When you join Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) Colleges in India, you will study both theory and practical skills. This course is designed to teach you how to keep aircraft safe and working well. It’s a mix of classroom learning and workshop/lab practicals.
In most AME programs in India, practical sessions begin early in the course, often during the first or second semester. The exact timing varies by institute and the way the curriculum is organized. Practical training usually runs alongside classroom theory. It may start after a few weeks of theory classes or soon after basic safety and workshop orientation is completed.
Practical sessions are an essential part of the AME curriculum. They are not just optional add-ons but are built into the course schedule. These sessions continue through the remaining semesters and may even extend to external training with aviation maintenance organisations.
Once practical training begins, you will work in labs or hangars. Here you will learn hands-on skills such as:
Using aviation tools and equipment
Taking apart and assembling aircraft parts
Troubleshooting systems
Working on live components under instructor supervision
This is where theory turns into real skills.
Some practical work may happen in CAR 145 approved maintenance organisations or partner facilities. This gives you real-world exposure beyond campus labs.
Practical sessions are usually scheduled during regular college hours during weekdays. Some institutes include evening or weekend time slots for workshops based on equipment availability. Most programs ensure that theory and practical go hand-in-hand every semester.
Depending on the program, part of the practical training may also happen off campus at airline or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) facilities, especially in later semesters. Students may spend several hours each week on hands-on training while continuing their theory classes at college.
Students get to apply what they learn in textbooks. Practical exposure builds confidence and makes you job-ready. It improves problem-solving and gives you a clear view of real aircraft maintenance work. Many recruiters prefer candidates who have completed good practical training exposure.
While practical sessions are very valuable, they can also be busy and intensive. You may need to manage time well between theory, practical classes, and assessments. Sometimes workshops may feel challenging at first, especially if equipment access is limited due to high demand. However, this hard work usually pays off in real skills and better career chances.
practical sessions in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering start relatively early, often within the first months of joining. They continue throughout the course, helping you build hands-on skills needed for a successful aviation maintenance career. Always check with your specific institute about exact schedules and practical training partners, as these details can vary slightly from one AME college to another.