Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Courses and Streams: B1, B2 and the AME CET Route
Posted on : 15 February, 2021 11:54 am
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Courses
Key takeaways
- An AME licence is issued by India’s DGCA under CAR-66; training happens at approved CAR-147 institutes.
- Two main streams: B1 (mechanical) and B2 (avionics). B1 splits into four sub-categories by aircraft type.
- AME CET is the common entrance route into participating AME and aviation programmes. Check amecet.in for the current cycle.
- A course alone does not give you a licence. Module exams and practical experience come next.
What is Aircraft Maintenance Engineering?
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) is the discipline of keeping aircraft airworthy: inspecting, repairing, overhauling and certifying that an aircraft is safe to fly. Licensed engineers hold legal authority to sign off maintenance work, which is why the career is regulated so tightly. In India, the rules sit in Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rules and in CAR-66, which covers licensing of aircraft maintenance engineers. CAR-66 was written to align Indian licensing with international practice and introduced separate B1 and B2 categories, later adding B3.
The licence pathway at a glance
AME streams explained: B1 and B2
Streams are really licence categories. The split is between working on the airframe and engines (B1) and working on electrical and avionic systems (B2). Pick the stream that matches how you like to work: hands-on mechanical systems or electronics and instruments.
| Stream | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| B1.1 | Turbine-engine aeroplanes, the airline-fleet workhorses | Students targeting airlines and MROs |
| B1.2 | Piston-engine aeroplanes | Flying clubs, training fleets, general aviation |
| B1.3 / B1.4 | Turbine / piston helicopters | Helicopter operators, offshore, charter |
| B2 | Avionics: electrical power, instruments, navigation, communication | Students who prefer electronics |
Types of courses you will come across
“AME” is used loosely, so compare the programme type before you apply. Only a course approved under CAR-147 counts as basic training toward the licence. One example is the IGRUA programme, a DGCA-approved B1.2 course that runs for three years across six semesters and 2,400 hours, including 340 hours of live maintenance practice.
| Programme | Typical entry | What you get | Licence-linked? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AME licence course (CAR-147) | 10+2 PCM | Basic training for B1 or B2 module exams | Yes, once exams and experience are done |
| Diploma in aeronautical / AME | 10th or 12th, institute-specific | Technician-level grounding | Only if the institute is CAR-147 approved |
| B.Tech aeronautical / aerospace | 10+2 PCM with entrance exam | Design, aerodynamics, structures | No, it is a separate engineering degree |
| B.Sc / BBA aviation | 10+2 | Aviation operations or management | Generally no |
Where AME CET fits in
AME CET is a national-level entrance exam used for admission to participating aviation institutes. According to Collegedunia’s summary, it covers AME licence courses approved by DGCA and EASA, B.Tech aeronautical and aerospace, B.Sc and BBA aviation, and related diplomas. The exam is held in three phases a year (May, June, July), is available online and offline, runs 90 minutes, and is offered in Hindi and English across 40+ centres in 43 cities. For the 2026 cycle, Phase I ran on 7–10 May and Phase II on 11 June.
| AME CET snapshot | Detail (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | 10+2 with PCM, or an AICTE-approved 3-year engineering diploma; final-year appearing students may apply provisionally |
| Minimum marks | Reported as 45% in 10+2 |
| Pattern | 90 questions, 90 minutes, sections for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English and General Awareness (varies by candidate category) |
| Frequency | 3 phases a year |
| Next cycle | 2027 registration started from 1st sep 2026 |
Editor’s note: Third-party sites differ on pattern details and dates. Treat the official AME CET notification as the source of truth before you register.
From course to licence: what happens next
Finishing a course is the start, not the end. You must pass the DGCA module examinations for your category and log practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft. In the EASA Part-66 text that CAR-66 mirrors, B2 and B1.1/B1.3 need two years of practical experience with an approved Part-147 course, and B1.2/B1.4 need one year. Confirm the current DGCA requirement, since regulations are revised. The applicant must also be at least 18 for the licence. Type ratings on specific aircraft (for example an A320 or a Boeing 737 type) come after that and are what airlines usually hire for.
How to choose your stream
- Love engines, structures and hydraulics? Go B1, and pick B1.1 if airlines are your target.
- Love circuits, sensors and software-driven systems? B2 suits you.
- Unsure? Many students start with B1 because it has the most openings. Experience in allied categories can be accepted toward adding another.
- Check approval first. Confirm the institute’s CAR-147 approval and the exact category it is approved for.
FAQs
Is AME the same as aeronautical engineering?
No. AME leads to a maintenance licence with certifying authority. Aeronautical engineering is a design-focused degree.
Can I join with Biology instead of Maths?
The reported AME CET eligibility needs PCM, so Maths is expected.
Does AME CET guarantee a seat?
No. It is an entrance and counselling route; seats depend on rank, institute and category.
