Aviation is a broad field encompassing all aspects of air travel and aerospace — from piloting aircraft and air traffic control, to aircraft maintenance, airport operations, aerospace engineering, and emerging roles like drone operation. It matters greatly because it enables global transportation, connects economies, drives tourism, and ensures aviation standards in safety, innovation, and efficiency.
Ideal candidates have:
Strong in STEM (especially physics & math)
Possess excellent communication, situational awareness, and decision-making skills
Reliable, team-friendly, calm under pressure, with good health & vision
In India: Class 12 with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), ≥50% aggregate, plus Class II medical clearance by DGCA.
Abroad: High school diploma with good grades, proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), sometimes medical fitness certification or relevant experience
India:
CUET, LPU NEST, JMI Entrance Exam, SSAT for BSc Aviation
AME-CET for aircraft maintenance & BBA Aviation
DGCA pilot aptitude tests (WOMBAT) for CPL
JEE Main/Advanced for B.Tech aerospace/aeronautical engineering
Global equivalent:
Entrance and portfolio requirements vary by university; often include academic transcripts, English tests, personal essays, and sometimes prior exposure to aviation
Pilot training and BSc: Bombay Flying Club, Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RAAGAT, Kerala), Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)
Central university: Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (Amethi, UP)
BBA/BSc Aviation & airport management: Galgotias University, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Parul University, NMIMS, LPU, Wingsss College
Florida Tech (USA): BS Aviation Human Factors & Flight Meteorology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Asia campus in Singapore): BSc Aeronautics
University of South Australia: BAv Management
BSc Aviation / BBA Aviation: 3 years; includes aircraft operations, safety, airport management, air transport economics, flight safety, and internships
B.Tech Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering: 4 years; math, physics, propulsion, structures, avionics, design.
Pilot training/CPL: Academic ground school + flying hours + aptitude tests + DGCA/license. BSc pilots might do this alongside degree.
Pilots (Co-pilot → Captain)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME)
Air Traffic Controllers (ATC)
Airport/Airline Operations Managers
Cabin Crew, Ground Staff, Flight Dispatchers
Aerospace Engineers, Drone Operators, Aviation Safety Managers
MBA in Aviation Management
PG Diplomas (e.g., in airport operations, aviation finance)
Masters in Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Safety, Human Factors
Pilot instructor roles or specialized technical training
Technical expertise in aerodynamics, systems, maintenance
Soft skills: teamwork, communication, crisis management, leadership
Analytical, operational planning, safety procedures, regulatory knowledge.
Flight simulators; avionics systems (e.g. Garmin, Honeywell)
CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks) for aeronautical engineering
Aviation management systems (airport operations, scheduling, safety compliance).