Pilot Resume Template & How to Write an Aviation Resume

This guide will help you write a great aviation resume that can pass recruitment with flying colors. Get off to a flying start with our pilot resume template and tips from experts.

Being a pilot sounds glamorous. But let's face it—not all aviation jobs are on the same level. After you've done all the hard work necessary to get your license, you expect a job that comes with great pay and benefits, and not one that involves extremely long work hours and little reward.

A great pilot resume can help you maximize your chances of reaching for the stars. And with our help, you'll write one with the speed of light.

In this guide:

• A jet-set airline pilot resume template you can use to write your aviation resume.
• How to write an airline pilot job description to add to your resume.
• The definite guide on the pilot resume format.
• Expert hints to increase the chances of your airline pilot resume.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

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Need something else than an airline pilot resume template? See our guides:

• Career Change Resume
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• Dispatcher Resume
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Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples.

"Based on an analysis of over 500,000 resumes created in our builder, we found out that*:

- The most popular resume templates chosen by pilots are Cubic, Classic, and Muse.
- 2/3 of pilots include the number of flight hours in their skills section.
- Airline pilots report having an average of 10.5 years of total work experience.
* The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024).

Airline Pilot Resume Template

William K Beavers

Personal Info

676 Brighton Circle Road

Stewart, MN 55385

Summary:

Focused and passionate commercial airline pilot with 4+ years of experience, racking up over 5000 hours: over 1500 hours as Pilot in Command, and 2000 as Second in Command. 500 nighttime hours. Certified and experienced on the Boeing 737-800, Airbus A321 and Bombardier CRJ200. Commended in 2018 for highest punctuality. Successful emergency landing in 2018 due to engine fire. Seeking a position as an international long-haul pilot for Delta Air Lines.

Experience

• 5000 flight hours, PiC: 1500, SiC: 2000, Night: 500.
• 97% on time rating in 2018, awarded for highest punctuality in my hub.
• Operated flights out of Minneapolis to Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Detroit, New York, Washington and Baltimore.
• 100% pre-flight check accuracy on flight equipment and navigational controls.
• Successful emergency landing at Rochester International Airport due to bird damaging one engine and causing a fire.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science Management with Professional Pilot Concentration

Texas Southern University

• Dean’s List student
• Excelled in Flight Instruments, International Flight Theory, and Principles of Avionics modules.
• Chairman of the TSU Business Society.

Certifications

• FAA—Airline Transport Pilot License
• FAA—Commercial Multi-Engine Land certification passed on Piper Seminole aircraft
• FAA 3rd Class Aviation Medical Certificate
• Type Ratings: 737, A321, A320, CRJ200
• First Aid, CPR—American Red Cross

Awards

• Most Punctual Spirit Pilot 2018

Languages

• Conversational Spanish
• Fluent French

Key Skills

• Boeing 737
• Airbus A321
• Bombardier CRJ200
• Dead Reckoning
• VFR flight

Let’s get your own airline pilot resume to the Mile High Club.

Here's how to write a pilot resume:

1. Use the correct pilot resume format.

2. Write a professional profile to highlight your qualifications.

3. Add a job description of a pilot to the work experience section.

4. List degrees and courses in the education section.

5. Select extra sections for your aviation resume.

Keep reading to learn how to complete these steps in more detail:

1. Choose the Right Airline Pilot Resume Format

When you’re in the cockpit of your 737, you know where everything is. Every gauge, every instrument, whatever you wanna know, you know where to look. Your resume format has to work the same—the reader should be able to navigate the sections to find what they’re looking for exactly.

This is how you do it:

Aviation Resume Format

• Always use thereverse-chronological resume format.
• Use legibleresume fonts like Calibri or Garamond in 10–12pt.
• Use 1-inchresume marginsand space the sections out evenly.
• Make a one-page resume.
• Pay attention to the order of your resume sections: Header, Objective, Experience, Education, and “Additional.”
• Always save aresume as a PDF, unless asked not to.

OK, let’s put the engines on.

2. Write a Mach-2 Airline Pilot Resume Profile

Pilots are meticulous, pay attention to detail, and check every gauge before take-off. Unfortunately, it won’t be a pilot reading your aviation resume. It will be a recruiter who won’t be doing a thorough instrument check. This is why you need to convey all the information quickly and concisely.

The best way to do that is with a resume profile. A resume profile is a short paragraph at the top of your resume which summarizes your skills and experience in a few sentences.

Here’s a quick formula to get your pilot resume profile right:

• Use strong, active power adjectives like passionate, efficient.
• List your years of experience, if you have them.
• Explain how you will contribute to your new employer—what you bring to the table.
• Back up whatever you can with achievements and numbers. List all your hours on aircraft.

Here’s an example:

Pilot Resume Example: Summary

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

5. Add Extra Sections to Your Pilot Resume

Once you have all the key information in your aviation resume, it can pay off to add a few bonus resume sections such as:

• Awards
• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two airline pilot resume examples show you clearly the difference it can make:

Aviation Resume—Extra Sections

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here’s how to make sure your aviation resume passes with flying colors:

• Use proper pilot resume format settings—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Use our airline pilot resume template to build your own from. Adjust accordingly for your experience level.
• In your airline pilot job description describe your excellence, not the generic responsibilities of a pilot.
• If necessary, flesh out strong education section. Let them know you are ready and passionate.

Got questions on how to write a great resume for commercial airline pilot jobs? Did we help you get your airline pilot resume right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

Check out more useful resources:

• How to Start a Resume
• What Should a Resume Look Like
• Resume Outline: Professional Examples
• How to Successfully Email a Resume
• Free MS Word templates
• Free Resume Templates

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Dave is a career expert delivering a wide range of well-researched advice regarding the job hunting and application process. At ResumeLab, his data-driven resume and cover letter guides help readers capitalize on their potential.

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