FAST FACTS
Best schools: ATC - Civil Aviation Training Colleges/Regional Training Centers Aeronautical Engineers
Colleges recognised by DGCA Qualification: ATC – Bachelor of Engineering; Aeronautical Engineers - BE (with specialisation in aeronautics)
Our advice: Technical aspects leave no room for error, accountability is high, an incidence-free record is desirable

It’s not surprising if the word aviation springs to mind images of pilots and air hostesses. Though these are important job profiles in this sector, you also have aeronautical engineers and those who work in Air Traffic Control, whose jobs are equally important, if not more so. These technical profiles ensure safe air travel, and demand error-free thinking and thorough knowledge of the job.

ATC, a 24X7 responsibility
A job in Air Traffic Control (ATC) entails operating the control systems, 24x7. You are responsible for the safety, orderly flow of air traffic and ensuring no mid-air collisions occur. Sound footing in Mathematics, ability to calculate based on aircraft specifications is required. There is no scope for ‘wait a minute,’ live aircrafts are awaiting your instructions. Peak hours, morning and late evenings have the highest flow of air traffic. The ATC is also responsible for monitoring movements of flights that are passing in its jurisdiction.

Images : Samik Sen

The radar control is exceptionally challenging, a crucial component of the ATC. You get here by proving your abilities, getting the radar rating after at least 10 years of hands-on experience. Another aspect is clearance delivery position, based on density of air traffic. Others include surface movement control, aerodrome control, and approach control unit. You need a BE degree to enter, a degree specifically in electronics helps.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) is the largest recruiter for ATC, you will be trained at Civil Aviation Training Colleges across the country and also at Regional Training Centers in all metros. Licence to practise is issued by AAI. Specific ratings are required such as the ‘Tower only,’ you can also acquire ‘Route Radar Rating’ or ‘Terminal Approach Rating.’ Decide your career graph based on your interest area, you will spend many years in a specific aspect of ATC.

Typical career progression
As a Junior Executive Trainee (JET), the basic salary offered is Rs. 16,400. In addition, you get 30 percent HRA plus loan facilities. A new recruit will take home between Rs. 25,000-Rs. 30,000. After three years, you are eligible for promotion as Assistant Manager ATC; basic salary is Rs. 20,000. After three years, you get to be Manager ATC with Rs. 24,000 as your basic. A Senior Manager would receive Rs. 29,000 as basic salary. After three years on the job, you can happily take home Rs. 62,000 including perks and station allowances, depending on the air traffic flow. The other progression stages include Assistant General Manager, Deputy GM, Additional GM, General Manager and Executive Director.

The job opportunities in ATC have been growing over the years. Along with the ever increasing growth in air traffic there is a shortage of qualified candidates. Working in ATC is not easy; it’s very challenging, leaving no space for miscalculations. You work six hour shifts, converting to 42 hours of work in a week. Throughout the year you end up working through the cycle of morning, afternoon and night shifts. Don’t worry; you get the time to rest, it’s required in order to perform on the job. In addition, you get car loans, housing loan and full health coverage for you and your family. You can also encash earned leaves.

“It’s stressful, your biological clock goes haywire, ulcer problems are common because of high intake of tea/coffee, hearing problems and eye sight problems are a given. But you are here to solve problems, whatever has to be done is immediate, there is no work to take home,” shared Sandeep Mukerjee, Senior Manager (ATC), New Delhi.

Training in various components is provided, on issues such as Bird Management, System Summarization and getting a familiarisation flight every four years is part of the parcel. There are 400-odd vacancies available at the entry level in ATC.

His love for the job shines through. From Approach Control Unit to Area Control Unit, be assured, Swaminathan, AGM (ATC), Radar Controller, New Delhi, has an on all. He sits comfortably and guides each aircraft towards a safe landing, take-off and mid air process. The stress of the enormous amount of responsibility finds no reflection in his calm voice instructing pilots.

Aeronautical engineers
Technical training is a must. You can pursue certificate, diploma and degree courses to be part of this area of aviation. It is advisable to pursue a degree course; students need to have completed their 10+2 with PCM in general. Some institutions have other criteria for eligibility. There are almost 100 institutions in India, offferng a course in aeronautical engineering. Opt for an institute having the stamp of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It is a must to help you land a job.
 

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Aeronautical engineers in India are largely absorbed by Indian Space Research Organization and the Defence Ministry. Other options available are the Civil Aviation Department, National Aeronautical Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Jobs are available abroad, especially in the US, UK, France, and Germany. The manpower at NASA comprises a large number of Indians as engineers and technical profiles, too (See Table for private airline opportunities around the world.)

Images : Graphic Rajesh Chawla

But before joining this profession, understand that there are more qualified professionals and less jobs. “This is probably not the best time to get into the sector. In terms of the job, you must be very practical in approach as many lives are dependant on one person for their safety. “Safety is a top concern,” says Reghu Raman, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Airworks. This sector also includes Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of aircraft. Globally, India is viewed as a cost-effective destination. It is expected that India will become the MRO hub of the future. This is option is already used by some Middle East airlines. It is expected to pick up in the near future, creating more job opportunities for aeronautical engineers, as well as in ATC.

Upcoming courses
The Lavasa Corporation and the US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology plan to offer an executive programme in Airport and Airline Systems. The Indian Institute of Aerospace Engineering and Management, in affiliation with Jain University plans to offer an MBA and MTech course in avionics and aeronautics management. Six streams of aeronautical engineering are available as well as postgraduate courses in aircraft production management; aircraft design and development, and avionics.

 

IGNOU has tied up with Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) Academy; students can purse a two-year MBA programme or a one-year Advanced Diploma Course in Airport Operations Management and Air Cargo Management. You can also choose six-month certificate courses in Airport Ramp Handling; Rescue and Fire Fighting; and Security and Intelligence. These courses can give you an edge in your job search over the others.

A word of caution
Remember to do your research well. The aviation sector is presently not very stable, so make your entry as smooth as possible. Be prepared to take on responsibility as lives are dependent on a job done well by you. Try to ensure an ‘incidence-free’ record, as each error made by you will impact your career. Though you have received specific training to reach here, this will remain an ongoing process throughout your work life. 

Louis W. Piper, Jr President & CEO, QualPro Strategies, Inc, CA, USA Piper has 30 years of experience and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and advance studies in Astro-Physics, Operations Research/Quality Control, Business Administration and Finance. Q. What are the new avenues in aeronautical engineering? A. Aircraft programmes such as Dreamliner B-787 demonstrate another aspect of need, Programme Management skills. A Programme Manager needs to be more than a note taker, email writer and experienced Microsoft Officer user. The PM has a need for instincts that can sort out a truth from a lie, an ability ‘to see and smell’ progress over what might be presented on a PowerPoint presentation in a conference room. Q. And any new developments in the sector? A. Management teams must elevate their skills to better manage the business, not just promote the best mechanic with hands-on knowledge. A new need is use of Information Technology to move the business forward and improve quality, cost structure, efficiency and oversight. In the OEM (Other Equipment Manufacturer) sector, say Boeing or Airbus, these IT skills are enormous. In the MRO sector, these skills are somewhat less needed, looked at as a pure cost and not as a strategic asset, as of now.