Subject : Procedure for obtaining Basic Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Certificate and Aircraft

Maintenance Engineer's Licence

26th February, 1998

1. INTRODUCTION
For safety of aircraft operation, it is essential that all maintenance, repair, overhaul and
modification work of an aircraft is carried out by engineers adequately qualified and having the
required knowledge, experience and high degree of competence. To ensure this, Director General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducts examination and also issues Basic Maintenance Engineer's
Certificate (BAMEC) and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's (AW) Licence to those candidates who
pass the applicable examinations and meet all other requirements.
This advisory circular gives the requirements, procedure and the details of the examinations
conducted by DGCA for issuance of Basic Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Certificate and AME
licence.
2. BASIC AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATE (BAMEC)
BAMEC is a basic certificate, without type-rating, which does not entitle its holder to any
certification privileges. However, persons holding BAMEC may be approved to undertake certain
certification work after undergoing specific training and oral-cum-practical test. Acquiring a
BAMEC is necessary for obtaining a type rated AME licence for inspection and certification of
aircraft, engines or systems.
The BAMEC is issued by DGCA in the following categories:
1. LA - Light Aeroplane
2. HA- Heavy Aeroplane
3. RA - Rotary wing aircraft (helicopters)
4. PE - Piston Engines
5. JE - Jet Engines
6. ES - Electrical System
7. IS - Instrument System
8. RN - Radio Navigation System
3. CATEGORIES OF AME LICENCES
The following categories of AME licences are are issued by DGCA
Category
Sub-category
A

A&C
D
E
I
R
V
X
Light Aeroplanes (below 5,700 kg all up weight)
Heavy Aeroplanes(5,700 kg all up weight & above)
- Rotary Wing aircraft (helicopters) with 3000 kg all up and above
- Gliders
- Overhaul of aeroplanes
Overhaul of gliders
Piston engines
- Jet engines
- Helicopters with all up weight below 3000 kg
- Overhaul of Piston engines
- Electrical System of Heavy Aircraft
- Instrument System of Heavy Aircraft
Radio Navigation System
Avionics System of sophisticated aircraft
Overhaul of Auto Pilot (Light Aircraft)
Overhaul of Electrical Equipment (Light Aircraft) Overhaul of Instruments (Light Aircraft)
Overhaul of Radio Equipment (Light Aircraft)

Overhaul of Variable Pitch Propellers (Light Aeroplanes)

4. REQUIREMENT FOR ISSSUANCE OF BAMEC AND AME LICENCE
While detailed requirements are contained in the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the CARS, broad
requirements for issuance of BAMEC or AME licence are given below:
4.1 Basic Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Certificate
1. The applicant shall not be less than 20 years age;
2. The applicant must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics or any
other equivalent qualification acceptable to DGCA;
3. He must have passed papers I, II and III written examinations.
4. He must have at least three years practical aeronautical engineering experience in the field
allied to the subject for which BAMEC is sought,
5. He shall produce a certificate from an MBBS doctor indicating that he does not have any
physical disability and colour blindness.
4.2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Licence
1. The applicant shall not be less than 21 years of age;
2. He must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics or any other
equivalent qualification acceptable to DGCA;
3. He shall have passed papers I, II and III written examination and also paper IV approved
course on the specific aircraft/engine/systems;
4. He shall have passed the necessary oral-cum-practical examination;
5. He shall produce a medical certificate from an MBBS doctor that he doesnot have any
physical disability or colour blindness;
6. He shall possess a minimum practical experience of four years in the field of aircraft
maintenance engineering.
4.3 Details of Experience required for appearing in the AME Licence Examination
Four years general experience :in the field of aircraft maintenance engineering is required.
The quantum of specific experience relevant to the category of AME licence for appearing in
paper III varies with the type of category applied for and is generally between one to two years.
Specific experience including recent experience requirement relevant to the particular aircraft /
engine/ system also varies with the type of aircraft, engines and systems and is about one year.
Detailed information in this regard is available in CAR Section 2 Series 'L' part I.
4.4 Certification of experience
All applicants for BAMEC/AME examination should maintain personal log book wherein all the
experience gained on aircraft, engine and systems should be recorded system-wise also
indicating the type of maintenance schedules carried out. This work should be certified by the
Engineer-in-charge, shift Incharge/ Superitendent, as the case may be since in many cases,
particularly in the case of technicians/apprentices, airlines/operators do not keep record as to how
the applicants lave been deployed and what experience they have gained. 'The applicants should
also forward along with their Applications details of the work done during the last six months
mentioning the details of the aircraft, engines and tile systems and the type of schedules carried
out. Such information will help the Central Examination Organisation to correctly evaluate the
experience of the candidate and to avoid any delay on this account. Sample sheet for on the job

training is contained in the application form CA-9.

Unemployed applicants are permitted to certify their previous experience. In the event of
authorised persons declining to certify the experience gained, the candidate may approach the
regional airworthiness office of DGCA for an authentication of the personal log book which shall
then be accepted to account for the experience requirements.
Initially a candidate is allowed to appear in the examination of one category of basic
examination after acquiring three years' experience. For additional category in the same stream,
additional experience will be required. Similarly, to change from mechanical to avionics stream a
person will have to again acquire additional experience in the particular field before he is allowed
to appear in the B.AAMC in the Avionics Stream and vice-versa. The details of such experience
requirements are given in CAR Series L Part I.
4.5 Certain Relaxations in Experience Requirements-.
Aircraft Rules provide some relaxation to certain categories of persons from part of the
experience requirements for issuance of AME licence, which are described below:
1. Engineering graduates holding aeronautical engineering degree by 18 months in the
categories of airframe and engines.
2. Engineering graduates holding degree in mechanical and electrical engineering by 12
months in the relevant categories.
3. Engineering graduates holding degree in electronics/ telecommunications engineering or
other allied disciplines by 12 months in the relevant category.
4. Applicants who have satisfactorily completed training in Institutes approved by DGCA,
experience requirements are relaxed by one year.
5. Applicants desirous of appearing for licence examinations on gliders (non-powered
aeroplanes) are permitted to appear in the examination after a total experience of two years.
Note: An applicant can acquire concurrent experience in the 'Mechanical Stream' i.e. in airframe
and engine field or in any two systems of 'Avionics Stream', i.e. electrical, instruments or radio
systems.
5. BAMEC AND AME LICENCE EXAMINATIONS
The examinations consist of two parts, i.e. written examination followed by oral-cum-practical
test.
5.1 WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS
5.1.1 The written examinations for issuance of BAMEC and AME licence are conducted by the
Central Examination Organisation (CEO), which is a directorate under the I)GCA. The CEO is
located at East Block III, R.K.Puram, New Delhi-] 10066 (Tel: 6109008). These examinations are
conducted thrice a year in the months of February, June and October at various field offices of
DGCA viz., New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Calcutta, Kanpur, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna,
Lucknow, Bhopal, Gawahati and Thiruvananthapuram.
The written examinations comprise of papers on Basic Subjects and Specific Subjects.
(a) BASIC SUBJECTS
The Basic Subjects examination consist of the following three papers:
i) Paper I - Rules and Regulations

Paper I covers subjects of Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements on airworthiness etc., as
detailed in the syllabus. This paper contains multiple-choice as well as essay type questions. The
minimum pass percentage is 70% in multiple choice and 60% for essay type questions. This
paper is common to all categories of BAMEC or AME Licences. The applicant, who has once
passed Paper I, is not required to appear in this paper at any time thereafter.
ii) Paper II : General Engineering and Workshop Practices:
Paper II covers questions pertaining to general engineering, workshop practices, basic electricity
and electronics, basic knowledge of computers etc. as detailed in the syllabus. This paper
contains multiple choice as well as essay type questions. The minimum 1)ass percentage is 70%
in multiple,-choice and 60% for essay type questions. This paper is common to all ,Categories of
BAMEC or AME licences. The applicant, who has once passed Paper II, will not be required to
appear in this paper at any time thereafter.
iii) Paper III (General Airframe, Engines or Systems)
This paper contains questions on the basic principles and general theory of any one category of
light aeroplanes, heavy aeroplanes, helicopters, piston engines, jet engines, electrical system,
instrument system or radio system, as prescribed in the syllabus for each category. This paper
will also contain multiple-choice questions as well as essay type. The minimum pass percentage
is 70% in multiple-choice and 60% for essay type. The applicant 'Who once passes this paper in
any category is not required to appear in that category any time thereafter.
Note- The detailed syllabi for all the papers, i.e. Paper-1, PaperI II, and Paper-III is a priced
publication and is available at English Book Store, 'L' Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110
001.
(b) SPECIFIC SIJBJECTS

PAPER IV
The Specific Subjects examination consists of only one written paper, i.e. Paper IV on a particular
type of aircraft, engine or aircraft systems. This paper covers questions pertaining to
maintenance, overhaul, repair, construction, etc. as applicable to the particular type of airframe
/engine/ systems on which the AME licence is desired. This paper normally contains multiplechoice questions and minimum pass percentage is 70%. The applicants, who successfully
complete the DGCA approved or manufacturer's training course on the particular type of airframe/
engine/ systems, are also considered to have passed this paper and are therefore exempted from
this paper.
Note: An applicant is permitted to appear in Paper-IV (Specific) or attend the approved training
course on the type of airframe/engine/systems only when he has the basic papers I & 11 and
paper III relevant to the of AME licence.
5.2 ORAL-CUM-PRACTICAL TEST FOR AME LICENCE
Applicants who are successful in Paper IV or the approved course, are thereafter required to pass
an oral-cum-practical examination to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in the maintenance of
aircraft. The oral-cum-practical test is by a DGCA board. The board includes one external from
the industry as an expert on the type of aircraft/engine/systems. The minimum pass percentage
of this 70%. An applicant can avail a maximum of three chances for oral-cum-practical test within
a period of 24 months from the date of passing of Paper IV or successful completion of the DGCA
approved course. Applicants who are fit successful in three attempts shall have to pass a

refresher course to avail an addition chance of oral-cum-practical test. If not successful in the
additional attempt, he has to repeat the main approved course.
6. SPECIAL PERMISSION FOR APPEARING IN AME LICENCE EXAMINATIONS
6 1 GRADUATE ENGINEER TRAINEE (GET) SCHEME
DGCA has introduced GET scheme for operators who have requirement of a large number of
AMEs. Under this scheme, graduate engineers are recruited by the operators and given
extensive theoretical and practical training both in basic and specific subjects relating to the
aircraft type operated by them. Applicants, who are recruited under the approved GET schemes,
as given in (CAR Series 'L' Part XII, are permitted to appear in Paper I, II & III after satisfactorily
completing curriculums of first year, second year and third year respectively.
6.2 CANDIDATES OF AME TRAINING INSTITUTES APPROVED BY DGCA
DGCA has approved certain institutes which impart ab-initio training in the field of aircraft
maintenance engineering. The training curriculum and the facilities of these institutes are required
to meet the standards stipulated by DGCA. Applicants from such institutes are permitted to
appear in Paper I, II & III after satisfactorily completing curriculums of first year, second year and
third year respectively.
6.3 The period of training of GET candidates and the candidates from approved training
institutions is treated equivalent to practical aviation maintenance engineering (Experience for the
purpose of appearing in DGCA licence examination.
7. PROCEDURE OF EXAMINATIONS
The applicants are required to submit their applications on the prescribed form CA-9 as given
in CAR Section 2 Series L Part-II, alongwith a fee of Rs. 100 for each category of AME licence or
BAMEC examination applied for well in advance, to the Central Examination Organisation, o/o
Director General of Civil Aviation, East Block III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi 110 066. The
applications should be forwarded by the QCM of the Organisation where the applicants are
working alongwith a consolidated crossed Bank Draft in favour of the Accounts Officer, Central
Pay and Accounts Office, Civil Aviation Departiment, New Delhi, payable at any scheduled bank
at New Delhi. The QCM should also ensure that the applications have been filled in correctly and
that the applicants meet the requirements including the experience requirements for appearing in
the examinations in the categories applied for. The QCM should also ensure that the applicant
has covered all aspects of the maintenance of the particular type of aircraft/engine/systems.
The last date of submission of applications is intimated to all maintenance organisations by
the CEO.
The applications received at the CEO till the specified last date are scrutinised to assess the
eligibility for appearing in the examinations applied for. The accepted candidates are issued with
'admit cards' giving their roll number, the centre, the date and time for each paper of the
examination.
As explained above, the examination consists of multiple-choice questions and also essay
type questions.
The multiple-choice type questions are required to be answered on special Optical Mark
Reader (OMR) sheets provided to the candidates at the centre. The answer sheets of candidates
are evaluated with the help of' special computers using OMR technology to ensure speedy and
unbiased evaluation. Final results are prepared by the computer system on the basis of marks
obtained by the candidates in the multiple choice and the essay type questions. The result is

promptly intimated to the candidates.

The candidates who pass all the written papers and are qualified and eligible to appear in
oral-cum-practical test for issue or extension of AME licence, are intimated accordingly. They
should contact the local Airworthiness Office of DGCA for suitable date for oral-cum-practical
examination.
8. EXEMPTIONS FROM APPEARING IN CERTAIN EXAMI NATIONS
8.1 The Government may grant exemption from general papers to those candidates of
engineering institutions awarding degree in Aeronautical/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics
engineering, who have passed during their course papers on Aircraft Rules, general engineering
and workshop practices, theory of flight, aircraft structures, theory of internal combustion engines,
basic electronics, basic communication .systems, electrical systems and aircraft instrument
systems, with syllabi approved by DGCA. Such candidates may be allowed to appear for specific
paper examinations after gaining 24 months practical experience on airframe/engines/systems of
aircraft of all up weight of 5,700 Kg or above and after 12 months practical experience on aircraft
with all up weight below 5,700 Kg.
8.2 Aircraft Rules also provide for exemption from certain tests or parts of tests to persons
holding AME licences issued by foreign regulatory aviation authorities who are contracting states
of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
8.3 Aircraft Rules also provide that the defence personnel may be exempted from the
multiple-choice questions of Paper 11 and/or Paper III relating to the category in which they have
been trained and have acquired sufficient experience in the related field. However, they are
required to appear in essay type questions of all the written papers. The experience of the
defence personnel in the electrical, instruments or other avionics trade is also accepted for the
purpose of granting AME licence in categories 'E', '1', 'R' or 'V' for which they have to produce
satisfactory evidence of their having undergone an approved training course in the relevant field,
oil large transport aircraft.
9. ISSUANCE OF BAMEC OR AME LICENCE
Applicants who meet all the above mentioned requirements may apply for issuance of a BAMEC
or AME licence to the Director of Airworthiness, office of the DGCA, Opposite Safdarjung Airport,
New Delhi I I 0 003 alongwith the following documents:
o application form duly filled in and signed by the applicant
o attested copies of certificates of educational
o qualifications and age
o attested copies of papers I, II and III for issue of BAMEC
o attested of pass result of oral-cum-practical test for issue of AME licence
o medical certificate in original from a registered MBBS doctor to the effect that the
applicant is not suffering from any physical disability and colour blindness
o Fee of Rs. 100 in the form of a bank draft/postal order payable to CP&AO, CAD, New
Delhi.
If all the documents are found satisfactory, the applicant is issued the applicable BAMEC or AME
licence.
10. INFORMATION CENTER
For the purpose of serving the public in a better and efficient manner, DGCA has established a
computerised information centre at the entrance gate of CEO office, from where the candidates
can get all necessary information regarding DGCA licence examinations.