Pilot CV—Template and 25+ Writing Tips

Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward—

Leonardo DaVinci once said. 

Unfortunately, Leonardo DaVinci’s pilot CV was not up to scratch, so he was left forever looking skyward. You have before you the ultimate airline pilot CV guide, so you won’t have to.

You’ll be tasting flight.

In this guide:

• A jet-set airline pilot CV template. 
• How to ace your airline pilot job description with flying colours.
• The definite guide on the CV format.
• Expert hints to increase the chances of your airline pilot job application.

Alright, let’s get ready for takeoff.

Airline Pilot CV Template You Can Copy and Use

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Now let's see an example:

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

1. Check The Instruments: Airline Pilot CV 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 CV 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:

Airline Pilot CV Format

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

OK, let’s put the engines on.

2. Write a Mach-2 Airline Pilot CV Profile

Pilots are meticulous, pay attention to detail, and check every gauge before take-off. Unfortunately, it won’t be a pilot reading your CV. 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 CV profile. A CV profile is a short paragraph at the top of your CV which summarises your skills and experience in a few sentences. Here’s a quick formula to get it 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 CV Summary

There is no use in telling the recruiter what they already know so don’t list your responsibilities and tasks. Focus your pilot CV summary on your achievements, numbers, and things that set you apart from the rest.

If you do not have commercial experience, you may opt for a CV objective. In it, you should focus on your existing experience, any awards, commendations, or good feedback you received in training. List all your hours and certifications to underline your passion and commitment.

Pilot CV Objective

Expert Hint: Before you start each application, make sure to check the airline for their requirements. Some will have very specific requirements regarding type ratings, and may be less willing than others to pay for you to do them. There aren't many airlines in the country, so make every shot count.

3. Ace Your Pilot CV Job Description

Don’t state the obvious.Everyone knows what a pilot does. Instead, in your work experience section tell them about your hours, commendations and notable achievements. This airline pilot job description nails it:

Airline Pilot Job Description for a CV

That’s like comparing an A380 with a Cessna. The good example quantifies your performance, instead of just saying what a pilot does. However, what if you are writing a CV with no experience? 

If you haven’t held a commercial flying position yet, it is wise to replace this section with an expansive flight hours and certifications section. You could also write about accomplishments that you may have from other work experience, volunteering, or school related activities. 

And one more thing—adding a CV skills sectioncan help.

Beware:

Don’t just copy and paste. Don’t be silly—everyone knows, or at least hopes, that an aeroplane pilot has good eye to hand coordination. Choose wisely. 

Airline Pilot Skills for CV

• Dead Reckoning
• VFR Flight
• Basic First Aid and CPR
• List different plane types
• Mathematics & Physics
• Modern Aviation Technology & Instrumentation
• Teamwork & Collaborative Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Ability to Stay Calm Under Pressure
• Situational Awareness
• Environmental Awareness
• Quick-Thinking Skills
• Weather Systems & Weather-Based Decisions

Expert Hint: Which airlines pay the most? United, American, and Delta Airlines all average above £250/hr, with Southwest close behind at £242. The rest range between £200 and £130. Consider writing a targeted CV for the top 4 airlines.

4. Make Your Education a Reason to Hire You

Many say that you don’t become a real pilot until you first fly solo. Others say that you need to fly an X amount of hours to call yourself a pilot. Regardless, you can make your education section an additional reason to hire you. 

List your school name, diploma type, GPA (if you’re a fresher), and graduation date.This airline pilot CV example shows how:

Airline Pilot CV Sample—Education

Stand out by using bullet points to highlight your achievements.

If you don’t have commercial flying experience, you may extend your CV education section further! 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

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5. Add Added Sections To Your Pilot CV

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

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

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

Airline Pilot CV—Extra Sections

Think about what’s relevant. Applying for international flights? Make languages the focus. First time applying to a commercial flying position? Focus on the certifications. One last thing.

Write a cover letter. There’s no better way to show you’re passionate about your job.

Expert Hint: Pilot CVs must always be sent with supporting documents. Attach copies of your licences, ratings, medical certificates, passport and more. To save time, check thoroughly with each airline on what they require.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There’s 18 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 CV passes with flying colours:

• Use our CV format settings—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Use our airline pilot CV 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.
• Write an airline pilot cover letter.

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

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5. Add Added Sections To Your Pilot CV

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

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

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

Airline Pilot CV—Extra Sections

Good Example

Certifications

• FAA—Airline Transport Pilot Licence. 
• 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

Bad Example

Other 

• Jogging 2x week
• Interested in photography
• Collecting rare model planes in spare time

Think about what’s relevant. Applying for international flights? Make languages the focus. First time applying to a commercial flying position? Focus on the certifications. One last thing.

Write a cover letter. There’s no better way to show you’re passionate about your job.

Expert Hint: Pilot CVs must always be sent with supporting documents. Attach copies of your licences, ratings, medical certificates, passport and more. To save time, check thoroughly with each airline on what they require.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There’s 18 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 CV passes with flying colours:

• Use our CV format settings—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Use our airline pilot CV 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.

• Write an airline pilot cover letter.

Check out more useful resources:

• How to Start a CV
• What Should a CV Look Like in 2023
• CV Outline: Professional Examples
• How to Successfully Email a CV
• Free MS Word templates 
• Free CV Templates

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