Pilot Resume Template, Examples, & Writing Tips
Written By
Samuel Johns
Reviewed By Geoffrey Scott
Check out our examples and reference our detailed writing guide below to write a winning application.
Pilot resume examples by experience level
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Pilot Resume Template (Text Format)
Use the following template as a guide when you format your resume. You want to make sure your technical skills and work experience as a pilot are clearly outlined for employers:
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Fly commercial passenger aircraft in compliance with company policies and FAA aviation regulations
- Manage cockpit and crew resources, ensuring safe, timely, and comfortable flights and excellent customer service with exceptional passenger experience
- Ensure flawless flights by examining and analyzing operational equipment, navigational controls, fuel levels, and communication tools
- Schedule FAR Part 121 transport operations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
- Accomplished 1,300+ flight hours including 470 nighttime and 600 cross-country hours
- Flew regular passenger flights between Las Vegas, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Diego
- Completed 1,000+ hours of flight with 100% safety and passengers satisfaction
- Operated instruments and devices installed in Boeing 727, 707, and 757 planes while ensuring flight departures and arrivals according to the schedule
- Maintained health and safety compliance throughout the flight in accordance with international policies and airline regulations
Whether you’re an aspiring aviator or an accomplished aeronaut, browse our full library of resume templates to find the right resume sample for you.
Average pilot salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.
Average pilot annual salaries by state
| State | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| Florida | $239,200 |
| Texas | $233,910 |
| California | $239,200 |
| New York | $231,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $219,140 |
| Illinois | $239,200 |
| Ohio | $224,100 |
| Georgia | $239,200 |
| North Carolina | $142,360 |
| Michigan | $239,200 |
| National Average | $186,295 |
How to write a pilot resume
Here’s a full description of the essential components of a pilot resume and how to write them:
1. Emphasize your certifications
The FAA standards for becoming a pilot are rigorous — and airlines enforce them strictly. You’ll need many certifications before you’re allowed in the cockpit, so it’s essential that you showcase them on your resume and let employers see that you’re qualified to fly.
Here’s how your resume certifications and qualifications sections should look:
CERTIFICATIONS & RATINGS
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate – Multi-Engine Land
- Commercial Pilot License – Single Engine Land & Sea
- Instrument Rating (Airplane)
- Type Ratings: Boeing 737, Airbus A320
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
- Current First Class Medical Certificate
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Crew Resource Management (CRM)
- Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
- Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT)
- Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Participant
If you have a long list of certifications, use abbreviations to save space. For example, write “FAA ATP Certificate” instead of “Federal Aviation Administration Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.”
2. List your piloting skills
It’s vital you add your piloting technical skills to the technical skills section of your resume. You can’t assume hiring managers will know you have them just because you’re an experienced pilot, so:
- list them in full
- back them up with examples of when you used them in your work experience section
Here’s a list of skills a commercial pilot resume might include:
- Aircraft type ratings: Boeing 737, Airbus A320
- Instrument rating (IR)
- Multi-engine rating
- Airline transport pilot (ATP) license
- Glass cockpit proficiency
- Flight management system (FMS) expertise
- Advanced navigation techniques: RNAV, GPS
- Crew resource management (CRM)
- Aeronautical decision making (ADM)
- Emergency procedures proficiency
And here are the first three skills showcased in the resume’s experience section:
- (Boeing 737) — 2,500+ flight hours logged in Boeing 737 aircraft, demonstrating mastery of systems and procedures
- (Instrument rating) — 500+ hours of instrument flight time, showcasing proficiency in navigating and landing solely by reference to instruments
- (Multi-engine rating) — 1,000+ hours of multi-engine flight time, including successful completion of complex maneuvers and emergency procedures
3. Write an effective pilot resume summary
A pilot resume summary should outline your miles flown, positions held, craft flown, and your next career goal.
Here are a few examples of resume summaries you can use on your piloting resume:
Experienced Commercial Pilot with 3,000+ flight hours and a spotless safety record. Proficient in Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft, with consistent on-time performance and high customer satisfaction ratings. Proven ability to handle diverse conditions, including night and instrument flying. Seeking to leverage skills for a challenging role in a dynamic airline environment.
FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot with 500+ successful flight hours. Extensive experience capturing high-quality aerial photography and videography for diverse clients. Proficient in multiple drone platforms with expertise in mission planning, airspace regulations, and safe flight operations. Proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Experienced Helicopter Pilot with 1,500+ flight hours and a proven track record in aerial tours, utility operations, and emergency response. Proficient in multiple helicopter models with expertise in mountain flying, external load operations, and challenging weather conditions. Proven ability to maintain safety standards and deliver exceptional service to clients.
4. Quantify your piloting experience
Give some context to hiring managers about your piloting experience by including numbers. It should be easy for you to quantify your resume achievements given that flights are so carefully logged.
Here is some data you should easily be able to find by sifting through airline records. These are all the different types of valuable data you can add to your resume to prove your experience:
Good numbers for a pilot resume
Total Flight Hours: This indicates your experience level
Hours Flown by Aircraft Type: This shows your proficiency in specific aircraft models (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320)
Number of Takeoffs and Landings: This number is a good indicator of your practical experience, especially in challenging conditions
Safety Record: This statistic shows the number of years you’ve flown without incident/accident
On-Time Performance: This percentage shows the number of flights arriving on time or early, highlighting your ability to eclipse other pilots
Fuel Efficiency: Your average fuel consumption per flight hour demonstrates your cost-saving ability
Customer Satisfaction Ratings: If available, this figure can highlight your service and communication skills
Resources for aspiring pilots
Considering a career in aviation? Check out this video by American Airlines pilot Garrett Ray where he discusses five reasons to become a pilot:
Resume examples for different industries
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
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Pilot Resume Template, Examples, & Writing Tips
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