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Careers in aviation are diverse, ranging from in-flight positions to technical and maintenance work, as well as administrative and customer service jobs. The skills needed for these jobs run the gamut, from technical knowledge such as operating, checking and maintaining aircraft, displaying good customer service and management skills, organizational abilities, and staying calm in pressure situations.
Produce a resume that bears you aloft into the right aviation career, using our expert resume examples and tips below.
Table of Contents
Top aviation resume examples
More aviation resume examples
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Air Traffic Controller
- Aircraft Mechanic
- Airline Customer Service Agent
- Airline Ticketing Agent
- Airport Customer Service Agent
- Airport Passenger Service Agent
- Emirates Flight Attendant
- Flight Attendant
- Pilot
More aviation cover letter examples
More aviation CV examples
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How to build your resume for a aviation career
We’ve singled out some major professions under aviation for our resume examples — use these as a foundation for your own resume.
Career Track: Piloting
More than ever, pilots are needed to carry passengers and cargo around the world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the numbers of jobs for commercial pilots alone will grow a healthy 6% over the next decade. Get a foothold on the right pilot job using these tips.
First Officer $60,670 Median Salary
Resume Format
Functional Resume
A functional resume format showcases your top skills in major categories such as administrative skills, soft skills and technical skills. Stress your flight hours, your familiarity with turbine or prop aircraft, and examples of customer service and communication skills from previous jobs or activities.
Summary Statement Tip
Present a blend of top skills and qualifications, contained within a few short sentences. Whenever possible, match your strengths with what the job demands. For example, if the position calls for an “Unrestricted ATP (Airline Transport Rating) with an Airline category multi-engine class rating,” you could write “Efficient First Officer with experience serving on airplanes with multi-engine class rating. Has unrestricted ATP (Airline Transport Rating).”
Skills to feature
- Quick learner
- Flight hours (feature a specific number)
- Current passport
- FCC operator permit
- FAA medical certificate
- Bilingual
- Proactive
- Excellent communicator
- Interpersonal skills
- Excellent coordination
- Cockpit operations
- Maintaining navigation data
Get to the next level
To continue progressing in your career, add the following to your resume:
- Work experiences that show you’re capable of serving efficiently aboard different planes and different situations (e.g., carrying passengers and/or cargo).
- Gain additional training or certifications in specialized areas, such as an Air Transport Pilots License.
- Concentrate on gaining a specific number of flight hours that are typically required by the airline to offer a promotion.
Pilot $174,870 Median Salary
Resume Format
Combination Resume
As the name suggests, a combination format showcases a combination of your top work experiences, skills, and strengths, and is a good choice if you have a decent amount of pilot experience. Emphasize your ability to handle all types of piloting tasks and situations, including aircraft checks, managing crew, and using your interpersonal skills.
Summary statement tip
Think of this section as an “elevator pitch” that effectively presents your best skills and experiences. Give employers some key details that show how you’re the right person for the job. For example: “Safety-oriented commercial airline pilot with over 4,500 miles logged on medium-haul and long-haul flights.”
Skills to feature
- Total hours flight time (specific number)
- Excellent communicator
- Advanced mathematics and physics knowledge
- Problem solver
- Critical thinker
- Adaptive
- Excellent hand-eye coordination
- Knowledge of safety standards
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Leadership
- FAA Medical Certificate
Get to the next level
Consider adding the following achievements to your resume:
- Showcase your experiences and expertise handling different types of aircraft and crews.
- Continue to log flight hours and display a record of safe, effective flying.
- Build up hours in pilot-in-command time.
Corporate Pilot $120,000 Median Salary
Resume Format
Chronological Resume
A chronological resume is an ideal option for experienced positions like corporate pilots, as this format showcases work accomplishments and major responsibilities, along with key skills and qualifications. Highlight your safety knowledge, a professional approach, and an ability to interact effectively with customers and coworkers.
Summary statement tip
Keep the focus on experience and top achievements in this section, with some added job-specific skills. Gear this section to match the job. For example, if the position you want focuses on ferrying supplies, you could write: “Organized pilot with 7 years’ experience ferrying supplies on routes between the Northeast and Midwest U.S. Focused on providing positive experiences for clients and customers.”
Skills to feature
- Flight hours logged (specific number)
- Aircraft and company operating procedures
- Smart decision-making
- Schedule management
- Attention to detail
- Positive approach
- Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations
- Management skills
- Organizational skills
- Leadership
- Reliability
- Stamina
Get to the next level
To take the next step in your career, add the following to your resume:
- Continue to log substantial flight hours.
- Maintain standards of efficient, effective, on-time flights.
- Continue to demonstrate your ability to work with team members and clients to resolve issues and ensure superior service.
Career Track: Aviation Safety
Careers that ensure the flying public’s safety are in high demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, aviation mechanic careers alone will grow 5% by 2029. Aviation safety mechanics also have highly transferable skills that can be useful across a broad range of industries.
Structure Mechanic$47,862 Median Salary
Resume Format
Functional Resume
If you’re short on professional experience, go with a functional format that focuses on skills and experience rather than on work history. Focus on skills and qualities such as flexibility, documentation and administrative support, using maintenance software, and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
Summary statement tip
This short paragraph is your opportunity to tell employers you’re the right person for the job, so present abilities and training that match up with the specific position. For instance, if the job calls for “overhaul, maintenance, and repair of airframe components, power plants, aircraft communication equipment and associated components,” explain your proficiency with these specific tasks.
Skills to feature
- Blueprint interpretation
- Preventive maintenance
- Structural parts
- Oxygen and aircraft utility systems
- Fault diagnosis
- Engine repair
- Quality control and system analysis
- Hand tools
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Excellent communication abilities
- Airframe knowledge
- FAA certifications in repair and maintenance
Get to the next level
Give yourself a better chance of moving up in your career by adding these qualifications to your resume, and:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in aircraft maintenance technology or any other related field
- Certification as an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT)
- Gain experience handling a wide variety of aircraft
- Have experience working at Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MROs), airlines, or in commercial/corporate or general aviation (GA)
- Proven experience in FAA, specific standards, and company procedures compliance
Safety Inspector $61,002 Median Salary
Resume Format
Combination Resume
Give employers a rundown of your best work accomplishments and skills using this balanced resume format. Provide information that shows your mastery of important activities such as inspections of air carriers and agencies, certifications, handling accident investigations, and evaluating equipment and facilities.
Summary statement tip
In a few sentences, explain to potential employers why you’re a good fit for the job, in terms of your experience and qualifications. For example: “Dedicated Aviation Safety Inspector with four years of experience performing pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight inspections. Adept at detecting issues and knowledgeable of all types of aviation equipment and procedures.”
Skills to feature
- On-the-job training (in years)
- Possession of A&P and FAA licenses
- Experience diagnosing problems
- Knowledge of safety procedures
- Maintenance and repair of aircraft components
- Technical manuals expertise
- Knowledge of FAA regulations
- Inspection documentation
- Ability to interpret blueprints, drawings and other technical data
- Electrical systems and preventive maintenance knowledge
- Accountability
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
Get to the next level
If you’re looking to move up to a managerial position, look to obtain:
- A bachelor’s degree in airframe mechanics, aircraft maintenance, or other related field.
- At least six years of experience as an avionic safety associate or related position.
- Show work examples that display your knowledge of SMS procedures and implementation.
- Show successful projects and achievements where you completed work with minimal to no supervision.
- Proficiency in maintenance applications such as SAM or Cirro
Avionics Safety Manager$89,560 Median Salary
Resume Format
Chronological Resume
For managerial roles, go with a chronological format, which spotlights your work history and achievements. Stress your team leadership qualities, your abilities to coordinate with vendors, customers and subcontractors, and examples of scheduling and completing work efficiently.
Summary statement tip
This section should answer the key question: why should the employer hire me? In a few sentences, present your top experience and skills, and explain what you can bring to the job. For example, “Experienced Avionics Safety Manager with proven expertise working with regulatory agencies and carrying out inspections based on applicable regulations. Strong background includes complex aircraft repairs and flight safety operation management.”
Skills to feature
- Safety audits
- Risk identification
- Incident reporting
- Pre-flight checks
- Aircraft hardware and software
- Quality control
- Knowledge of avionics, electronic and electrical test equipment
- Technical documentation and literature
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Team management
- Airframe and Powerplant certification
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Get to the next level
To continue elevating your career, look into featuring the following in your resume:
- A bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science, aviation safety, airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance, or another related field
Gain a commercial pilot license and/or flight instructor certificate - Have more than five years of experience working with 14 CFR Part 5 Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Airborne ISR Aviation maintenance experience
- Demonstrated expertise with specific types of aircraft
Recommended production resume templates
Give your resume a lift by giving it a sleek professional design, using these employer-ready templates.
Essence
A two-column layout gives you plenty of space to customize your skills and work history sections. The header features a color background for an understated, classy effect.
Bold
This design stands out thanks to the mix of color and black resume fonts for the header. Section headings are arranged in the left margin for quick reference.
Charismatic
An eye-catching header font and strong top band makes sure your contact information gets noticed. Simple lines divide each section, making for easy navigation.
For even more free resume templates, visit our resume templates page.
Aviation resume FAQ
What are some top skills you can include in your aviation resume?
- Knowledge of aircraft safety rules and regulations
- Preparing and maintaining detailed evaluation reports
- Knowledge of flight plans and scheduling
- Clear communication
- Situational awareness
- Quick thinking
- Decisiveness
- Calmness under pressure
- Leadership
- Industry-related licenses, such as FAA certifications
- Knowledge of aircraft components, including repair and maintenance
- Teamwork
- Detail-oriented
How can I find relevant keywords and add them to my aviation resume?
Employers will be scanning your resume for keywords that tell them you’re the right fit for the job. To get appropriate keywords, review the job description and take note of specific phrases that spell out the job’s primary needs. For example: “Facilitate flight operations, maintenance and ferry squawks” or “3,000 hours fixed wing total time in airplanes.” Then update your resume’s summary, skills and work history section with experiences and skills of your own that match these keywords. For example, in your summary you could write “Experienced First Officer with over 3,000 flight hours logged with fixed-wing airplanes,” or list “flight operations management” as a skill. Note that we’re not just copying and pasting keywords from the original job posting — we’re finding ways to address these keywords using our specific experiences and skills. For more keyword suggestions, see How to Use Keywords Effectively.
How should I tailor my resume for different jobs?
Each job will demand different skills and strengths, so follow the keyword advice above every time you apply for a job, and create a different resume for each application. Think of it this way: Each job asks the same question — how are you the best fit for the role? But the answers to the question will differ for each job. Make sure your resume targets the right answers. For more advice, see our article How to Create a Targeted Resume.
