What is Aviation?
Aviation is a stream of science and engineering dealing with air travel and the mechanisms, creation, operation, flying, and manoeuvring of air transport vehicles such as aeroplanes, jets, helicopters, gliders, VTOL, and STOL.
Aviation comprises a large variety of disciplines and specialisations, some of which include aerospace engineering, aircraft management, civil aviation, military aviation, and air traffic control.
Undergraduate Aviation Degrees Offered
Candidates aspiring towards a career in aviation can opt for the following undergraduate degrees-
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)- 3 years
- Bachelor of Technology (B Tech)- 4 years
- Bachelor of Engineering (BE)- 4 years
- Bachelor of Business Management (BBM)- 3 years
- Undergraduate Diploma
- Certificate Courses
- Pilot License (Commercial/Private/Military/etc.)
Specialisations in Aviation
Specialisations offered in aviation include the following-
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME)
- Airfare and Ticketing Management
- Airlines and Airport Management
- Airlines, Tourism and Hospitality | Aviation, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management
- Air Traffic Control
- Aviation and Tourism Management
- Aviation Hospitality
- Aviation Management
- Aviation with CPL
- Avionics
- Civil Aviation
- Commercial Aviation
- Ground Staff and Cabin Crew Training
- Military Aviation
- Pilot Training
Eligibility and Requirements for Aviation
Students can enrol in aviation colleges and courses after appearing for entrance exams held across the country. The eligibility criteria are as follows-
- Candidates enrolling on aviation programmes and entrances must have passed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examinations from a recognised Indian board with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
- Candidates must have chosen the science stream in their 10+2 with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as compulsory subjects.
Admission Procedure for Aviation
The admission procedure for aviation colleges and courses in India is as follows-
- Candidates applying for aviation courses must qualify for the minimum eligibility to appear for the respective entrance exams. Candidates can apply for the entrance examinations by registering in the online portal and submitting the required documents.
- After appearing for the entrance exams, candidates will be shortlisted based on scores, ranks, and merit lists in the counselling session for the respective colleges/entrances.
- In the case of merit-based admissions, candidates will be shortlisted based on their 10+2 examination scores.
- Shortlisted candidates may then finalize their admission at the concerned college by paying the fees and submitting the required documents for verification.
Entrance Tests for Aviation Courses
Some of the important entrance tests offering admission into undergraduate agriculture courses include the following-
- JEE-Main and Advanced (for admission into B Tech/BE courses)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET) (for admission into BSc courses)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)- conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) Entrance Test (for Commercial Pilot License and BSc courses)- conducted by the IGRUA
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Entrance Test (AME CET)- conducted by Udai Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
Aptitude for Aviation
Students with an interest in air-crafts and air flight will find aviation to be the ideal study goal for them. Students may gauge their aptitude for aviation with the following criteria:
- Technical know-how
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical thinking
- Teamwork
- Leadership abilities
- Crew resource management
- Physical fitness and unimpaired eyesight (necessary for pilots)
- Adaptability
- Innovative outlook
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Top Aviation Specialisations for the Future
The most promising and lucrative aviation specialisations for the future include-
- Aerospace Engineering
- Avionics
- Aviation Safety
- Air Traffic Control
- Airport and Aircraft Management
- Aviation Hospitality
Aviation Subjects
Aviation courses comprise subjects and topics such as-
- Air and Flight Navigation
- Flight Planning
- Distress and Urgency Communication
- Aviation Medicine and First Aid
- Air Traffic Control Management
- Crew Resource Management
- Meteorology
- Aircraft and Engines
- Radio Aids and Magnetic Compass
- Aeronautical Mapping
Post-graduate Study/Research Opportunities in Aviation
After completing undergraduate degrees, candidates can further their aviation study goals through postgraduate and research degrees.
The eligibility criteria for pursuing postgraduate courses is completing an undergraduate biotechnology degree in the specialisation/course of choice from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
Popular postgraduate degrees in aviation include-
- Master of Science (MSc)- 2 years
- Master of Technology (M Tech)- 2 years
- Master of Engineering (ME)- 2 years
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)- 2 years
- Post-graduate Diploma
- Master of Philosophy (M Phil)- 2 years
- Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph D)
Important entrance exams for admission into postgraduate aviation programmes include-
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)- conducted by the Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission test for Masters (IIT-JAM)- conducted by IIT Guwahati
- Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET-PG)- conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
Career Prospects/Placements in Aviation
Aviation is a promising study goal and offers several career avenues and job prospects in the public, government, and private sectors. Aviation students receive placement offers from prominent and reputed companies visiting their college during campus placement programmes organised by the training and placement cell.
Popular and coveted career prospects in the aviation sector include the following-
- Pilot
- Cabin Crew
- Aviation Engineer
- Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer/Technician
- Airport Operations Manager
- Air Traffic Controller
- Ground Staff
- Flight Dispatcher
- Flight Attendant/Steward
- Avionics Technician/Engineer
- Military Aviator/Fighter Pilot
- Aircraft Mechanic
Starting Salaries in Aviation
Starting salaries in aviation range between INR 2 to 5 LPA, and can go as high as 35 to 40 LPA for experienced senior officials.
Subjects Similar to Aviation
Aviation is a technical field dealing with the study, creation, and management of air travel. Students interested in aviation may also find an affinity for similar subjects like Aerospace Engineering, Military Transport, and Vehicle Manufacture.