Is it the same as being a pilot?

No. Pilots fly the aircraft. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers make sure it is safe to fly. Boeing’s outlook says the world will need more new technicians (728,000) than pilots (674,000) within the next 20 years.

Will AI replace this job?

AI can support, but only a certified human engineer can certify an aircraft as airworthy. Every aircraft must still be inspected and approved by a licensed person.

Do I need to speak Italian?

No. The course is taught in English: lessons, revision seminars and exams. Before you leave Sri Lanka you receive a free 1-month basic Italian course to help with everyday life.

An Italian student visa (national “D” visa), applied for through VFS. We guide you through the application.

Can students work part-time?

Yes, within limits. Non-EU students with a study residence permit can work up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 1,040 hours a year.

Is it a career for girls too?

Absolutely. Aircraft maintenance is a safe, professional and well-respected career, open to everyone. Precision, logic and problem-solving matter most, and the licence is the same for everyone.

AEA training hangar with aircraft and students

In partnership with Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA)

Successfully completed your O Levels?

Follow a pathway to becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in Italy.

MH Aviation Asia is AEA’s partner in Sri Lanka. We prepare you here in Sri Lanka, then you live and study in Bergamo, Italy, at Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA), an EASA Part-147 Approved Maintenance Training Organisation.

Book a free information session View the course

No previous experience neededHands-on learningLive and study in Italy

Our partner

Meet AEA: Aircraft Engineering Academy

AEA is an EASA Part-147 Approved Maintenance Training Organisation in Bergamo, Italy, approved by the Italian authority ENAC (IT.147.0019) and set up in 2018. Students learn through classroom theory, workshop practice and work on real aircraft in AEA’s own training hangar.

The Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA) project was born from the experience of South East Aviation Services (SEAS), one of Europe’s leading Part-145 aircraft maintenance organizations, with more than 20 operational bases across Europe.

Founded 2018ENAC approvedBergamo, ItalyTraining hangar

AEA’s Partners

Visit AEA ↗

AEA students and instructors with a training aircraft

The track record of Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA)

Italy’s EASA Part-147 Approved Maintenance Training Organisation

1,050+students certified by AEA

90%of AEA ex-students employed

Since 2018training aircraft technicians in Bergamo

The job

Pilots fly the plane. You make it safe to fly.

Before every flight, a trained expert checks the aircraft and approves it as safe. That expert is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

CheckRepairApprove

Hands-on. Real aircraft. A career with a future.

Instructor and students working on a propeller assembly

More technicians than pilots

New people needed globally within the next 20 years:

Aircraft maintenance technicians

728,000

Pilots

674,000

Source: Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook

An engineer inspecting an aircraft engine by hand

AI-safe

Software can help. A licensed engineer decides.

AI can support, but only a certified human engineer can certify an aircraft as airworthy.

Why AEA stands out

An EASA Part-147 school, born from a leading EASA Part-145 organisation

EASA Part-145 · Approved Maintenance Organisation

SEAS

South East Aviation Services

One of Europe’s leading Part-145 aircraft maintenance organisations, and the experience Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA) was born from.

20+operational bases across Europe

~400aviation maintenance technicians

150aircraft kept airworthy

160,000+maintenance actions every year

ENAC certifiedEASA Part-145Registered office in BergamoVisit SEAS ↗

EASA Part-147 · Maintenance Training Organisation

AEA

Aircraft Engineering Academy, Bergamo

2
Two aviation authoritiesPart-147 approvals from both Italy’s ENAC and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK.147.0154)
1st
Academic partnershipA 2026 agreement with Uninettuno University, reported as Italy’s first national university hub for aviation training.
2
Two hub citiesBergamo and Messina

Part-147

You learn

EASA Part-147 approved training organisation: your school in Bergamo, Italy.

Part-66

You qualify

The Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence and its qualification framework.

Part-145

You gain experience

EASA Part-145 approved maintenance organisations where you work on real aircraft.

See AEA’s certifications ↗

Living and studying in Italy

Two years in Italy. A hangar for a classroom.

Studying with AEA means moving to Bergamo in northern Italy and building a life there while you train. You live in Italy, study in Italy and learn on real aircraft.

Live in Bergamo for about 2 years of study
Study and train at AEA: classrooms, workshops and its own hangar
Start with a free basic Italian course before you fly
Choose your own accommodation, such as a shared room
Get your Italian study visa with our guidance

Duomo di MilanoMilan

Your free time

Bergamo, with Milan a short trip away

Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA) is in Bergamo, in Lombardy, northern Italy. Milan, one of Europe’s fashion and design capitals, is close by, so your days off come with world-famous sights.

Your journey

From Sri Lanka to your licence

✈

EnquireTell us about your education and goals in Sri Lanka.
ApplyWe help prepare and submit your documents.
VisaGuidance through the Italian study visa checklist.
Prepare1 month of free basic Italian before you fly.
Study at AEAB1.1 basic training in Bergamo, about 2 years.
LicenceCertificate of Recognition, then your licence application.

Before you fly

With MH Aviation Asia, in Sri Lanka

Counselling for you and your family
Help with your application and documents
Guidance on the Italian study visa
Free basic Italian course (1 month)
Straight answers on costs

Once you arrive

With Aircraft Engineering Academy (AEA), in Italy

B1.1 training in English, 2,450 hours
Optional B2 Avionics extension
Workshops, hangar and real aircraft
Exams and your Certificate of Recognition
An EASA Part-147 Approved Maintenance Training Organisation

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1Question 1 of 7

Can I start right after my O Levels?

Yes. You can start right after your O Levels, with no need to wait for your A/Ls. Anyone who has completed their O Levels can join us.

More questions? We share our full FAQ guide with every family, and we are happy to answer anything else. Get in touch