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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION

Opposite Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi - 110 003

AIRWORTHINESS ADVISORY CIRCULAR NO. 2/1998

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:

i. LA - Light Aeroplane
ii. HA- Heavy Aeroplane
iii. RA - Rotary wing aircraft (helicopters)
iv. PE - Piston Engines
v. JE - Jet Engines
vi. ES - Electrical System
vii. IS - Instrument System
viii. RN - Radio Navigation System

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3. CATEGORIES OF AME LICENCES

The following categories of AME licences are are issued by DGCA

Category Sub-category

A 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

B - Overhaul of aeroplanes

Overhaul of gliders

C Piston engines

- Jet engines

A&C - Helicopters with all up weight below 3000 kg

D - Overhaul of Piston engines

E - Electrical System of Heavy Aircraft

I - Instrument System of Heavy Aircraft

R Radio Navigation System

V Avionics System of sophisticated aircraft

X 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

i. The applicant shall not be less than 20 years age;

ii. The applicant must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics or any
other equivalent qualification acceptable to DGCA;
iii. He must have passed papers I, II and III written examinations.

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iv. He must have at least three years practical aeronautical engineering experience in the field
allied to the subject for which BAMEC is sought,
v. 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

i. The applicant shall not be less than 21 years of age;

ii. He must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics or any other
equivalent qualification acceptable to DGCA;
iii. He shall have passed papers I, II and III written examination and also paper IV approved
course on the specific aircraft/engine/systems;
iv. He shall have passed the necessary oral-cum-practical examination;
v. He shall produce a medical certificate from an MBBS doctor that he doesnot have any
physical disability or colour blindness;
vi. 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.

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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:

i. Engineering graduates holding aeronautical engineering degree by 18 months in the

categories of airframe and engines.
ii. Engineering graduates holding degree in mechanical and electrical engineering by 12
months in the relevant categories.
iii. Engineering graduates holding degree in electronics/ telecommunications engineering or
other allied disciplines by 12 months in the relevant category.
iv. Applicants who have satisfactorily completed training in Institutes approved by DGCA,
experience requirements are relaxed by one year.
v. 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

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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 multiple-choice 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

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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.
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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:

application form duly filled in and signed by the applicant

attested copies of certificates of educational
qualifications and age
attested copies of papers I, II and III for issue of BAMEC
attested of pass result of oral-cum-practical test for issue of AME licence
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
Fee of Rs. 100 in the form of a bank draft/postal order payable to CP&AO,
CAD, New Delhi.
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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.

(H.S.
Khola)

Director General of Civil Aviation

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