Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
at ARDC
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is technical, high-impact, and essential to aviation safety. If you like hands-on work with aircraft systems, solving real technical problems, and building a career that the world will always need, AME is a direct route to that future. ARDC offers a DGCA-approved AME program designed to turn motivated students into licensed, industry-ready professionals.
What the course covers
Core knowledge:
Aircraft structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials
Mechanical streams:
Airframe and engine systems (B1.1 for turbine aircraft; B1.2 for piston engines)
Avionics stream:
Electrical, instrumentation, radio and navigation systems (B2)
Practical skills:
Fault diagnosis, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and regulatory release procedures
Students can choose either B1.1, B1.2, or B2. All streams include intense theory and practical experience, which will make you industry-ready from the Aerospace Research & Development Centre, one of the topmost institutes in India.
Do you know?
Even if you hold an M.Tech or PhD in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering from a National or International University, you cannot certify an aircraft unless you have completed the curriculum of aircraft maintenance engineering as prescribed in the Civil Aviation Requirement CAR-66 by DGCA under the government of India, and obtained an AME Licence as a result.
Who can Join
- Pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) or
- Hold a 3-year engineering diploma (Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Aeronautical) from a recognised State Board
- Medical fitness and standard admission documents are required
ARDC accepts candidates appearing for final exams on provisional terms, subject to documented results by the specified deadline.
According to the stringent guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Indian Aircraft Rules-1937 and the Aircraft Act-1934, no aircraft can take flight without the approval of a licensed AME
Course Structure & Duration
- Total length: 3 years, split into six semesters (theory + practical)
- Training follows DGCA CAR-147 / CAR-66 norms and includes Basic Knowledge training, Basic Knowledge Exams, on-the-job practical training, and assessments
Each semester at ARDC combines classroom modules with workshop and hangar-based practice, so you graduate with both knowledge and experience!
AME Training & Licensing Pathway (DGCA - CAR-66)
1. Eligibility
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM)
- OR Diploma in Engineering with PCM (AICTE/Govt-approved)
2. Join a DGCA-Approved AME Institute (CAR-147)
- Enroll Aerospace Research & Development Centre, a part of Sha-Shib Group AME institutes (South Asia’s largest AME training network)
3. 3-Year AME Program
- Theory + Practical (Workshops + Hangar visits & Live Aircraft) training under controlled environment.
4. Clear DGCA CAR-66 Module Exams
- All modules must be passed for licence eligibility
5. Aircraft Maintenance Experience (MRO-CAR-145)
- Practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft at DGCA-approved MROs (Without this, no AME licence can be issued)
6. Apply for AME Licence (CAR-66)
- Issued by DGCA after attending type training and subsequently passing type exams/assessment
7. Become Certifying Staff (CRS Authority)
- Legally authorised to certify aircraft as fit to fly. Aligned with DGCA & ICAO’s global standards (SARPs)
Integrated Dual Degree option - extra value in 3 years
ARDC’s integrated program pairs the AME diploma with a BSc / BBA or related bachelor’s degree, allowing you to earn a technical licence plus a government-recognised academic degree within the same three years. This gives you managerial options, broader industry choices, and an edge in recruitment.
Hands-on training & industry exposure
- Real practical attachments with maintenance organisations and airports
- Work on live aircraft systems in workshops and labs
- Training emphasises real maintenance routines, release to service procedures, and compliance with national safety standards
ARDC’s practical partnerships and in-house facilities help you graduate ready for airline and MRO work.
The Backbone of Aviation Safety
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are key personnel in the aviation Industry to perform all kinds of tasks related to Aircraft Maintenance to keep aircraft in flying condition as per the national & international standards & regulations.
Regulators and approvals - why this matters
ARDC is a DGCA-approved AME institute operating under CAR-147 (Basic) and following CAR-66 norms for AME licensing. Graduating from a DGCA-approved programme is mandatory to pursue a licensed AME career in India and to appear for the DGCA module exams.
Career paths
- Airlines and MROs: Line maintenance, base maintenance, overhaul shops
- Aircraft manufacturers: Production and testing roles
- Airport technical operations: Ramp and engineering teams
- Regulatory and training roles: Move into instructor positions or DGCA-related functions after experience
- Higher education and research: Further study or R&D in aviation technologies
The AME licence is globally respected; many graduates convert licenses or move overseas after gaining experience.
