How to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer — your road, class by class

An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) inspects, repairs and certifies aircraft as safe to fly. In India the licence is issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under CAR-66; only a licensed AME can sign the certificate of release to service. [1]

A normal working day

• Inspect aircraft before and after flights and fix defects.
• Carry out scheduled maintenance on engines, structures, avionics and electrical systems.
• Sign release-to-service certificates within the privileges of your licence category.

Pay

AME salaries are set by airlines and maintenance organisations and are not officially published. One related central post is printed in the Routes list.

Main routes

Time and cost

Module exams

Pass mark 75% in each module [1]

Time limit

All modules within 10 years before the licence application [1]

Experience

1–5 years on operating aircraft, by category and route [1]

Training fees are set by each approved organisation, and DGCA exam fees are not printed in CAR-66, so no rupee figure is printed here.

Hidden challenges

• Every CAR-66 module needs 75% — far above a typical college pass mark. [1]
• Module passes expire: they must fall within 10 years of your licence application. [1]
• You must also show practical experience on operating aircraft — up to 5 years without approved training or a degree. [1]

Who should not choose it

• You dislike Physics and Mathematics — the eligibility rule and the modules are built on them.
• You want a desk job — AMEs work on the ramp and in hangars, in shifts.
• You cannot accept strict rules and paperwork — every signature carries legal responsibility.

1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

   Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

   • The AME licence needs Class 12 in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (or an engineering diploma with these subjects). [1]

   Doubt What does an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer do?

   Inspects, repairs and certifies aircraft as fit to fly. Only an AME licensed by DGCA under CAR-66 may sign the release-to-service certificate. [1]

   Next: Read the Routes list above.

   Doubt Who gives the AME licence in India?

   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under its Civil Aviation Requirement CAR-66. DGCA also conducts the basic knowledge (module) exams. [1]

   Next: Learn the licence categories below.

2. You are here Class 10

   Pick PCM

   • Choose Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for Class 11–12. [1]

   Stream / subjects: Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM).

   Doubt Can I become an AME after a diploma instead of Class 12?

   Yes. DGCA accepts an engineering diploma from a state technical education board where Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics were studied, as equal to Class 12 PCM. [1]

   Next: Check that your diploma includes PCM.

   Doubt Can a PCB student become an AME?

   No — CAR-66 asks for Class 12 in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or an equivalent diploma with those subjects. [1]

   Next: Take Mathematics in Class 11.

3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

   Class 12 PCM, then pick a training route

   • Pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Then choose: DGCA-approved basic training, an engineering degree, or direct work experience. [1]

   Doubt What is the minimum age for an AME licence?

   18 years. [1]

   Next: Plan your training so you reach 18 by the time you apply.

   Doubt What are the licence categories?

   Category A (A1–A4), B1 (B1.1 aeroplanes turbine, B1.2 aeroplanes piston, B1.3 helicopters turbine, B1.4 helicopters piston), B2 (avionics, all aircraft), B2L, B3, C and L. [1]

   Next: Decide whether you want mechanical (B1) or avionics (B2) work.

4. You are here In college

   Training and module exams

   • Pass DGCA's basic knowledge modules — 75% in each module. [1]
   • Modules count only if passed within 10 years before you apply for the licence. [1]

   Doubt What is the pass mark in DGCA's AME exams?

   75% in each CAR-66 module and sub-module multiple-choice exam. [1]

   Next: Study each module to that standard.

   Doubt Do I lose a module pass after some years?

   Yes. Each module exam must have been passed within 10 years before the licence application; otherwise you must apply to DGCA for credit. [1]

   Next: Finish your modules and experience in one plan.

   Doubt Does an approved AME course shorten experience?

   Yes. With basic training at a DGCA-approved organisation you need 1 year of experience for Category A, B1.2, B1.4 or B3, and 2 years for B1.1, B1.3 or B2. [1]

   Next: Check that your institute is DGCA-approved.

5. You are here Graduated

   Experience, then the licence

   • B1.1, B1.3 and B2 need 5 years' experience on operating aircraft — 3 with an engineering degree, 2 with approved basic training. [1]

   Doubt I have a B.Tech in Mechanical. How much experience do I need?

   With a degree in engineering: 2 years for Category A, B1.2, B1.4 or B3, and 3 years for B1.1, B1.3 or B2, plus the module exams. [1]

   Next: Find a maintenance organisation that will give you aircraft experience.

   Doubt Is there a government job for aeronautical engineers in DGCA?

   Yes. UPSC Advt 06/2026 had 15 Air Safety Officer posts in DGCA (Pay Level 10) for a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, with age limits of 35 (UR / EWS), 38 (OBC) and 40 (SC). [2]

   Next: Watch UPSC's recruitment adverts.

   Doubt What do Air Safety Officers do?

   Investigate aircraft accidents and incidents, carry out safety audits of airlines, ramp inspections and aerodrome inspections. [2]

   Next: Read the full duties in the UPSC advert.

6. You are here Working / switching career

   Adding a category later

   • To add a new category or subcategory you pass the extra modules DGCA lists for it. [1]

   Doubt Can I move from B2L to B2?

   Yes. You show by examination the knowledge difference between B2L and B2 and meet the experience rule; DGCA then replaces your B2L licence with B2. [1]

   Next: Plan the extra modules.

   Doubt Do I keep my signing rights if I take a break?

   Only if, in the previous two years, you had six months of maintenance experience under your licence privileges (or met the rules for issue of those privileges). You must also read, write and communicate in the language of the technical documents. [1]

   Next: Keep your experience log up to date.

   Doubt What is Category C?

   Category C is for engineers who already have years of B1 or B2 experience in an approved maintenance organisation — for example 3 years exercising B1.1, B1.3 or B2 privileges on complex motor-powered aircraft, including 12 months in base maintenance. [1]

   Next: Build B1 / B2 experience first.

DGCA CAR-66 module exams → AME licence · Directorate General of Civil Aviation

Eligibility

Class 12 PCM (or PCM diploma) · age 18+ [1]

Pass mark

75% per module [1]

Module validity

10 years [1]

B1.1 / B2 experience

5 / 3 / 2 years (none / degree / approved training) [1]

Stage table source [1]

Open the full exam guide

• National route: DGCA issues one all-India licence under CAR-66; no state rules apply. [1]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

1. DGCA — CAR-66: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licensing, Issue III, Rev 2 (29 Sep 2025) (opens in a new tab) licence categories and subcategories; 66.A.15 eligibility (10+2 PCM or PCM diploma, age 18); 66.A.25 modules within 10 years, credits; 66.A.30 experience by category and route; 75% module pass mark; B2L to B2; Category C experience · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
2. UPSC — Advertisement No. 06/2026 (12 Jun 2026) (opens in a new tab) Dental Surgeon, UT of Ladakh (vacancy 26060677113): Pay Level 9, BDS, DCI / State Dental Council registration; Specialist Grade III (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), 22 posts, Level 11 + NPA, MD / MS / DNB / diploma, 3 / 5 years' experience, age 40 / 43 / 45; Assistant Director Grade-II (Economic Investigation), MSME, 50 posts, Level 7, Master's in Economics + 2 years; Assistant Mining Geologist, Indian Bureau of Mines, 5 posts, Level 7, Master's in Geology + 2 years; Air Safety Officer, DGCA, 15 posts, Level 10, degree in Aeronautical Engineering, age 35 / 38 (OBC) / 40 (SC), duties · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
3. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
4. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

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