As per the name, Aircraft Maintenace Engineer is the person responsible for maitaining an aircraft in airworthy condition, i.e. safe to fly in accordance to the category of the license issued to the AME. Basically an AME inspect aircraft befor flight and take necessary retification action for any snag, if any. There are too many aircrafts manufactured by different companies, having different systems from simple mechanical to complex electrical systems, so AME licenses are also classified accordingly. An AME can have license in more than one category and can legaly certify aircraft FIT TO FLY after service and inspection.
Before every flight AMEs check pilot defect report for the previous flight, for any defect during flight and if the found any defect then he carry out his maintenance practices & fully inspect the systems, untill he is 100% satisfied and only then he signs FLIGHT RELEASE CERTIFICATE, and without this certificate no pilot can fly this aiscraft. So this makes more responsible job for a licensed engineer.
In Aviation Industry this position is really a very responsible job, and people recruting men for this also understands this very well, thats why they look for appropriate licensed holder as well as his experience holder in this field. For an AME to reach at this positon takes years to gain enough experience and to cleare his specific paper. Aircraft Maintenances are classified according to the constructional features of an aircraft, such as Engine / Power plant, Airframe / Structure, Avionics / Instruments. These are important if we consider an aircraft design. Hence each AMEs are licensed in different categories according to this (Cat A,B,C,D,E,I,R,X etc.).
To be an AME you need to join an AME training institute approved from DGCA under category-G (India). These training institutes will train you in this specific field co cleare DGCA papers and if you ex-servic Air Force, then in that case you cac also appeare in DGCA AME examination on the basis of your experience. You can also become an AME by undergoing training from an Airline industry, at the same time you are holding Engineering Degree or Diploma ( B tech / Diploma in Aeronautical / Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics).
Anytime, AME's duty is always to maintain an aircraft fit to fly and also satisfy the rules and regulations to maintain airworthiness of an aircraft according to CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS.
AME must realize his responsibilities and this thing that " All passangers onboad depend on him for their safety, and mistake done by him can risk the life of many people in danger, So before signing every flight he must be 101% sure about its safety".
by;
Mukul Sareen