Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration In India
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration is one of the most searched and most misunderstood topics among aviation aspirants in India. One major reason for this confusion is that the duration required to complete the AME course and the duration required to obtain an AME licence are not the same.
Many students assume that Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is a fixed 4-year degree program like traditional engineering courses and that they will automatically become a licensed AME after completing the AME course. In reality, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering follows a completely different regulatory framework, defined by the civil aviation authority of each country, like DGCA in India, EASA in Europe, and FAA in the United States, etc., which are the authorities.
The fact is that Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is neither a purely year-based program nor a month-based program. Similar to the pilot licensing system, AME training is structured around mandatory Aircraft Maintenance Engineering eligibility criteria, knowledge hours, practical training, and maintenance experience as prescribed by the regulatory authority of the country.
As per DGCA requirements, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration varies depending on the chosen AME licence category, with knowledge and basic AME training requirements generally ranging from approximately 800 hours to 2400 hours, apart from mandatory practical maintenance experience on live aircraft for licensing requirements.
In this detailed guide, you will understand:
The exact Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration required for different licence categories as per DGCA regulations.
The duration required for obtaining an AME licence after completing the course.
How module examinations, practical training, and licence issue timelines actually work.
Common misconceptions that mislead students during admission decisions.
This article is written to help students make correct, regulation-based decisions, not admission-driven assumptions.
Why the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration Is Often Misunderstood
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration is often misunderstood due to several overlapping factors related to training structure, regulatory requirements, and how institutes present the program.
The main reasons for this confusion include:
Difference in AME Course Duration Due to Differences in AME Licence Categories
Each AME licence category, such as Category A1, A2, A3, A4, B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, B2, and B3, comes with different privileges and a scope of work on aircraft maintenance and certification. Because the scope of work varies by licence category, each category requires a different level of technical knowledge, system understanding, and troubleshooting capability. As a result, the DGCA-mandated module examinations as per the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering syllabus, knowledge depth, and practical maintenance experience also differ from one category to another.
Due to this variation, the total number of required knowledge hours and practical training hours differs category-wise. As a result, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration varies, which depends on the selected AME licence category by the aspirant.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Is an Hour-Based Training Program, Not Year-Based
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration is not defined by fixed academic years like conventional four-year engineering degree programs. Instead, AME training is governed by mandatory knowledge and training hours, as prescribed by DGCA under CAR-147 (Basic) and CAR-66 regulations. The basic AME course requires a defined number of knowledge and practical training hours, which generally range from approximately 800 hours to 2400 hours, depending on the selected AME licence category. These hour requirements form the legal foundation of AME training, not calendar years or semesters.
Because DGCA focuses on hours and training quality, not calendar years, different DGCA-approved institutes plan these hours differently. That is why:
Some institutes complete the AME course in 2 years
Some institutes complete the same course in 3 years
Both are legally valid, as long as the institute completes the required training hours and has DGCA approval under its training manual. The difference in delivering the course hours happens mainly due to:
Availability of training facilities and aircraft
How the institute schedules classes, workshops, and practical training
The institute’s own training planning methods, thought process and legacy of delivering knowledge, while still meeting DGCA minimum requirements.
So, the difference in AME course duration in years does not affect the AME licence value. It only shows how the training hours are spread over time.
AME Course Duration Difference due to AME + Graduation/ Degree program Combinations
Some institutes offer only the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course, focusing completely on DGCA-mandated knowledge training and practical hours. These programs usually have a more focused academic structure, as they do not include any additional graduation or engineering degree programs.
Other institutes offer AME training along with a graduation or engineering degree program, commonly known as a dual program. In such cases, the overall academic duration appears longer because students are also completing the time required for the graduation or engineering degree. These dual programs may offer broader career opportunities after completion, but they do not change the AME licensing requirements.
It is important to clearly understand that even completing the AME course or AME + graduation or degree, AME licence eligibility remains the same as defined in CAR-66 and Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rule 1937 Act 1934, which is harmonised with EASA and SARPs of ICAO.
The difference in course duration measured in years exists only because of how institutes schedule AME training along with graduation or degree programs, and not because of any change in DGCA regulations.
In Short, because of such differences in licensing categories, training structure and academic combinations, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration is often misunderstood, even though the regulatory requirements defined by DGCA remain uniform for all eligible candidates.
Difference Between AME Course Duration and AME Licence Duration
Simply completing the AME course does not mean that a student becomes a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. An AME licence carries very critical and sensitive responsibilities, as a licensed AME has the legal authority to certify an aircraft as airworthy before it is released for flight.
Because passenger safety and crew safety depend directly on the signature of a licensed AME, DGCA has placed multiple mandatory requirements beyond just completing the AME course.
To obtain an AME licence, a candidate must fulfil all of the following conditions:
Minimum age of 18 years
Medically fit, including required physical fitness, eyesight, and hearing tests
Minimum educational qualification, such as:
Completion of a DGCA-approved AME course, or
A relevant graduation or engineering degree, as permitted by DGCA
Passing all required DGCA module examinations
Completion of focused and mandatory practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft
Demonstration of required maintenance skills, specific to the chosen AME licence category
These additional requirements mean that the AME licence duration is longer than the AME course duration. The licence process includes practical exposure, skill development, and real aircraft maintenance experience, which cannot be replaced by classroom training alone.
These layers of training and experience act as safety filters, ensuring that an AME licence is issued only to competent and responsible individuals. This strict process exists because the lives of passengers and crew ultimately depend on the decisions and certification made by a licensed AME.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration – Official DGCA Structure
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration in India, as defined by DGCA, is not a single fixed time period but a structured process divided into two mandatory stages. First is the CAR-147 (Basic) AME training, which includes DGCA-approved theoretical and practical classroom training measured strictly in training hours. Second is the mandatory practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft, governed by CAR-66, which determines a candidate’s eligibility for the AME licence.
DGCA clearly separates training duration from licence eligibility duration. While the basic AME course focuses on completing prescribed knowledge modules and practical training hours, the AME licence requires real-world aircraft maintenance experience, skill demonstration, and regulatory compliance. The total time required, therefore, varies depending on the licence category, training pathway chosen, and whether the candidate has completed DGCA-approved CAR-147 training or holds a relevant graduation or engineering degree.
Because institutes may deliver the same DGCA-mandated hours over different academic timelines, and because practical experience requirements differ by licence category, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration often appears inconsistent in years, even though DGCA regulations remain uniform nationwide. Understanding this official DGCA structure is essential for making correct, regulation-based decisions about AME training and licensing.
Basic Training Course Duration (As per DGCA Requirements)
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) basic training course duration is defined by DGCA regulations and is expressed in minimum training hours, not fixed academic years. These hours include theoretical knowledge training and practical training, and they vary depending on the AME licence category.
Below is the minimum basic training duration required for different AME licence categories:
Important Points for Students & Parents
Basic Course Duration (Hours) means the minimum number of training hours a student must complete during the basic AME course.
Theoretical Training Ratio shows how much of the total training is spent in classroom learning, with the remaining time dedicated to practical and workshop training.
Category A licences require fewer hours because they involve limited certification privileges.
Category B1 and B2 licences require more hours because they involve deeper system knowledge and higher certification responsibility.
Higher hours do not mean longer licence validity — they only reflect higher training depth.
These are minimum DGCA-mandated training hours.
Institutes may spread these hours over 2 or 3 academic years, depending on their training structure.
Completing these hours does not automatically grant an AME licence — additional practical maintenance experience and DGCA module exams are required.
All DGCA-approved institutes must follow these minimum hour requirements, regardless of how they present the course duration in years.
Required Practical Maintenance Experience for AME Licence (As per CAR-66)
After completing the basic AME course and DGCA module examinations, every candidate must complete mandatory practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft to become eligible for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licence.
This practical maintenance experience is governed strictly by DGCA CAR-66 regulations and is non-negotiable because an AME licence gives legal authority to certify aircraft airworthiness.
DGCA allows reduced practical experience duration for candidates who already possess:
A relevant graduation or engineering degree, or
A DGCA-approved CAR-147 (Basic) AME training conducted by an organisation approved under Rule 133B
This is why practical experience duration varies, even though the licence privileges remain the same.
DGCA-Mandated Practical Maintenance Experience (Category-Wise)
Total Time Required to Become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
The total time required to become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) is longer than the AME course duration alone. This is because DGCA licensing is a multi-stage process, designed to ensure that only technically competent and experienced engineers are authorised to certify aircraft airworthiness.
In general, the complete AME licensing journey includes:
CAR-147 (Basic) AME training, or a relevant graduation or a relevant engineering degree.
DGCA module examinations.
Mandatory practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft.
Aircraft type-rated training and examinations.
Skill test/ demonstration of competence.
Depending on the training route, licence category, and individual progress, the total timeline can vary.
Minimum Time Required in the Best-Case Scenario
In the best-case and most structured scenario, where a student follows a DGCA-approved CAR-147 (Basic) training route and gains experience without delays, the minimum possible timeline looks like this:
Completion of CAR-147 (Basic) AME training (knowledge + practical hours).
Completion of mandatory practical maintenance experience as per CAR-66.
Completion of aircraft type-rated training and examinations (typically 6 months to 1 year, depending on aircraft type).
Demonstration of maintenance skills/ skill test conducted by DGCA or approved authority.
In such ideal conditions, with continuous training exposure, timely exams, and approved experience, a candidate may complete the licensing process in the shortest DGCA-permitted timeframe for the selected licence category.
However, this scenario assumes:
No exam failures
No training gaps
Continuous access to operating aircraft
Availability of approved type training
Scope at the employer.
And the grant of a reduction in experience requirement by DGCA upon compliance with the same.
Realistic Timeline for Most AME Aspirants
For most AME aspirants in India, the journey follows a more practical and realistic timeline, which looks like this:
2 to 3 years: Completion of AME basic course (CAR-147)
3 to 5 years: Practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft (depending on licence category)
Completion of DGCA module examinations during or after experience
Around 1 year: Aircraft type-rated training and certification
Final skill test/ competence assessment
Realistically, the total time required to become a licensed AME often ranges between 6 to 8 years, depending on:
AME licence category (A, B1, B2, B3).
Training pathway chosen.
Individual learning pace.
Availability of aircraft and approved organisations.
This duration is normal, intentional, and safety-driven, not a delay or disadvantage.
Can the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration Be Reduced?
One of the most common questions asked by students and parents is whether the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration can be reduced or whether there is a fast-track route to obtain an AME licence.
The correct answer is: Yes, duration can be optimised, but it cannot be bypassed. DGCA allows structured and regulated reductions only through approved training routes, not through shortcuts or unofficial claims.
Is a Fast-Track AME Licence Possible?
There is no shortcut or instant AME licence under DGCA regulations. However, DGCA does permit a faster and more structured pathway through DGCA-approved CAR-147 (Basic) AME training organisations.
How CAR-147 (Basic) Training Helps Reduce Time: When a candidate completes AME training from a DGCA-approved CAR-147 (Basic) Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO):
Training is standardised, structured, and continuously audited by DGCA
Theory and practical training are integrated as per the DGCA syllabus
The candidate becomes eligible for reduced practical maintenance experience as permitted under CAR-66
Module examinations are aligned directly with DGCA requirements
Important Clarification: “Fast-track” does not mean skipping:
DGCA module examinations
Practical maintenance experience
Type-rated training
Skill tests
It only means that the required experience duration may be reduced because DGCA recognises the quality and structure of CAR-147 training.
DGCA Rules on Minimum Training and Experience
DGCA strictly regulates AME training and licensing through multiple legal instruments to ensure aviation safety.
Key DGCA Regulations Governing AME Duration
CAR-147 (Basic)
Defines minimum knowledge and practical training hours
Applies to DGCA-approved AME training organisations
Training hours are mandatory and cannot be reduced
CAR-66
Governs AME licensing requirements
Defines:
Required module examinations
Practical maintenance experience duration
Skill demonstration requirements
Allows experience reduction only under specific approved conditions
Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 (Aircraft Act, 1934)
Provides legal authority for AME licensing in India
Harmonised with EASA regulations and ICAO SARPs
Ensures Indian AME licences meet international safety standards
What DGCA Allows and What It Does Not
DGCA allows:
Reduced practical experience for CAR-147 trained candidates.
Reduced experience for relevant graduation or engineering degree holders.
Structured training timelines within approved frameworks.
DGCA does not allow:
Skipping mandatory training hours.
Bypassing module examinations.
Issuing licences based only on course completion.
“Guaranteed fast AME licence” schemes.
Any institute claiming otherwise is not aligned with DGCA regulations.
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration can be optimised, but never shortened below DGCA-mandated minimums. DGCA’s focus is not speed — it is competence, safety, and accountability.
A student who follows the CAR-147 (Basic) training route benefits from:
Better training quality
Clear licensing pathway
Reduced experience duration (where permitted)
Strong regulatory compliance
But every licensed AME must meet the same safety standards, regardless of the training route.
Final Thoughts on Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Duration
Understanding the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration correctly is the first step toward becoming a safe, competent, and licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course duration in India is not a simple number of years that can be compared with traditional engineering degrees. It is a regulation-driven professional pathway, carefully designed by DGCA to ensure that only competent, trained, and experienced individuals are granted the authority to certify aircraft for flight.
The most important clarity every student and parent must understand is this:
AME course duration and AME licence duration are not the same
Training is measured in hours, not academic years
Licensing depends on training + examinations + real aircraft maintenance experience
The total timeline varies by licence category and training route, but DGCA safety standards remain uniform
Differences in course duration across institutes exist because of training structure, delivery methods, and academic combinations, not because of changes in DGCA regulations. Any institute, regardless of how it presents the program in years, must comply with the same CAR-147 and CAR-66 requirements.
For aspirants, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering should be viewed not as a shortcut career but as a profession of responsibility and trust. Every AME licence holder carries the safety of passengers and crew through every certification they sign. That responsibility is the reason DGCA has intentionally designed a thorough, layered, and experience-based licensing process.
Students who make decisions based on regulations rather than marketing claims, and who choose DGCA-approved training pathways, position themselves for a strong, respected, and globally relevant aviation career.
In summary, the true value of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering does not lie in how fast the course is completed, but in how well the engineer is trained to protect lives and ensure flight safety.
