Career Overview
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers keep aircraft airworthy — inspecting, maintaining, repairing and certifying planes so they are safe to fly. No aircraft departs without an engineer's signature.
The pathway combines approved training with supervised experience. Students complete AME programmes (B1 or B2), then accumulate experience to obtain a CAASL or EASA licence, later adding type ratings.
Demand is global. Sri Lankan AMEs are heavily recruited to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and the Maldives.
What Does This Career Do?
An AME performs scheduled inspections and maintenance, troubleshoots aircraft systems, replaces and repairs components, certifies completed work, and holds legal responsibility for releasing aircraft to service.
Daily Responsibilities
Skills Required
Technical Skills
- Airframe & engine systems (B1)
- Avionics (B2)
- Maintenance manuals
- Troubleshooting
- Tools & test equipment
- Airworthiness regulations
- Human factors
- Technical English
Soft Skills
- Attention to detail
- Integrity
- Discipline
- Problem solving
- Teamwork
- Working under pressure
- Physical fitness
- Continuous learning
Education Pathway
- 1O/L (Maths & Science)
- 2A/L (Maths/Physics)
- 3Approved AME training — B1 or B2
- 4Supervised maintenance experience (2+ years)
- 5CAASL / EASA licence exams
- 6Licensed AME
- 7Type ratings → senior roles
Entry Requirements
- **After A/L:** Maths/Physics stream preferred; EASA Part-66 pathway widely pursued. - **Streams:** B1 (mechanical) or B2 (avionics). - **Licensing:** 4–6 years from A/L to licensed. - **English:** All manuals in English.
Recommended Courses
Diploma in Aviation Management
IATA Certification
Certificate in Airline & Airport Management
BSc in Aeronautical Studies
Advanced Diploma in Aviation Operations
Career Progression
- 1AME Student
- 2Aircraft Technician
- 3Certifying Technician
- 4Licensed AME (B1/B2)
- 5Type-Rated Engineer
- 6Senior / Lead Engineer
- 7Maintenance Manager → Engineering Director
Industries Hiring
Salary Summary
| Experience | Monthly Salary (LKR) |
|---|---|
| 48,000 – 80,000 | |
| 80,000 – 144,000 | |
| 160,000 – 320,000 | |
| 280,000 – 480,000 | |
| 640,000 – 1,600,000 |
The salary information on this page is intended as a general guide for students and job seekers in Sri Lanka. Actual salaries may vary depending on qualifications, experience, employer, industry, location, job responsibilities, company size, performance, market demand, and additional benefits. The figures shown are estimated monthly salary ranges and are provided for informational purposes only. They should not be considered guaranteed earnings.
Certifications That Increase Salary
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an AME earn?
How long to license?
B1 vs B2?
Physics/Maths A/L?
Type rating?
Global shortage?
EASA or CAASL?
Hands-on?
Hours?
Courses?
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