Aviation is still amongst the most rewarding and fascinating careers. Aviation refers to all the activities involving the operation of aircrafts. The courses in India deal with Flying Operation, Aircrew, Aircraft, Air Traffic Management, Aviation safety and economics of the airport.
Aircraft pilots are highly trained professionals and require intensive training & skill up gradation. Being a highly specialized job one is required to have knowledge of air navigation, interpreting meteorological reports, lead the aircraft under varied circumstances and be a leader to the crew and passengers.
At technical level, a lot of skills are prerequisite for the pilots and they have to qualify many tests to get the license to fly. Getting the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) license to fly the airplane is highly competitive in nature.

Aviation

• Pilot
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
• Air Traffic Controller

A commercial aircraft pilot controls and operates the flight and is the commander-in-chief right from take off to landing. They carry passengers and cargo to destinations around the globe. It is an exciting and challenging career which involves a lot of responsibility. Commercial pilots are not to be confused with the pilots of the Indian Air Force who are selected through the NDA exam. Commercial pilot enjoys one of the high paying careers and also requires high investment, regular training and constant skill up-gradation.

Eligibility

For a career as a Pilot, one should pass the 10+2 level with the subject combination of Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Post class 12th one can try and crack the entrance exams of the flying schools in India and also clear the physical fitness requirements.

• Every institute has their respective specifications concerning physical fitness, and eyesight specifically
• One has to clear the class -I medical exam as prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Private pilot & commercial pilot license requires practical training and completion of flying hours
• Private pilot license requires a minimum of 60 hours of flying
• Commercial pilot license requires minimum of 250 hours of flying (including 60 hours of Private pilot license)
• Physics and Mathematics are necessary subjects in Class XII
• Non Science students can apply to National Institute of Open School to meet the requirements

• Major or Regional Airlines
• Corporate and Business Aviation
• Cargo Pilot
• Medical and Air Ambulance Pilots
• Astronauts and Space Pilots

• Fly commercial planes from one destination to another
• Monitor aircraft systems and coordinate with on-ground airport authorities
• Study and deal with maps, technology and planes
• Send and receive information to the crew flying in an airplane and staff on ground
• Check weather and flight plans
• Work for long hours and in shifts, often being away from home & family for several days
• Ensure safe and efficient operation of the aircraft and the safety of crew members and passengers
• Brief cabin crew before a flight takes off and maintain regular touch with base people through out the flight
• Respond swiftly to environmental changes and emergency situations
• Update aircraft log book and write a report at the end of a flight

As critical pillars of the aviation sector, aircraft maintenance engineers are responsible for the maintenance, control and repair of specialized aircraft instrumentation and parts. The maintenance of modern sophisticated aircrafts calls for high degree of technical knowledge, proficiency, dexterity and integrity on part of the concerned personnel.

They play a critical role towards keeping the aircrafts in flying condition and to ensure 100% flight safety. Aircraft engineers research, design, manufacture and maintain aircraft. With the fast-paced growth in the aviation sector, aircraft maintenance engineers are in high demand.

• Major or Regional Airlines
• Airport Authorities
• Aircraft Manufacturing Firms

• Every institute has their respective specifications concerning physical fitness, and eyesight specifically
• This is not a regular degree, but a specialized licensing program
• On completion of training a Basic Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Certificate (BAMEC) is provided by the DGCA which will makes one eligible for a job in the aviation industry
• BAMEC is issued in multiple categories such as LA (Light Airplane), HA (Heavy Airplane), JE (Jet Engines), IS (Instrument System), RN (Radio Navigation System), ES (Electrical System)
• Post completion of the BAMEC, one can get the AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Physics and Mathematics are necessary subjects in Class XII
• Non- Science students can apply to National Institute of Open School to meet the requirements
• Student has to clear Colour Blindness Test

• Examining aircraft design and parts for detriments
• Refurbish or supplant flawed parts
• Examine the security and legal necessities of the aircraft
• Perform regular service of aircraft at regular intervals
• Work according to the engineering designs and plans
• Maintain accounts of refurbishing and sustenance work done
• Performing testing using relevant apparatus, gauges and electrical devices
• Going through the aircraft's technical records to check if there is any complaint, about the working of the aircraft, by pilots or air-crew.
• Staying abreast with latest technologies and refurbishing methods in the field

Air Traffic Controller is a job which involves managing the traffic in air, monitoring and managing aircraft and runways. They provide with the information to the pilots via radio about the location, runway and monitor the altitude and speed of the aircraft.

Air traffic controllers are the back end people who are majorly responsible to overlook that aircraft collision and air traffic mis happenings don’t happen as these mis happenings can cause major loss of property and life.

This job is of great responsibility as is given to those individuals who have strong basis in technical aspects as their main aim is safety and smooth flow of air traffic which involves attention to landing and take off of the aircraft, managing the flights which are arriving and departing and so on.

Airport Authority of India conduct an examination on the basis of which they hire individuals as air traffic controller.

The examination tests the individuals on the basis of medical test, voice test and a written test. Air traffic controllers are the eyes and ears of the pilot, they need to have attention to details and the skill of multi tasking.

• Town Controller
• Approach Controller
• Area Controller

• Must have passed class 12th or Senior Secondary Examination with at least 60% marks including English
• A test is conducted by Airport Authority of India and individuals who are above 27 years of age are not eligible to apply.

• The job of air traffic controllers involves multi tasking as they have to coordinate among the various departments in air traffic control itself and take into account the safety measures.
• Air traffic controllers have to stay in contact with the pilot through out and provide them with necessary information so as to avoid any mis happenings while in air or on a runway.
• They are also responsible for alerting the airport response staff in case of any aircraft emergency, hence this job requires vigilance and quick decision making.
• Air traffic controllers involves the use of radars and technical equipment’s to guide the aircraft in the air and they also need to coordinate with the the other departments to ensure smooth arrival and departure of the aircraft.