crew must either have a 3-year engineering diploma or degree from a recognised board or university or have completed their 10+2 in any stream.

The aviation industry is growing due to the development of new airlines. There are good career prospects and excellent growth opportunities for a youngster in India and abroad. The Job profile of the flight attendants is very exciting, and they can visit all over the world & see various cultures while earning a reasonably good salary at the same time.

Aviation in India

India currently holds the 9th largest aviation market in the world with 82 operational airports, more than 1500 aircraft, 12 operational scheduled airlines and 121 non-scheduled operators. In India, there will likely be more than 50 million passengers flying by air this year.

An ever-expanding sector offers countless chances across many sub-domains and a wide range of advantages and bonuses. An aviation career is financially and personally satisfying, whether you work as a cabin crew member, an aircraft maintenance engineer, or a commercial pilot.