International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that Indian aviation is going to become the third largest aviation market by the 2025, ranking just behind US and China in the list. If this is a correct prediction made by the IATA, the Indian aviation system will see numbers of professionals touching twice the figure than what it is now. While the global growth is expected to be stagnant, India is all gearing up to built new airports in the states of Kerala, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. If all goes well, there will be high demands of Aviation professionals in and around the country.

For those who wish to hit the skies can do so for a living. Whether as a pilot or on the ground, the career options in the Aviation industry offers many opportunities for the advancement in piloting, engineering and mechanics, airport operations or aircraft manufacturing. From commercial airplanes or private manufacturing companies, to airports, or government organizations, the companies hire technicians and engineers to perform repairs and maintenance services or technicians to perform tests and develop new elements for various aircraft. Those with a strong background and a degree in mathematics, science or industrial engineering may fare particularly well in aviation.

What are the aspects for pursuing aviation education?

Aviation education has different branches based on the fields that one wants to work into. These are:

1. Aeronautical Engineering – One of the most prestigious branches of engineering, where engineers learn how to design aircrafts. To study aircraft engineering, which is a 4 years, bachelor of technology/bachelor of engineering course, students need to have science as a subject in their higher secondary and have an overall score of 50% marks. There are many qualifying examinations in which candidates need to prove themselves worthy of studying this elite engineering stream. Some of the examinations are JEE Main, BITSAT, MET, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, COMEDK UGET, KIITEE and IPU CET.

Job Outlook – One attractive feature of this stream is the high paying salary range that the work profile offers. The salary ranges between 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh per month.

Most Famous Colleges for Studying Aeronautical Engineering are:

a) Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT).

b) Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT).

c) Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT).

d) Anna University of Chennai (AU).

e) PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh (PECUT).

f) Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka (MIT).

2. Commercial Pilot – The opening gates for becoming a pilot is becoming a commercial pilot. Commercial pilot trainings are given at various reputed institutes in 18 months period. Students who studied science in their 10+2 level with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects (with 55% aggregate marks) are eligible to sit for pilot aptitude tests conducted by respective institutes. Some the tests are – IGRUA (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy), Air India Aptitude Test.

Job Outlook – The demands for aviation pilots are always eccentric and it is one of the most lucrative career opportunities for students, who actually aim to fly high! In India, the aviation sector needs more pilots in the coming years and they are ready to pay a salary of 2 lakh per month to a fresher. Once experienced, a commercial pilot earns an average salary of 5-6 lakh per month!

Most Famous Colleges for Studying Aeronautical Engineering are:

a) Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT).

b) CAE Oxford in Gondia.

c) Orient Flights Aviation Academy in Mysore

d) Chimes Aviation Academy in Dhana.

e) Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd. in Ahmedabad (AAA).

f) Flytech Aviation Academy in Hyderabad.

g) Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi in Raebareli (IGRUA).

3. Aviation Hospitality – If you are studying arts and you think your dreams of making a career in the aviation industry is over, think twice! The aviation sector has a huge demand in the hospitality area. The reputation of a company is made by the employees, so hospitality is one crucial segment in which some really knowledgeable professionals, who can provide excellent customer service. The diploma course in aviation is a 12 to 15 months course and students from any stream with an aggregate of 50% marks and really good communication skills can join this industry.

Job Outlook –As mentioned, there are huge demands for customer service members in the aviation industry and the starting salary ranges between 25k to 30k per month for domestic airlines and for foreign airlines it is around 45k to Rs. 1.3 lakh per month. After proper work experience, one can easily get 70k to 85k as monthly salary in domestic airlines.

Most Famous Institutions for Studying Aviation Hospitality are:

a) Frankfinn Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management in Delhi.

b) PTC Aviation Academy in Chennai.

c) Blue Sky Aviation Academy of Aviation and Hospitality Management in New Delhi.

d) Frankfinn Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management in Kolkata.

e) Sri Sanskar School in Noida.

4. Ground Staff in Aviation – These jobs are one of the attention to detail jobs, as a ground staff in aviation looks after the passengers, passengers’ well beings, guiding the aircraft to the right parking space, checking tickets and safely guiding the passengers to the aircrafts. For qualifying for a diploma course in ground staff in aviation diploma, one needs to have an education up to class 12 and passing the examination with at least 50% marks.

Job Outlook – The opening average salary of a ground staff in aviation is 18k monthly, which can go up to 45k after gaining certain experience.

5. Maintenance Engineer in Aircrafts – The technical aspects of an aeroplane for smooth and safe operations is maintained by the maintenance engineers. They work closely with the aeronautic engineers to check the operations of the aeroplanes and after that an aircraft maintenance certificate is provided by Directorate General of Civil Aviation. For studying aircraft maintenance engineering, one needs to have science as their subject in their 10+2 level with an aggregate of 50% marks (minimum). Then they need to qualify in the entrance examinations like JEE, JEE Mains and state level engineering entrance examinations.

Job Outlook – The aviation firms need these engineers for day-to-day operations and they pay an eye catching salary of Rs 7-8 lakh to freshers and that can increase to Rs 20 lakh after years of experience.

Most Famous Institutions for Studying Maintenance Engineering are:

a) School of Aeronautics in Alwar.

b) Alpine Group of Institutes in Dehradun.

c) Star Aviation Academy in Gurgaon.

d) Bharat Institute of Aeronautics in Patna.

e) Avalon Academy in Meerut.

f) Sha Shib Group of Institutions in Bhopal.

g) Institute of Aeronautics and Engineering in Bhopal.

While these are mainstream courses and colleges, there are many more Indian aviation colleges and institutes that offer aviation education. These are:

1. University of Mumbai

2. Banasthali Vidhyapeeth

3. Noida International University

4. NIMS University

5. VELS University

6. Bombay Flying Club

7. Aptech Aviation and Hospitality

9. Aimfill International

10. SkyBird Aviation in Hyderabad

After studying aviation diploma and bachelor’s education, one can further pursue for aviation management or airport management courses to become:

1. Airport Manager/Assistant Manager.

2. Cargo Manager.

3. Ground Staff Manager.

4. Safety and Maintenance Manager.

Apart from these jobs in aviation, there are other opportunities such as:

a) Air Traffic Controller.

b) Flight Instructor.

c) Flight Engineer.

d) Factor Facilitators.

e) Flight Dispatchers.

f) Aviation Psychologists.

g) Aviation Doctors.

h) Ground duty agent.

Aviation is an open wide field for go getters. If you are looking to make a career in this field, then the stream has uncountable opportunities for you!