If you want to take the next step in your pilot career, the proper resume can help you obtain a better position and continue to do what you love. Learn how to write a pilot resume and showcase your skills from flight planning and passenger communication to following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations with these tips. You’ll also find examples and templates to help you get started.

Most Popular Pilot Resumes

Why this pilot resume example is strong:

 

This pilot resume summarizes the candidate’s experience in the profile statement and immediately lists the candidate’s flight hours in an easy-to-scan format.


Why this pilot resume example is strong:

 

This resume uses bulleted lists to make it easy for hiring managers to scan for important information such as flight hours, skills, and certifications.


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Why this pilot resume example is strong:

 

This senior-level resume uses specific statistics to illustrate the candidate's experience and continues to list important skills and certifications in bulleted lists that are easy to read.


Why this aviation pilot resume example is strong:

 

This resume emphasizes the candidate's relevant flight hours and experience in a structured format, making it easy for hiring managers to identify qualifications. For more tips on how to structure your resume, check out this guide on best resume formats.


Why this commercial pilot resume example is strong:

 

This resume effectively showcases the candidate's extensive flight hours and experience in cargo transport, appealing to employers in the commercial aviation sector. For tips on listing your skills, visit this guide on resume skills.


Why this student pilot resume example is strong:

 

This resume highlights the candidate's foundational skills and relevant experiences as a flight intern, making it appealing for entry-level aviation positions. For guidance on what to include in your resume, visit this resource on what to put on a resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume emphasizes the candidate’s military experience and specialized skills, making it appealing for roles requiring precision and leadership in aviation. For more tips on listing certifications and skills, check out this resource on how to list certifications on your resume.


Why this charter pilot resume example is strong:

 

This resume highlights the candidate’s charter flight experience and customer service skills, appealing to potential employers in the private aviation sector. For tips on showcasing your experience, check out this guide on how to list your experience on a resume.


Why this corporate pilot resume example is strong:

 

This resume effectively showcases the candidate’s corporate aviation experience and client service focus, making it attractive for employers seeking professional pilots. For more insights on structuring your resume, visit this resource on best resume formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume emphasizes the candidate’s specialized experience in drone piloting, showcasing flight hours and practical applications in industries like construction and real estate. For more tips on resume skills, visit Resume Skills.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume highlights both the flight instructor’s technical expertise and teaching experience, with a strong focus on student development and safety. The metrics, like high exam pass rates, strengthen the resume by demonstrating concrete results. For tips on structuring your resume, visit Resume Summary Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume positions the candidate as both an experienced drone operator and a leader, highlighting team management and technical expertise. Metrics such as project turnaround time improvements enhance its impact. For more on showcasing leadership, visit Resume Outline Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume clearly lists the candidate’s flight hours and includes leadership experience in managing in-flight crews, key for airline pilot roles. The focus on international flight experience and regulatory compliance strengthens its appeal. Learn more about optimizing your flight experience with Resume Skills.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume highlights both the candidate’s flight hours and specialized drone applications, from commercial filming to surveying. The focus on high-quality results and FAA compliance enhances the candidate's appeal for commercial drone piloting roles. For more insights on showcasing your skills, check out How to List Certifications on Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume showcases the candidate's extensive flight hours, international flight experience, and commitment to safety, which are key for airline pilots. Including certifications and specialized skills solidifies the candidate’s qualifications. For more tips on best resume formats, check out Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume effectively highlights the candidate’s leadership skills and accomplishments in flight operations management, emphasizing process improvements and regulatory compliance. Metrics such as the 15% improvement in on-time performance help to demonstrate tangible success. For more on how to highlight leadership experience, visit Resume Outline Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume clearly highlights the candidate’s relevant drone pilot experience, with specific industries and applications, such as real estate and environmental surveys. Including key certifications like the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate strengthens the candidate’s qualifications. For more on certifications, visit How To List Certifications on Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume effectively highlights the candidate’s foundational flight experience as a private pilot and includes an internship to show a commitment to expanding skills. Including flight hours and certifications helps demonstrate the candidate’s preparedness for future career advancement. Learn more about listing your education on your resume at How To List Your Education on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume effectively showcases the candidate’s extensive experience as an airline captain, including leadership and flight safety expertise. Including key metrics, such as flight hours and international route experience, highlights the candidate’s qualifications for senior-level aviation roles. For tips on best resume formats, check out Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume highlights the candidate’s military flight experience, including tactical operations and training roles, showcasing both technical and leadership skills. The resume appeals to employers seeking pilots with specialized and high-pressure experience by emphasizing mission success rates and training. For more tips on listing your experience, visit What To Put on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume highlights the candidate’s experience in corporate aviation and emphasizes the importance of customer service alongside technical flight skills. It focuses on key metrics such as flight hours and experience with high-profile clients, which are important for corporate pilot roles. For more on how to structure your resume, check out Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume highlights the candidate’s organizational skills, focusing on flight scheduling, crew coordination, and safety compliance. Key metrics such as reducing delays by 15% demonstrate the candidate's ability to optimize operations. For tips on structuring your resume, check out Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

This resume highlights the candidate’s specific experience in corporate aviation, focusing on client relationships, safety, and flight operations. The candidate demonstrates both technical skills and customer service expertise by including metrics like flight hours and client relationship building. For more insights on structuring your resume, check out Best Resume Formats.


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Pilot Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level Airline Pilot
  • Mid-Career Airline Pilot
  • Senior-level Airline Pilot
  • Aviation Pilot
  • Commercial Pilot
  • Student Pilot
  • Air Force Pilot
  • Charter Pilot
  • Corporate Pilot
  • Drone Pilot
  • Flight Instructor
  • Drone Operations Manager
  • Pilot
  • Commercial Drone Pilot
  • Airline Pilot
  • Flight Operations Manager
  • Mid-Level Drone Pilot
  • Private Pilot
  • Airline Captain
  • Military Pilot
  • Corporate Jet Pilot
  • Flight Operations Specialist
  • Corporate Aviation Pilot

April Lin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, San Diego, CA 12345

Profile

An airline pilot with 1.5K+ hours of flight time, specializing in commercial flights, navigation, aviation, and flight safety. Adept at communicating and coordinating with flight teams in high-pressure situations to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crews.

Flight Hours
  • Flight Time: 1,500 hours
  • Pilot in Command (PiC): 700 hours
  • Second in Command (SiC): 800 hours
  • Night: 480 hours
  • X-Country: 420 hours
Professional Experience

Airline Pilot, Southwest Airlines, San Diego, CA
July 2020 – Present

  • Serve as pilot in command (PiC) for commercial airline flights, create flight plans, and operate Boeing 747-400 aircrafts
  • Coordinate with first officer and flight crews to ensure the safety of passengers and compliance with state and federal regulations
  • Conduct pre-flight inspections on commercial airplanes, identify defects and issues, and create reports on required maintenance
  • Evaluate weather conditions prior to flights and alter flight plans accordingly

Second in Command, Air Charter Services, San Diego, CA
May 2018– July 2020

  • Provided flight and navigation support to the pilot in command (PiC) as the second officer, which included adjusting flight plans based on weather conditions and turbulence
  • Performed safety inspections, interfaced with maintenance teams, and ensured adherence to federal aviation laws and regulations
Education
  • Flight Training Program, California Aeronautical University, Bakersfield, CA | May 2016 – May 2018
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Aeronautical Science, California Aeronautical University, Bakersfield, CA | September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
  • Commercial Aviation
  • Flight Plans
  • Navigation
  • Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
  • Flight Safety
Certifications
  • Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP), 2018
  • First Class FAA Medical Certificate, 2016
  • Commercial Pilot License (CPL), 2016

How To Write a Pilot Resume

1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications

On a pilot resume, the profile summary should let a hiring manager know how much experience you have and what you’re trained to fly. It’s important to include the number of hours of flight time you’ve accumulated, which planes you’ve flown, and any other details relevant to the job, such as whether you prefer short- or long-distance flights. Look for opportunities to include keywords from the job description in this section, such as collaborating with the flight crews or handling changing weather conditions.

Senior-Level Profile Example


An airline pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight time specializing in flight planning, Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), flight operations, and FAA regulations. A strong history of planning and executing long-distance commercial flights under various weather conditions. Expertise in the operation and maintenance of Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A350 aircraft.

Entry-Level Profile Example


An airline pilot with over 1,500 hours of flight time, specializing in commercial flights, navigation, aviation, and flight safety. Adept at communicating and coordinating with flight teams in high-pressure situations to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crews.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

It’s important that your resume reflects your experience and skills as a pilot, and the bulk of this will happen in the professional work history section. This is where you list your previous (and current) job and what you accomplished in each role. While the basic duties may be the same, focus your bullets on numbers, such as how many flights you piloted and what was unique about that position. This helps hiring managers understand your background and whether you may fit their companies well.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example


Pilot in Command (PIC)
Delta Airlines, Boston, MA | August 2016-present

  • Execute over 400 successful cross-country flights as the PIC, determine cancellations and flight delays based on aircraft condition and weather, and identify optimal changes to flight plans to ensure the safety of crews and passengers
  • Manage the second in command (SIC), air hostesses, and crews, ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and company policies, evaluate performance, and provide coaching and mentorship
  • Communicate with passengers to deliver briefings on expected flight times, delays, scheduling changes, and weather conditions

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example


Second in Command
Air Charter Services, San Diego, CA | May 2018– July 2020

  • Provided flight and navigation support to the PIC as the second officer, which included adjusting flight plans based on weather conditions and turbulence
  • Performed safety inspections, interfaced with maintenance teams, and ensured adherence to federal aviation laws and regulations

3. Include relevant education and certifications

Showing you have the proper education and training to fly safely is an important part of creating a pilot resume. List any formal degrees you have and where you completed your flight training. Additional certifications, such as Certified FAA Airline Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor, should also be included in this section to show a hiring manager you have extra skills and qualifications that make you a stronger candidate.

Education

Template

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]

Example

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Aeronautical Science
  • Legacy Aviation, Philadelphia, PA – May 2014

Certifications

Template

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

Example

  • FAA First Class Medical, 2013

4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies

As a pilot, you have many technical skills in flying, but you also have to utilize other professional skills. It’s important to include a key skills list in your resume that lets you highlight your qualifications and abilities outside of the actual flying of the plane.

For example, pilots must be clear-headed and work well under pressure when inclement weather, an equipment failure, or a passenger causing a disturbance. Pilots also need strong leadership skills to manage the crew. Check out these examples if you need help listing things in this section.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Aeronautical science Aircraft technology
ATP Aviation
Commercial aviation Cross-country flights
Equipment maintenance FAA First Class Medical
FAA regulations FARs
Flight operations Flight planning
Flight safety Multi-engine
Navigation PIC
Piloting Preventative maintenance
Risk management SIC
Spatial awareness Turbine engine
Team management

How To Pick the Best Pilot Resume Template

Pilot resumes are slightly different from other resumes because you’ll list your hours of flight experience in addition to the everyday experience, education, and skills sections. Using a pilot resume template set up for this can make it easier to plug in your information and hit the submit application button. Your resume reflects you, so make sure any template you choose has a simple design that’s easy to skim and looks professional.

Frequently Asked Questions: Pilot Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for pilot resumes?-

Action verbs are strong verbs that help convey your qualifications and experience more effectively. But it can be challenging to develop a unique word every time you start another bullet, especially if you're an experienced pilot with a long work history. Use our list of common action verbs for pilot resumes below to spark your creativity and ensure every word on your resume positions you in a positive light.

Action Verbs
Assessed Communicated
Conducted Controlled
Coordinated Ensured
Evaluated Executed
Flew Guided
Led Managed
Monitored Operated
Oversaw Performed
Radioed Resolved
Steered Updated
How do you align your resume with a job description?-

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the piloting industry to continue to grow at an average rate through 2031. And while that's good news, pilot jobs are already competitive, which means this will likely continue to be the case. Ensure your resume gets noticed and is aligned with the job description by including skills, keywords, education, and even specific phrases from the job description. This helps your resume get in front of human eyes and gives you a better chance of a hiring manager identifying you as a good fit.

What is the best pilot resume format?-

Pilots have unique careers, which often require an impressive resume format. They need to focus on their technical skills and amount of experience but also show work history and soft skills. A combination resume that you can customize by adding sections for your flight hours is a good option that lets you take the best parts of the reverse chronological and functional designs and put them together.

How many pages should my pilot resume be?-

Generally, a pilot resume should be one page for candidates with fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume is acceptable if you’re a seasoned professional with extensive accomplishments—but only if it provides meaningful details that strengthen your application. Tailor your content to the job, focusing on your most relevant qualifications.

Work history should typically cover the last 10 to 15 years. Older positions can be excluded or briefly summarized unless they’re highly relevant. A concise, focused resume demonstrates your ability to prioritize and communicate effectively.

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Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume

The final piece of your application packet should be a targeted cover letter that goes along with your resume. Your cover letter should explain why you're a good fit for the job and how you can provide value to the company. Remember that your cover letter should focus on how you can fill the company's needs — not what the job may mean for your career or development.

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