Pilot Resume: Free Template, Example and Writing Guide
Recruiters and chief pilots scan a pilot resume for certificates, ratings, total time and the aircraft you have flown. Postings list minimums for these, so put them at the top and keep them exact and current.
On this page: what recruiters and hiring managers look for, an example, section-by-section tips, keywords, common mistakes and FAQs.
Free, no account needed. Last reviewed October 2026.
What recruiters and hiring managers look for in a pilot resume
Certificates and ratings
ATP or Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, and any CFI, CFII or MEI, plus your medical class. Put them in a block at the top so they cannot be missed.
Flight time that adds up
Total, PIC, SIC, multi-engine, turbine, instrument, night and cross-country. Keep it current and consistent with your logbook, because it will be checked.
Aircraft and operations
Name each type and the operation: Part 135, Part 121, Part 91, charter, corporate, cargo. Note seat (captain or first officer) and any type ratings.
Safety and professionalism
CRM training, international experience, and any check airman or instructor time. Do not claim a clean record unless it is true.
Pilot resume example
This is sample content to show structure and wording. Replace every detail and number with your own, and only claim what is true for you.
John Smith
Pilot (Fixed-wing) · Orlando, FL · (555) 010-0142 · john.smith@example.com
Summary
ATP pilot with 7 years and 3,200 total hours, most recently flying Boeing 737-800 under Part 121. SOP discipline, IFR proficiency and a clean checkride and line-check history. Seeking a Pilot (Fixed-wing) position.
Certificates & ratings
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) · Instrument Rating · Multi-Engine Rating · First Class Medical
Aircraft experience
Boeing 737-800 · Airbus A320 · Embraer E175 · Bombardier CRJ-900 · Cessna Citation XLS
Education & training
B.S. Aeronautical Science · Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University · 2018
Experience
Pilot (Fixed-wing) · Example Aviation Co. · 2021 to Present
- Flew 2,100 hours on Boeing 737-800 as First Officer under 14 CFR Part 121, averaging 75 block hours per month across 40 stations with no violations or pilot deviations
- Upgraded to Captain in 18 months, passing the type ride, line check and IOE on the first attempt and logging 600 PIC hours in the first year
- Flew single-pilot IFR cargo routes under Part 135 for three years, completing 1,400 legs with a 99 percent completion rate
- Planned and flew 60 international legs on Boeing 737-800, including NAT HLA crossings using CPDLC and ADS-C, with no permit or customs delays
How to write each section
Summary
Highest certificate, total hours, the types you have flown and the seat or operation you want next.
Experience
List employer, aircraft, seat and operation. Add facts you can support, such as hours by type, legs flown or check rides passed.
Training
Type rating courses, simulator programs, and CRM or upset recovery training. Recency matters here.
Keywords to include (when they are true for you)
Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for these terms in pilot job postings. Work in the ones that honestly describe your experience, ideally inside your experience bullets rather than only in a skills list.
- ATP
- R-ATP
- ATP-CTP
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Instrument rating
- Multi-Engine Land
- type rating
- First Class Medical
- Second Class Medical
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
- PIC
- SIC
- turbine PIC
- Part 121
- Part 135
- Part 91
- Part 91K
- Part 117
- Part 141
- 135.243
- OpSpecs
- FOM
- GOM
- SOPs
Common pilot resume mistakes
- Placing total time or ratings below the first screen.
- Flight time that does not match your logbook or an application you filed elsewhere.
- Skipping the operation type (Part 135, 121, 91), which tells a recruiter how you have flown.
- Writing a two-page resume for a pilot with a short work history.
Pilot resume questions
What flight hours should I list on a pilot resume?
Total time, PIC, SIC, multi-engine, turbine, instrument, night and cross-country are the standard set. Include only what applies to you and keep each number current.
Should I list every aircraft I have flown?
List the types that matter for the job you want, with the time or operation attached. A short, relevant list reads better than a complete log.
How long should a pilot resume be?
One page for most pilots. Senior captains with long, varied histories can use two, but the certificates and hours should still sit at the top of page one.
Do pilot resumes need an objective statement?
Use a short summary instead. Certificates, total time and the type of flying you want next tell a recruiter more than a generic objective.
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