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Airline pilot skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Russ Leighton

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical airline pilot skills. We ranked the top skills for airline pilots based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 34.6% of airline pilot resumes contained aircraft systems as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an airline pilot needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 airline pilot skills for your resume and career

1. Aircraft Systems

Aircraft systems refer to the subsystems necessary for the efficient and safe operation of an aircraft, including flight controls, landing gear, electrical systems, hydraulics, avionics, navigation, communications, and instrumentation. All aircraft require essential systems such as engine, propeller, induction, ignition systems, as well as fuel, lubrication, cooling, electrical, landing gear, and environmental control systems to aid flight. Understanding aircraft systems in flight is essential for safe operation and proper maintenance.

Here's how airline pilots use aircraft systems:

Received extensive training in complex Avionics / Aircraft Systems / components.
Conducted training in aircraft systems and flight instruction/qualification for customers both stateside and overseas.

2. FAA

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is an aviation regulatory body in the USA.

Here's how airline pilots use faa:

Captain of Boeing 737 Aircraft flying FAA Part 121 scheduled passenger flights from Midway Airport to other cities in the U.S.A.
Planned, analyzed and reviewed weather, dispatch, routes, and maintenance to ensure Company and FAA regulatory compliance.

3. PIC

A PIC, also known as a Programmable Intelligent Computer and Programmable Interface Controller, is a type of microcontroller component that is used in the development of electronics, computers, robotics, and the likes. It works as a standard microcontroller with small processors, memory, registers, and storage. Typically, a PIC enhances the I/O operations of a device by separating I/O-based data and programs from the core central processing unit (CPU).

Here's how airline pilots use pic:

Acted at Pilot in Command (Pic) flying Pa31-350 on scenic tours and charters throughout the southwest.
Fly simulator as SIC to customer PIC guiding customer through normal taxi, takeoff, cruise, approach and landing operations.

4. Flight Operations

Flight operations refer to the activities within an airport that entails dispatching, flight planning, flight watch, weather data provision, and facilitating ground-to-air communication. They ensure proper integration of the airport crew, making appropriate schedules, and planning maintenance activities.

Here's how airline pilots use flight operations:

Liaised with Flight Operations to make arrangements for departure as well as stay informed of any delays.
Recruited by the Vice President of Flight Operations for a company Chief Pilot position

5. Federal Aviation

Federal Aviation is the largest modern transportation agency and a governmental body of a nation with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation in that nation and over its surrounding international waters. Its powers include the construction and operation of airports, air traffic management, the certification of personnel and aircraft, and the protection of national assets during the launch or reentry of commercial space vehicles.

Here's how airline pilots use federal aviation:

Operated flights in accordance with company and Federal Aviation Regulations Calculated weight and balance to ensure safe aircraft operating envelope
Assisted captain in operating transport category aircraft Embraer-190, efficiently and within compliance of all company procedures and Federal Aviation Regulations.

6. Pilot-In-Command

Pilot-In-Command is the pilot who is the overall head of the aircraft. They are the ones that are responsible for safety, and operations.

Here's how airline pilots use pilot-in-command:

Earned pilot-in-command status as most junior aviator assigned to unit.
Directed and assisted Pilot-In-Command in emergency procedures.

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7. Air Traffic Control

Here's how airline pilots use air traffic control:

Coordinated with Air Traffic Control and dispatchers for safe navigation of aircraft.
Contacted air traffic control for clearances.

8. Crew Resource Management

Here's how airline pilots use crew resource management:

Demonstrated exceptional crew resource management skills with a strong orientation toward passenger and cargo safety, comfort and service.
Promote the use of crew resource management between flight and cabin crewmembers.

9. Multi-Engine

Here's how airline pilots use multi-engine:

Licensed in both single-engine and multi-engine airplanes.
Acquired extensive Class B airspace experience in a multi-engine turbo jet with flight hours exceeding 29,000.

10. Co-Pilot

Here's how airline pilots use co-pilot:

Advanced from Flight Engineer and Co-Pilot positions to Captain.
Oversee flight crewmembers, including co-pilot and flight engineer.

11. Caribbean

Here's how airline pilots use caribbean:

Conducted safe and professional air carriage of VIPs throughout the CONUS, Central and South America, and Caribbean regions.
Fly throughout the continental US, Canada, Caribbean, and Mexico under Part 91, 91K, and 135 operations

12. Flight Safety

Here's how airline pilots use flight safety:

Ensured flight safety, security, and economic optimization.
Respond quickly in emergencies and make judgments concerning flight safety based on weather, flight plans, and other information.

13. International Flights

Here's how airline pilots use international flights:

Performed duties in accordance withPart 121 requirements for domestic andinternational flight operation

14. SIC

Here's how airline pilots use sic:

Captain on Navajo and C310 SIC on Citation II
Perform SIC and Relief Pilot duties in support of worldwide passenger and freighter operations.

15. Review Data

Here's how airline pilots use review data:

Obtain and review data, such as load weight, fuel supply, weather conditions, and flight schedule.

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What skills help Airline Pilots find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What type of skills will young airline pilots need?

Russ Leighton

Vice President/Director of Safety, CAPA

The outlook for U.S. Airlines in a post-pandemic economy is still unknown. Right now, it is likely that thousands of pilots will be furloughed as most U.S. carriers have drastically cutback operations, especially internationally. This will make applying for the very few job opportunities that do exist extremely competitive. Candidates with more flight experience and bachelor’s degrees will have a better likelihood of success. Military pilots and civilian pilots with aviation degrees will have the best chances of success.

Do you want to know more?

List of airline pilot skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an airline pilot resume and required skills for an airline pilot to have include:

Aircraft Systems
FAA
PIC
Flight Operations
Federal Aviation

Pilot-In-Command
Air Traffic Control
Crew Resource Management
Multi-Engine
Co-Pilot

Caribbean
Flight Safety
International Flights
SIC
Review Data

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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