Pilot Resume: Examples and Tips for Landing Aviation Jobs
If you can land a plane, you can land a great job in aviation. This guide helps you prepare for takeoff in your career.
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The sky is literally the limit when you put your aviation skills to work. The only thing keeping you grounded is the need for a good resume. This guide offers practical tips and examples to help you build a resume that gets you closer to your next aviation role.
ResumeCoach’s AI-powered resume builder makes it easy to apply for any pilot or flight instructor role in the U.S. Quickly create different versions of your resume for different job listings, including commercial pilot, airline pilot, and flight instructor roles.
Pilot Resume Examples for Different Aviation Career Paths
Every flight plan differs, and so should your resume, based on your unique career path. As you’ll see below, adapt your resume to the type of operation, your experience level, the certificates you hold, and the types of aircraft you’ve flown.
Use the pilot resume template that best matches your experience, and customize it with your skills and information.
Commercial pilot resume example
Marcus T. Reynolds
Nashville, TN | (615) 555-0184 | marcus.reynolds.pilot@email.com | linkedin.com/in/marcus-reynolds-pilot
Commercial Pilot | Part 135 Charter Operations
9+ years of professional flight experience, specializing in light and midsize turbine aircraft, IFR operations, and high-frequency business and leisure travel. Proven record of safe, on-time operations across various weather and airport environments, with 3,800+ total flight hours and more than 1,700 hours as PIC.
Flight Time & Aircraft Experience
3,825 Total Time | 1,745 PIC Hours | 1,050 Part 135 PIC Hours | 1,980 Turbine Hours | 1,420 Multi-Engine Hours | 1,160 IFR | Beechcraft King Air 350 | Pilatus PC-12 | Cessna 441 Conquest II
Certifications
FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate | Airplane Single-Engine Land, Multi-Engine Land
Instrument Rating
Current FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
Current passport and TSA-required eligibility
Skills
IFR Flight Planning Crew Resource Management | Risk Management | Weather Analysis | MEL Procedures | Weight & Balance | Flight Deck Automation | International & Domestic Charter Operations | Emergency Procedures | Customer Service
Professional Experience
Captain/Commercial Pilot
Blue Ridge Charter Services | Knoxville, TN | 2021 to Present
- Serve as PIC on Part 135 charter flights across the U.S. and Caribbean in King Air 350 and PC-12 aircraft.
- Complete 650+ revenue and positioning legs annually while maintaining a 97% dispatch-on-time rate.
- Conduct risk assessments, weather analysis, performance calculations, weight-and-balance planning, and IFR flight planning.
- Coordinate with passengers and operational teams, helping reduce avoidable maintenance-related delays by 18% through improved discrepancy reporting.
First Officer/Commercial Pilot
Volunteer Aviation Group | Nashville, TN | 2017 to 2021
- Served as SIC on King Air 350 and Cessna 441 aircraft for corporate, medical, and time-sensitive Part 135 missions.
- Logged approximately 900 hours of multi-engine turbine time, developing proficiency in IFR and abnormal operations.
- Assisted PICs with dispatch, weather and NOTAM reviews, performance calculations, inspections, and flight documentation.
- Completed recurrent CRM and emergency training while maintaining accurate flight records and operational currency.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Professional Aviation
Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN
Why this resume works
- The Flight Time & Aircraft Experience section provides immediate context, giving the hiring manager an overview of experience at a glance.
- It demonstrates career growth from second-in-command (SIC) to pilot in command (PIC).
- The bullet points weave in a little narrative storytelling, such as medical flights, that may lead to intriguing interview questions.
Airline pilot resume example
Michael J. Anderson
Airline Pilot | Boeing 737 First Officer
Dallas, TX | (214) 555-0187 | michael.anderson.pilot@example.com
Pilot Qualifications
6,842 Total Flight Hours | 4,915 Turbine | 3,980 Part 121 | 1,925 PIC | 2,460 SIC
- FAA ATP: Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Type Rating: B-737
- FAA First-Class Medical Certificate: Current
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit: Current
- Multi-Engine Time: 4,420 hours
- Instrument Time: 2,340 hours
- Recent Flight Time: 118 hours in previous 12 months
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Embraer 175
Core Competencies
Crew Resource Management | Instrument Flight Rules | High-Altitude Operations | Weather Avoidance | Flight Management Systems | Standard Operating Procedures | Risk Management | Emergency Procedures | Dispatch Coordination | Threat & Error Management | Multi-Crew Operations | International Operations | Aviation Safety
Professional Experience
First Officer, Boeing 737
Lone Star Airlines | Dallas, TX | 2020 to Present
- Operate Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft on domestic and international Part 121 routes.
- Logged 2,800+ B-737 flight hours, including approximately 1,950 hours as SIC in Part 121 operations.
- Perform flight planning, performance calculations, FMS programming, checklists, and departure and arrival briefings.
- Coordinate with captains, dispatch, cabin crews, maintenance, and ATC while maintaining qualification and recurrent training requirements.
First Officer, Embraer 175
Heartland Regional Airlines | Kansas City, MO | 2017 to 2020
- Operated Embraer 175 aircraft on scheduled Part 121 passenger routes throughout the U.S. and Canada.
- Logged approximately 1,180 hours as SIC, including operations in high-density terminals and complex weather conditions.
- Conducted flight planning, performance calculations, FMS setup, briefings, and required checklist procedures.
- Coordinated with dispatch and flight crews on weather, fuel, MEL items, diversions, and alternate airports while completing recurrent training and proficiency checks.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management
University of North Texas | Denton, TX
Why this resume works
- Certification, aircraft type rating, flight time, Part 121 and PIC/SIC experience, and recent flight activity are immediately visible at the top of the resume.
- Rather than using a professional summary in paragraph form, it makes qualifications easily scannable in a bulleted list.
- It shows a linear career progression.
Flight instructor resume example
Emily R. Carter
Smyrna, TN | 931-555-0184 | emily.carter@email.com
Certified Flight Instructor | CFI | CFII | Commercial Pilot
FAA-certified flight instructor with 1,120+ total flight hours and 620+ hours of dual instruction, specializing in private, commercial, and instrument training. Experienced in individualized lesson planning, risk management, student progress tracking, and FAA practical test preparation.
Certifications & Training
FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate | Airplane Single-Engine Land
FAA Certified Flight Instructor | Airplane Single-Engine
FAA Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument | Airplane
FAA Instrument Rating | Airplane
FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate
FAA Airman Certification Standards
Core Skills
Flight Instruction | Commercial Pilot Training | Private Pilot Training | Lesson Planning | Preflight and Postflight Briefings | Cross-Country Planning | Weather Analysis | Weight and Balance | Performance Calculations | Navigation | Emergency Procedures | Aviation Regulations | Logbook and Training Records | Safety | Crew Resource Management
Professional Experience
Certified Flight Instructor CFII
Wings of Eagles Aviation | Smyrna, TN | 2024 to Present
- Provide 620+ hours of dual instruction to private, instrument, and commercial students in Cessna 172 aircraft.
- Deliver individualized flight and ground lessons, including briefings, scenario-based exercises, and practical-test preparation.
- Monitor weather, aircraft performance, fuel, NOTAMs, and operational risks while maintaining accurate training records and endorsements.
- Improved first-attempt practical-test pass rates from 76% to 88% through individualized stage-check preparation and targeted remediation.
Flight Instructor
Buzz Air Flight Academy| Clarksville, TN | 2023 to 2024
- Delivered private and commercial flight instruction in Cessna 172 and Piper Archer aircraft.
- Logged 260+ hours of dual instruction with an emphasis on risk management, checklist discipline, and aircraft control.
- Taught flight planning, weather, navigation, aircraft systems, regulations, and weight-and-balance calculations.
- Maintained FAA-compliant student records and supported introductory flights and prospective-student briefings.
Education
Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN
Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science, 2023
Why this resume works
- This resume balances flight proficiency with lesson planning, student assessment, and test preparation, showing the candidate as both a pilot in her own right and an instructor.
- It includes quantifiable data highlighting the outcomes of effective teaching.
- It shows a linear career progression from student to intern to instructor.
Reach New Heights With a Professional Pilot Resume From ResumeCoach
You’ve worked hard to gain the certifications, flight hours, and experience you need to work as an aviator. But can you package that information as neatly as you pack your carry-on?
Examples such as the ones above can guide you as you decide what information and keywords to include. We also recommend using ResumeCoach’s online resume builder to create a polished, professional resume in minutes.
- Access instant suggestions using our online tools
- Optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) using our professionally designed templates
- Create a matching cover letter to make a great first impression
How To Write a Pilot Resume
When writing your aviator’s resume, focus on two goals: making it easy for your hiring manager to verify your aviation qualifications and clearly presenting your career progression, skills, and achievements.
Pilot resumes differ from other U.S. resumes, including those for corporate and office roles. They may include additional sections and order information differently, as we will discuss below.
Choose the right pilot resume format and section order
As seen in the examples above, the exact order of the resume sections can vary based on your experience and target role. Generally, they include the following:
- Contact information
- Professional summary or objective highlighting your key qualifications
- Pilot certificates and ratings, including FAA certificates, medical status, and relevant ratings
- Flight hours and aircraft experience, including key flight-time categories and aircraft types
- Professional experience, with employers, roles, dates, locations, and concise bullet points
- Education and aviation training, including degrees, flight school, and specialized training
- Relevant skills, including technical and instructional abilities
Pilot resumes are often longer than other resumes because of the amount of certifications and qualifications required. Generally, though, you should limit your pilot resume to two pages.
Set the right course with your resume summary or objective
A strong pilot resume should put your most important qualifications first. Use a resume summary to highlight your experience, flight hours, certifications, and key strengths in a few lines.
If you’re early in your aviation career or changing roles, a resume objective can work better by focusing on your qualifications and the position you’re targeting.
Consider the following examples.
ATP-certified commercial pilot with 5,800+ flight hours and 2,900+ turbine hours across Part 121 and 135 operations. Boeing 737 First Officer with expertise in IFR, crew resource management, risk mitigation, and safety-focused decisions.
Commercial pilot and CFI with 1,150+ flight hours seeking a regional First Officer position. Bringing experience in instrument instruction, cross-country operations, flight planning, and safety, with a strong foundation in FAA procedures.
Learn more about resume summaries and resume objectives.
If you need additional guidance, our AI resume summary generator is standing by.
List pilot certificates, ratings, and medical status clearly
Your credentials—certificates, ratings, and medical status—are among your most important qualifications.
Position them in a horizontal or bulleted list near the top of your resume, either in a general “Qualifications” section or separately, for example, “Pilot Qualifications,” “Certifications,” and “Hours.”
You should tailor your qualifications and pilot resume skills to your target role, but generally, you may include the following:
- Pilot certificate (Private, Commercial, or Airline Transport [ATP])
- Aircraft ratings (Single-Engine Land [ASEL], Multi-Engine Land [AMEL], helicopter)
- Instrument ratings
- Type ratings (Boeing 737, Airbus A320, etc.)
- Flight instructor certificates (CFI, CFII)
- Medical certificate1 (First class for ATP and Second Class for commercial)
- Restricted ATP (R-ATP for authorized reduced-experience pathways)
How to list flight hours and aircraft experience on a pilot resume
Quantifiable flight experience—flight hours, aircraft, and flight categories—is what sets professional pilot resumes apart. Present this information near the top of your resume so it can be absorbed at a glance.
Organize your information into a bulleted list, a horizontal list (entries separated by a vertical bar), or in tables like the ones below:
| Flight Experience | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total Time | 2,450 |
| Pilot in Command (PIC) | 1,320 |
| Multi-Engine | 850 |
| Turbine | 620 |
| Instrument | 310 |
Aircraft Experience
| Aircraft | Flight Time |
|---|---|
| Cessna 172 | 750 hours |
| Piper PA-44 | 420 hours |
| Beechcraft King Air 200 | 610 hours |
Turn flying experience into strong, measurable resume bullet points
Your experience section should show what you did and the value you brought. Include your job title, employer, location, and dates, then use concise bullet points to highlight key responsibilities, flight experience, and results.
First Officer | Regional Airlines | Cincinnati, OH
June 2022 to Present
- Operate Embraer E175 aircraft on scheduled Part 121 domestic routes.
- Conduct flight planning, performance calculations, weather and NOTAM reviews, and flight briefings.
- Apply company SOPs, FAA regulations, CRM, and risk-management procedures during normal and abnormal operations.
- Coordinate with dispatch, cabin crew, maintenance, and ATC to support safe, efficient operations.
- Maintain qualifications through recurrent simulator training, proficiency checks, and FAA-required training.
Add relevant education and aviation training
List your degrees, flight school, and professional aviation training near the end of your resume.
Aviation degrees are a plus, but even non-aviation degrees can show additional expertise or include relevant coursework like meteorology or human psychology.
Keep the education section simple:
- Add your degree or qualification
- Include the school or training provider
- Add the location if relevant
- Include the graduation year when useful
- Mention relevant aviation coursework or specialized training if it supports the role
What skills should I include on my aviation resume?
Lean into skills that reflect your real qualifications and fit the target role. Your skills section should include hard and soft skills such as:
| Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
|---|---|
| Navigation | Crew resource management (CRM |
| IFR operations | Situational awareness |
| Aircraft systems | Decision-making under pressure |
| Performace calculations | Verbal communication |
| Weight-and-balance calculations | Risk management |
| Weather analysis | Problem-solving |
| FAA compliance | Critical thinking |
| Emergency procedures | Adaptability |
When deciding what skills to include, remember that mirroring the job description will help human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) quickly determine your fit.
Ready to strengthen your aviation resume? Use our resume editor to get instant feedback and **fine-tune your skills, experience, and qualifications** for the role you want.
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FAQ
Yes, cover letters are a great way to introduce yourself professionally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates more than 16,000 pilot openings yearly, but the field is still competitive. Including a cover letter can give you an edge.
Start with a resume objective as discussed above, citing your desire to enter the career. Then, lean into your training, certifications, and hours of experience as proof that you have the needed skills.
No specific personality type is required, but many successful pilots develop the ability to remain calm under pressure. They are self-disciplined, safety-oriented, adaptable team players.
All flight instructors are pilots, but not all pilots are instructors. Pilots operate aircraft, while flight instructors are qualified to train and evaluate student pilots, teach flight procedures, and help them prepare for FAA tests and certifications.
Commercial pilots hold a commercial pilot certificate recognized by the FAA. They can work in different pilot roles, including flight instruction, cargo, charter, and other commercial flights.
Airline pilots are commercial pilots who are employed to operate flights for a given airline. They may fly passenger or cargo routes.
Related Professions
- https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_process/general/classes ↩︎