Reach for the sky with these careers in aviation in India!

The sky is not the limit, it is just the beginning. And what better way to literally explore this adventure with a list of careers in aviation? Every year, on 7 December the UN celebrates International Civil Aviation Day, recognising the importance of the aviation industry in social and economic development. If you too wish to be a part of a worldwide change, then keep reading to find out careers in aviation you can consider in India. 

There is no doubt that the aviation industry has played a pivotal role in connecting people from different corners of the world. In fact, according to the UN's official website for International Aviation Day, the global air transport sector supports 65.5 million jobs and USD 2.7 trillion in global economic activity, with over 10 million women and men working across different careers in aviation to ensure 120,000 flights and 12 million passengers a day are carried safely to their destinations. 

If you are interested in working for one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world and wish to explore a job 40,000 feet above the ground level, then keep reading!

Aviation job profiles 

There are a number of options when it comes to careers in aviation, depending on your interests and requirements from the profile. While some of them require specialised skills, others are open to those who are willing to learn and grow within this fruitful industry. Following is a list of careers in aviation you can pursue in India:

1. Airline pilot

What better way to explore careers in aviation by actually driving your way through it? Becoming a commercial airline pilot is a highly sought after job profile, with a starting salary of INR 10 LPA. To become a pilot in India, you need to enrol yourself into a flying school and pursue a B.Sc. in Aviation, followed by obtaining your license. 

2. Air traffic controller 

Have you ever been fascinated by the tall tower you see at an airport? That is why an air traffic controller sits to direct all air traffic and make sure all pilots receive appropriate taxi, takeoff, and landing instructions. It is a fast-paced job during flight takeoff and landing times and requires strong decision-making skills and sound judgment. To be eligible for becoming an air traffic controller in India, one should have an Engineering Degree in Electronics, Telecommunication, Radio Engineering or Electrical. 

3. Flight steward/stewardess 

If you are interested in careers in aviation which fall under the category of hospitality, then becoming a flight steward/stewardess will be the perfect choice for you. The air hostess is the primary career line of an airline's career. This career involves a pleasant, friendly and enthusiastic personality and environment. Though the requirements differ from airline to airline, one should be physically fit, have knowledge of two or more languages (based on the airline), and complete a training course from a recognised institute. 

4. Aircraft technician 

If you have a knack for fixing electrical engineering, then careers in aviation like becoming an aircraft technician is a wise choice. These technicians are responsible for performing tests, troubleshooting equipment and systems, and developing or modifying electric components. Needless to say, a background in electrical engineering is required. 

5. Airport operations manager

This one is for all those who wish to apply their managerial skills to careers in aviation. The airport operations manager oversees all aspects of business management, economics, public relations, and personnel management. They may develop and enforce rules and regulations for the property, manage budgets, and train employees.

6. Aircraft manufacturing engineer 

Another job profile which falls under the list of careers in aviation for engineering students is that of an aircraft manufacturing engineer. These engineers are responsible for developing and installing different types of manufacturing systems for a certain type of aircraft, developing maintenance programs, and meeting production quotas. The job is highly technical in nature and may require extensive on-the-job training.

7. Ground staff

If you are interested in careers in aviation which do not require flying, then being a part of the ground staff is the perfect solution. The ground staff ensures the safety and comfort of passengers, including checking in baggage, providing information, assisting disabled passengers, confirming reservations, and selling tickets.

From the ground to the sky, there are several careers in aviation which you can explore to fulfil your dreams of working in this fast-paced and profitable industry. 

Aviation courses in India

In order to pursue one of the careers in aviation mentioned above, there are several courses you can consider depending on your job profile. They are listed below:

1. Commercial pilot training 

One of the most interesting careers in aviation requires rigorous training and studying. This is the job profile of a pilot, for which you should enrol yourself in a flying school. There are several flying schools in India; Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (New Delhi), Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd., and the Bombay Flying Club. You need to have pursued PCM stream in class 12th and pass a Pilot Aptitude Test to be eligible for these schools. 

2. B.B.A. in Airport Management 

BBA Airport Management is a 3-year course for undergraduate students, teaching the details of the management roles and work done in airports. The eligibility criteria for this course is that students have to qualify 10+2 examinations with minimum 60% marks scored in any of the streams. Students must also be medically fit. To boost careers in aviation under the managerial section, some colleges you can consider are the National College of Aviation (Chennai), SKYBIRD Aviation (Bangalore), and Kasturi Institute of Management Studies (Coimbatore). 

3. Diploma in Ground Staff and Cabin Crew Training 

If you are interested in careers in aviation which involve hospitality skills, then you can do a Diploma in Ground Staff and Cabin Crew Training. After this, you can choose for yourself whether you want a flying or non-flying job. Some colleges for a diploma you should consider are Hyderabad Aviation Academy, Maharashtra Aviation Academy and Hospitality Management (Mumbai), and PTC Aviation Academy (Chennai). 

4. B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering 

If you are interested in careers in aviation which require engineering skills, then you can pursue Aeronautical Engineering. With this, you can, later on, be responsible for either designing, maintaining, or manufacturing of the aircraft. To do this course, you can consider Manipal Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (Kerala), and Institute of Aeronautical Engineering (Telangana). 

5. B.Sc. in Aviation 

B.Sc. in Aviation is a 3 years long Undergraduate Degree program. This course covers topics such as Air Regulations, Navigation, Meteorology, Aircraft and Engine, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Security, Flight Safety and Crew Management. After pursuing this course, successful candidates may take up jobs such as air traffic controller, ground operations staff, cargo management staff, ticketing staff, and more. To pursue careers in aviation, you can consider NIMS University (Jaipur), Institute of Aviation and Aviation Safety (Mumbai), and Indira Institute of Aircraft Engineering (Pune). 

Some other courses you can consider to kickstart careers in aviation include a Diploma in Airfare and Ticket Management, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, and Diploma in Aviation Hospitality. 

Careers in aviation are growing day by day, and have been marked as a necessity in this interconnected world. If you dream of reaching for the sky, then make sure to act upon it today!

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