Aviation courses act as a stepping-stone for a career that offers endless opportunities in the aviation sector. Prospective pilots undertake courses which involve rigorous training programs that take a student across every facet concerning the aviation industry. A career in the aviation sector gives wings to one’s ambitions and goals. Moreover, these courses allow exploring employment beyond the conventional graduation.
There is a rising demand for pilots, not only on the domestic ground but also in the international market. This significantly widens the scope and reach for students who wish to pursue aviation courses. Also, prospective candidates for ground duties across various airports and airlines are equally in demand. The courses provide an in-depth academic and technical know-how in the field of air transport, which enable a student to get involved in a variety of roles across the industry.
It is no doubt that there are abundant opportunities for a candidate after completing aviation courses. However, aspiring students need to have the following skills before they are set to take the aviation sector by storm:
While aviation training institutes reserve the rights to change the terms on which they admit students to aviation courses, there is a general trend which is observed in this regard. Firstly, a student must be a class 12 pass out with a minimum score between 50 and 65 percent. Though the eligibility criteria for individual courses in this field vary slightly, a student needs to have a background in science and mathematics to be able to pursue a career in aviation.
Some of the popular colleges offering specialised Bachelor’s degree and the diploma in aviation courses are AJ Aviation Academy, Bangalore, Indian Aviation Academy, Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Hyderabad, Wingsss College of Aviation Technology, Pune, Indian Institute of Aeronautics, New Delhi, and Hindustan Aviation Academy, Bangalore.
Most flight training schools conduct a medical examination and a ground training program to label an aspirant suitable or unsuitable for aviation courses.
Medical Examination - In the first phase, a student has to go through a medical examination, which can be awarded to him by any doctor with a DGCS approval. Only if a candidate is deemed fit, as per the medical clearance test, he can take admission to a flight training school. This is also known as Class 2 step.
Ground Training - Students who successfully pass the medical examination at the Class 2 level become eligible to undergo a Class 1 ground-training course. This training can take anywhere between two and three months for completion. Also, the training program enables an aspirant to get a grasp on subjects, including Air Regulation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation and Aircraft Technical.
Depending upon the nature of the program, the duration of aviation courses could lie anywhere between six months and four years.
|
Type |
Fee Structure |
Duration |
|
Bachelor’s degree |
1.5-5 lacs |
3-4 years |
|
Diploma |
50 -70k |
6 months to 1 year |
This is a 3-year program pursued at the undergraduate level. It invites students who have cleared grade 12 with a minimum of 50 per cent marks.
Job Prospects: After completion, students can apply for various managerial and administrative posts at airports, such as airport manager, administrator, staff manager and safety officer. Students can also pursue a regular MBA post completion of this course.
This diploma course allows a student to focus only in the area of airport management. Since this is a diploma course, it does not fetch as much value as a regular BBA in the same field but if clubbed with a post-graduation diploma, one can get a very good value with this one.
It admits students who have passed their class 12 in any discipline.
Job Prospects: Students can apply for posts, including airport manager, assistant manager and cargo department manager, at domestic and international airports.
This is the most promising and prestigious avenue in the field of aviation courses. Although commercial pilot training proves to be very hefty in the pocket, the rewards from the job are exponential.
To undertake commercial pilot training, one needs to be necessarily a pass out from science stream with a background in maths, physics and chemistry, in grade 12 with a minimum of 50 percent. The admission process includes a written exam which a candidate must clear at the preliminary stage. Further, one needs to clear a pilot aptitude test and get through an interview as well.
Job Prospects: Students can apply for a commercial or a ferry pilot with private or government airlines. Also, one can go on to become a flight instructor.
This course is a perfect choice for candidates who want to pursue ground duty operations in the aviation industry. In order to pursue this course, one needs to be a class 12 pass out from any stream. It takes up to a year to pass the diploma course.
Job Prospects: From ticketing staff operations to front office jobs, students can easily fit into related roles. One can fetch a minimum of INR 2 lacs per annum.
One can belong from any stream in class 12th, in order to be eligible to take up this course.
Aviation industry thrives on adequate hospitality to its customers. Students who have cleared their 10+2 examination from any stream are eligible to take up this course, which can be completed in a year.
Job Prospects: Students can be adsorbed as cabin crew and ground staff members by several airlines. Also, it can fetch an average salary of INR 5 lacs per annum.
Students who are focused on taking up job roles as air hostess or flight stewards should go for this course. This course can be pursued after passing the 10+2 examination from any stream.
Job Prospects: Candidates opting for this course can be hired as flight attendants, ground staff and office operators, by various airlines. Average pay packages can vary anywhere from INR 4-6 lacs per annum.
It is a specialised B Tech degree that deals with everything related to the designing, manufacturing and maintenance of an aircraft.
For getting admission, one has to be a class 12 pass out from the science stream. Further, a candidate has to appear in several national and state level entrance examinations to get admission in recognised institutes that offer training in this course.
Job Prospects: Students can get a job with airlines as chief engineer, research and development engineer, or design engineer.
This 3-year undergraduate degree course trains a candidate in the field of air regulation, navigation, meteorology, aircraft, and engine and aviation security. Along with a minimum of 50 per cent marks, one needs to hail from the science background to be able to take up this course.
Job Prospects: One can apply for posts like air traffic controller, cargo management staff, ticketing staff and ground staff operations. Average pay packages can go up to INR 4 lacs per annum.
One can also take up several post graduate courses after completion, such as MBA, M.Sc., aviation safety and more.
This is one of the most promising aviation courses. A student can clear it in a time period of 3 years, which involves an academic program of 2.5 years. Students learn to inspect and ensure maintenance of aircraft. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation awards an AME license to successful candidates on the completion of course.
In order to be eligible for this course, one needs to have a minimum of 50 per cent marks from the science stream.
Job Prospects: Post completion of the course, one can join the government and private airlines, associate with flying schools or work with firms that engage in manufacturing aircraft parts.