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Test pilot skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical test pilot skills. We ranked the top skills for test pilots based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 25.8% of test pilot resumes contained faa as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a test pilot needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 test pilot skills for your resume and career

1. FAA

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

Here's how test pilots use faa:
  • Graduate of FAA Safety Management System and Accident Investigation courses FAA Academy Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Initial US introduction / FAA certification, STC Czech turboprop.

2. 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 test pilots use pilot-in-command:
  • Perform Pilot-in-Command duties under tactical and non tactical conditions.
  • Air Mission Commander, Pilot-in-Command Maintenance Manager

3. Aircraft Maintenance

Here's how test pilots use aircraft maintenance:
  • Managed the Troop's aircraft maintenance ensuring the safe return to service of all aircraft after maintenance actions were completed.
  • Skilled in supervising and analyzing aircraft maintenance, malfunction diagnosis, vibration monitoring, and test flight data.

4. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how test pilots use logistics:
  • Exercised oversight on production/quality control, logistics processes, and material management.
  • Lead training and evaluations for approximately 150 aviation and logistics personnel.

5. 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 test pilots use flight operations:
  • Piloted, commanded and maintained cargo helicopters/aircraft in support of military flight operations.
  • Supervised all test flight operations and test pilot training / evaluations as the Lead AH-64A Apache Test Pilot.

6. 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 test pilots use aircraft systems:
  • Performed maintenance and repair of aircraft systems on operational aircraft.
  • Make operational checks of aircraft systems, using external power sources, powered ground equipment or functional tests.

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7. Test Procedures

Test procedure i defined as a tool for conducting an experiment to analyze or observe the specifications of a process or application.

Here's how test pilots use test procedures:
  • Monitored the modification of non-standard aircraft and inspected modifications with the chief engineer for compliance to airworthiness standards and test procedures.
  • Conducted tests or experiments requiring selection and adaptation or modification of a wide variety of test equipment and test procedures.

8. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how test pilots use dod:
  • team which performed camera systems integration and Research & Development flight testing for DOD contract operations.
  • Performed the duties of Predator UAS Pilot in support of the DoD at stateside and overseas locations.

9. Aircraft Performance

Here's how test pilots use aircraft performance:
  • Delivered academic lectures on aircraft performance testing and handling quality evaluations.

10. 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 test pilots use pic:
  • Acted at Pilot in Command (Pic) flying Pa31-350 on scenic tours and charters throughout the southwest.
  • Accumulated over 850 hours as PIC on G-550 aircraft Worldwide.

11. Maintenance Test Flights

Here's how test pilots use maintenance test flights:
  • Performed maintenance test flights after major repair and modifications developing from phases and resets through scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
  • Ensured the daily airworthiness of all assigned aircraft by conducting maintenance test flights/operational checks, and preventative maintenance.

12. Instructor Pilot

Instructor pilot is an individual who teaches students how to fly a plane along with the technical aspects of a plane. Usually, they have a license and a certification that allows them to teach using a stimulator or live flight instructions in a classroom.

Here's how test pilots use instructor pilot:
  • Appointed as a UV-18A/C12/RC12 Standardization Instructor Pilot and Instrument Flight Examiner.
  • Perform as an instructor pilot during training sessions for customers.

13. Combat

Combat is a violent conflict between two parties. Combat can be held by using weapons or unarmed. The fighting between the armed forces of different countries can also be called combat and the main purpose of the combat is to eliminate and stop your opponent from achieving their goal.

Here's how test pilots use combat:
  • Balance scheduled maintenance activities with the mission demand to ensure combat asset availability.
  • Performed combat, combat service, and combat service support missions, including air assault and air movement operations.

14. UAS

Here's how test pilots use uas:
  • Deploy to locations both CONUS and OCONUS in support of Hunter UAS operations.
  • Engineer responsible for integration of GCS shelter for Maverick and A160 Hummingbird rotorcraft UAS.

15. Mission Planning

Here's how test pilots use mission planning:
  • Conducted mission briefings, mission planning, and equipment walk around and inspection for every flight.
  • Trained company pilots in all aspects of mission planning system and aircraft survival equipment.
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List of test pilot skills to add to your resume

Test pilot skills

The most important skills for a test pilot resume and required skills for a test pilot to have include:

  • FAA
  • Pilot-In-Command
  • Aircraft Maintenance
  • Logistics
  • Flight Operations
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Test Procedures
  • DOD
  • Aircraft Performance
  • PIC
  • Maintenance Test Flights
  • Instructor Pilot
  • Combat
  • UAS
  • Mission Planning
  • Military Aircraft
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • New Aircraft
  • MTP
  • Army Aviation
  • Flight Procedures
  • US Army
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Maintenance Operational Checks
  • Aviation Maintenance
  • Test Equipment
  • Uh-60
  • Aircraft Components
  • Maintenance Management
  • UAV
  • Technical Manuals
  • Production Control
  • Ah-64D
  • Maintenance Program
  • Unscheduled Maintenance
  • Maintenance Practices
  • Missile
  • Technical Inspections
  • Attack Helicopter
  • UK
  • NVG
  • VIP
  • Aircraft Modifications
  • QA
  • Maintenance Actions

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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