Writing a strong Pilot CV
Hiring managers reviewing a pilot CV look first for licence type, total flight time, aircraft ratings, instrument privileges, medical certificate status, and recency of experience. Your CV should clearly separate PIC, SIC, multi-engine, turbine, jet, night, and IFR hours, while also naming aircraft types such as A320, B737, King Air, Citation, or Dash 8 where relevant. Airlines and operators also value evidence of simulator checks, line training, CRM, SOP compliance, EFB use, safety reporting, and regulator-specific credentials such as FAA, EASA, UK CAA, or CASA licences.
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Three things that matter most
- Place a flight time summary near the top of the CV, broken down by total time, PIC, SIC, multi-engine, turbine, jet, IFR, and night hours so recruiters do not have to search through job history.
- List licences, ratings, medical certificate, English language proficiency, and type ratings exactly as they appear on official documents, including issuing authority and expiry dates where appropriate.
- Describe operational environments, not just routes; mention charter, scheduled airline, medevac, cargo, survey, offshore, corporate, or instructional flying, along with aircraft types and crew configuration.
Skills hiring managers look for
Frequently asked
How do I write a pilot CV with low flight hours?
Put your licences, ratings, medical certificate, and exact flight hour breakdown at the top so your eligibility is clear. Include simulator sessions, flight instructor feedback, cross-country experience, night and IFR time, and any aviation work such as dispatcher, ramp, operations, or safety roles. If you trained on glass cockpit aircraft or used specific EFB and planning tools, include those details.
Should a pilot CV include every aircraft I have flown?
Include aircraft that support the job you want, especially type-rated, turbine, multi-engine, jet, or commercially relevant aircraft. For early-career pilots, a broader list is acceptable, but group basic training aircraft separately from operational aircraft. Avoid cluttering the CV with one-off familiarisation flights unless they add genuine relevance.
What is the best format for listing flight hours on a pilot CV?
Use a compact table or clearly labelled summary near the top of the CV. Include total time, PIC, SIC, multi-engine, turbine, jet, IFR, night, instructor, and simulator time where applicable. Keep the figures consistent with your logbook because airlines and operators may check them during screening or assessment.
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