9am: Vet the reports from operations, safety and airworthiness departments 1pm: Lunch 1.30pm: Work on malfunctioning instruments/test sets 4pm: Take the instruments to the testing lab for checking 5.30pm: Collect all reports from the boss 6.30pm: Push off for home

. It’s great if you are interested in this field and like to deal with the latest technological systems
. After retirement, you can work as an adviser or facilitator  
. Work might include bureaucratic tasks as well
. High-precision, high responsibility job - you cannot afford to err
. Can get very demanding at times
. Extremely challening and demands a lot of attention and concentration
. One should keep oneself updated with the latest technologies around airplanes
. One needs to keep a tab on the latest releases and product launches in the aviation industry

Take science with physics, chemistry and maths (PCM) in Class 12. Then go for a degree/diploma programme in aeronautical engineering. If you cannot join a conventional college, take ASIe’s Associate Membership Examination, conducted every six months, leading to a qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. Aspirants should have passed Class 12 with 50 per cent marks each in PCM. Of the 4,000 enrolees taking the exam, a hundred make the grade. ASI gives meritorious candidates a monthly stipend of R3,000 while they get on-the-job training

• PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh
• Manav Rachna International University, Delhi
• Amity University, Delhi
• Madras Institute of Technology
• Aeronautical Society of India
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
• Indira Gandhi National Open University
• IITs, Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras and Kanpur, offer degrees in aerospace engineering