Aviation Entrance Exams

What is Aviation?

Aviation is the collective name given to all the aspects of flying. It deals with operations performed by pilots, i.e., Flying Operations, all the technical aspects, i.e., Technical Wing, the functions of the Air Crew (Air Hostesses and Flight Stewards), Air Traffic Management, and Aviation Safety, taking care of the Airport Economics and formulation and up keeping of the Regulatory Policies related to Flying. All these courses are regulated by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). ‘Civil’ here implies that these activities are not linked to the aviation operations of the Indian Air Force.

Broadly, Aviation can be classified into three main categories, namely the Air Line Division, the Technical Division and the Commercial Division. Entry into these divisions can be gained by way of various entrance examinations.

What are Aviation Entrance Exams?

All the three divisions take in students via different exams. Entry into the Technical Wing can be gained by going for courses like Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering at the graduate as well as the post-graduate levels. Exams like the JEE and the AIEE take in candidates for B.Tech in these branches. Those who wish to pursue a post-graduate course should take exams like the GATE.

Those aspiring to make a career in Aviation Management can opt for exams like the CAT or CMAT. Several institutes also conduct their own independent entrance exams.

Students who wish to become pilots do not need to take any particular entrance exam but they do have to undertake various tests at different stages of their training to obtain the requisite licenses like the Private Pilot License (PPL), the Commercial Pilot License (CPL), etc. for becoming a pilot, co-pilot or commercial pilot.

Which Courses Can One Apply to Through These Exams?

• B.E./B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering (4 years)
• B.E./B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering (4 years)
• M.E./M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering (2 years)
• M.E./M.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering (2 years)
• B.B.A. in Aviation Management (3 years)
• M.B.A. in Aviation Management (2 years)
• Diploma in Airport Management and Customer Care (1 year)
• Diploma in Airport Ground Staff Services (6 months)
• Diploma in Cabin Crew Services (1 year)

Which Are the Exams One Can Take to Make a Career in Aviation?

Technical:

• Graduate level (B.E./B.Tech)
• All India Engineering/ Architecture Entrance Examination (AIEEE)
• Delhi University Combined Entrance Examination (CEE)
• Hindustan University Entrance Test (HITSEE)
• IISAT Admission Test (IIST, Thiruvananthapuram)
• Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) conducted jointly by the IITs.
• SLIET Entrance Test (SET)
• Indian Institute of Aeronautics (IIA) Entrance Exam

• Postgraduate level (M.E./M.Tech)
• The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
• Sathyabama University M.E. Entrance Exam
• Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET)

Flying:

• Common Defense Services (CDS) Test
• NDA
• IAR

Management:

• Common Aptitude Test (CAT)
• Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT)

Who is Eligible for Them?

To be eligible for Engineering, one should take up Science (with Math) at the class 12 levels.

For Management exams, one should have an aggregate of 60 percent throughout their academic years and be a graduate in any field.

Those applying for Flying should take up Science at the class 12 levels and be at least 16 years of age at the time of commencement of training. The height requirement is 5 ft., 7 inches and 5ft., 2 inches for boys and girls respectively.