Career in Civil Aviation: Career Path, Jobs, Courses & Relevant Skills

Career in Civil Aviation:  

Ever dreamt of hitting the skies. The feeling of a strong desire to go high at an altitude of30,000 feet above the ground the clouds to see the whole world from above, whether be it in the place of the pilot or as a part of ground staff. Then indeed a career in aviation is indeed the right place to achieve your dream.

How did the aviation industry come to be?

Roots of the aviation industry can be traced back to more than 2,000 years from the earliest forms to aviation such as kites and attempts at tower jumping to supersonic and hypersonic flight by powered heavy powered jets. Kites flying in china can be traced back to hundreds of years and is thought to be one of the earliest examples of human-made flight. The biggest revolution in the aviation industry came with the discovery of the first man-made flight in 1970 by the wright brothers.

The aviation sector is indeed one of the most attractive and best-paid sectors in the world. The Indian civil aviation industry will become the third-largest civil aviation market by 2020. The roots of the Indian aviation market are dated back to 1911 when the first commercial civil aviation flight took off from a polo ground in Allahabad carrying mail across the Yamuna river to Naini.

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Air India is India’s national flag carrier after merging in 2011 and plays a major role in connecting India with the rest of the world. Other prominent service providers in the Indian civil aviation industry include IndiGo, Air India, Spicejet, GoAir and Vistara, AirAsia India are the major carriers in order of their market share. These airlines connect more than 80 cities across India and also operate overseas routes after the liberalization of Indian aviation.

Must have skills to pursue a career in civil aviation:

• Personality: In the airline industry, a charming personality can take us a long way. A typical job profile in the aviation industry requires professionals to engage in continuous conversations with passengers. An engaging personality with a positive attitude goes a long way to build positive relationships with the customer and is an essential aspect for those working in the aviation industry.
• Critical Thinking: Aspirants must have strong critical thinking abilities. Candidate must possess strong thinking and problem-solving skills, in order to resolve the issues that could arise in emergency situations or during maintenance of the aircraft. Thus one must be quick in solving problems while at the same time finding possible feasible solutions is required skill which is desired in the candidates.
• Travel-Friendly: This is one of the most basic aspects which is looked at in a candidate, by the interviewer.  Those comfortable with traveling will be given preferences, as compared to those who don’t like to travel.
• Team Worker: Candidates having strong interpersonal and team working capabilities is a required skill. The aviation industry involves extensive operations; wherein, the employees must work together to ensure a positive customer experience. Being a team player is an essential skill required in the aviation sector
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills is a must for an aspirant looking towards a career in the sector. Strong communication skills with an ability to clearly articulate your thoughts are needed to clearly communicate with the customer in times of crisis. Whatever the job profile is, whether it’s an air traffic controller, where the key task is communicating with pilots, a job in human resources, or marketing proficiency is needed to clearly articulate and convey ideas clearly. Candidate needs good written communication skills as well, as they may need to write business emails, create a presentation, etc.

Aspirant can join the Indian Aviation Industry with an educational qualification of intermediate or even as a professional with a professional bachelor’s degree. A candidate must have completed 12^th or an equivalent qualification with a minimum mark of 50%.  While there are some constraints if the aspirant is seeking a technical role in the aviation industry.

Educational Qualifications Needed to pursue a career in civil aviation

• BBA in Airport Management: It is a three years course. It teaches the student on managerial and administrative aspects of a job in the Airport. Normally a student gets a job as Airport Manager, Airport Administrator, Safety Officer & Airport Staff Manager. After joining the industry post-graduation, they are normally placed with a package of 3-6 lap.
• Diploma in Airport Management: It is a one year course which teaches students more about the technical aspect than the management aspect. The students after graduation normally get placed as an airport Manager, Assistant Manager, etc. The package is between 2-5 lap.
• Commercial Pilot training: One of the most glamorous and rewarding jobs in the aviation industry. To be a successful commercial pilot one must have both theoretical and practical knowledge. A commercial pilot is offered a package between 5-12 lakhs per annum. Following are the eligibility criteria:

1. Be able to read, write, and speak English.
2. Medically fit

• High School with Maths and Physics.
• Certification, a degree in Air-Hostess Training: One of the most desired and glamourous positions in the Indian Aviation Industry. It is desired by many young graduates. The minimum educational qualification to pursue the Air-hostess course is a high school (10+2). The duration of the courses is from 6 months to 1 year. Certificate, degree, and diploma courses are available in it.

Diploma Courses in Air-Hostess Training:

1. Diploma in Air Hostess Training
2. Diploma in Aviation and Hospitality Management

• Diploma in Cabin Crew.

1. Diploma in Flight attendant training.

Degree and Certificate Courses in Air-Hostess Training:

1. B.Sc. in Air Hostess Training
2. B.Sc. in Aviation Management.

• Aviation Management & Hospitality.

1. Air-Hostess Management.

Career in Civil Aviation: Top aviation institutes in India:

• Indian Institute of Aeronautics, New Delhi.
• Indian Institute of Aeronautics Science, Jamshedpur.
• Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering and information, Pune.
• Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Hyderabad.
• Hindustan Aviation Academy, Bangalore.
• Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess, New Delhi & Mumbai
• Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics, Ahmedabad.

Career in Civil Aviation: Domains to look for in the aviation industry

• Aircraft Electrical Installer: Aspirants with a degree in electrical engineering or looking for an electrical engineering role can explore jobs as an aircraft electrical installer or technician. The job profile including performing tests, troubleshooting equipment, and systems, modifying electric components.
• Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer: Aspirants with a background in engineering can also look for a role as an aircraft manufacturing engineer. Responsibility includes developing and installing different types of manufacturing systems for aircraft, developing maintenance programs, etc. The job role may also include overseeing the production of different aircraft components in the factory.
• Airline Pilot: Aspirants looking for a career solely in flying aircraft can enjoy a career as an airline pilot. The pilot must learn how to operate aircraft, follow strict safety protocol, and must serve a set amount of hours in order to advance their career. In most commercial airlines pilots are assigned a certain number of flight hours depending on the time-lapse they have spent working as a pilot. The airline pilot normally works their way up as a Captain, First Officer, Flight Engineer. Bachelor’s Degree is preferred along with certified pilot credentials after clearing the IGRUA Entrance Test conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). An exam in the following subjects:
  1. Air Regulations
  2. Aviation Meteorology.

• Air Navigation

1. Engine (Technical & Specific)

• Airport Operations Manager: All major airports require the leadership of an experienced and capable manager. The manager is responsible for managing all aspects of an airport including business management, economics, public relations, and personnel management. The minimum educational qualification required is a Bachelor’s degree in Airport Management.
• Air Traffic Controller: They work at airport traffic control towers to direct all air traffic and make sure all pilots receive appropriate 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. Air traffic controllers may work at the terminal or at Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC). They are responsible for managing all communications with the pilots and providing assistance in the event of an emergency. In India Airport Authority of India (AAI) conduct the exam for the Air Traffic Controller.
• Quality Control Personnel: Aspirants with a strong interest in the material and manufacturing can enjoy a career as a quality control specialist. Inspectors, testers, and graders are responsible for checking all materials and parts as they make their way in the assembly line. They ensure the products meet the required safety standards and proper quality assessment is done.
• Aviation Maintenance Technician: They are responsible for checking and maintenance of electrical and mechanical components of an aircraft. They ensure that components meet the necessary safety standards and perform various checks to ensure their compliance. Typically, an aviation maintenance technician Is always in demand.
• Cabin Crew: The Cabin crew includes air- hostess and flight stewards. Diploma in cabin crew services is considered as the highest priority. Thus employers seek to recruit a candidate who has proficient interpersonal skills and excels in customer contact positions. Some other eligibility criteria:

1. HSC certificate.
2. Height Requirement: For Boys: 5ft 7 inches, For girls: 5ft 2 inches

• A minimum level of English Proficiency.

Career in Civil Aviation: Top recruiters

• Indigo airlines
• Air India
• AirAsia India
• Go Air
• Vistara
• Spice Jet
• Alliance Air
• Air India Express.

We hope this is going to be helpful if you are planning to pursue a career in civil aviation. For more guidance, feel free to connect with us and provide your feedback as well, so that we can also improve in the future.