Expert: David A. NewMyer - 6/16/2009

Question
Do AME hold importance?Also is my career bright in this line?

Answer
Hi, Lisha:

Thank you for your question, I will try to assist!

Here in the USA, the AME is called an "Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic [or technician]"....and, yes, this certification/training holds much importance and significance in the world of aviation.

If you wanted to study in this area, what I would do is find a school or university that combines AME training with a bachelor's degree.  The reason is that more and more AME positions are going to people who are BOTH technically trained as AME's (or Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics) AND are educated at the bachelor's degree level. Therefore, in order for you to be competitive in the aviation job market, you, too, will have to have the equivalent of the AME (or Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic license) and a bachelor's degree.

Yes, the future is very bright in this area of study.  The reason is that, in spite of the current economic downturn, the aviation industry will continue to expand, especially in your part of the world (India).  In order for the aviation industry to expand, it will need qualified and competant individuals with the AME (or Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic) certification and a bachelor's degree.  Aircraft are much more detailed and complicated than they used to be just 20 years ago....they are much more electronic in nature and carry a lot of computers, in addition to having new composite airframes.  New AME's will have to be trained to work on this new airline equipment.  So, yes, the future is bery bright indeed.  This is especially true in that Boeing and Airbus have each sold 500 to 1000 or more aircraft each in each of the last four years....and, both companies have five to seven years or more of aircraft backlogs.  So, thousands of new airline jet aircraft will be built between now and the end of the next decade....and, each aircraft will need several AME's to work on it.

I hope that this answer helps you.  Best wishes to you in your aviation career!

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu