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Independent pilot career guidance · UK & EASA routes clearly separated

Writing Your First Pilot CV

A clear, evidence-led CV structure for newly qualified pilots with limited aviation employment.

Get airline-readyWritten and reviewed by Joris Van PuttenUpdated 29 July 20262 min read

Your first pilot CV should make eligibility and evidence easy to find. It is not a poster, autobiography or place to disguise limited experience with inflated language.

Put operational facts first

  • Name, contact details and base or mobility information
  • Work rights relevant to the vacancy
  • Licence authority, licence type and ratings
  • Medical authority, class and validity
  • Total and relevant flight time, clearly defined
  • MCC or APS MCC and advanced training

Use a transparent hours table

Match the categories requested by the employer and ensure totals agree with your logbook and application form. State the date at which hours were calculated. Never count categories in a misleading way to make the total appear larger.

Translate non-aviation experience

Customer service, engineering, military, healthcare, teaching, sport and ordinary employment can all provide relevant evidence. Describe responsibility, teamwork, standards, decisions and measurable outcomes rather than simply claiming “excellent communication”.

Keep design restrained

A clean one- or two-page document with strong headings and consistent dates is normally safer than complex columns, rating graphics or decorative icons. The CV may be read quickly, printed or processed through recruitment software.

Joris’s view

Your CV should withstand a line-by-line technical interview. If a phrase would be uncomfortable to explain precisely, rewrite it before applying.

Final checks

  • Every date and total agrees across the application.
  • No unexplained gaps or overlapping employment.
  • File name identifies you professionally.
  • Spelling, aircraft designations and licence terms are exact.
  • References and personal data follow the vacancy instructions.

Need to apply this to your situation?

Bring the decision to Joris.

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