Aviation CV examples

In aviation, precision and structure aren’t just important – they’re non-negotiable. Your CV should reflect the same attention to detail that you bring to your work, ensuring recruiters can instantly spot your most relevant qualifications and experience.

This guide will help you navigate the CV writing process, ensuring your application highlights your industry expertise and ability to work in a highly regulated, safety-first environment. Whether you’re in flight operations, aircraft maintenance, or ground services, this guide will help you structure a CV that’s ready for takeoff.

Aviation is a field where precision, efficiency, and structure matter – and your CV should reflect that. A well-organised and presentable CV ensures recruiters can quickly find your qualifications, experience, and technical expertise without unnecessary distractions. 

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Keep these personal details at the top so a potential employer can reach out to you: a photo is entirely optional.
• Profile – Kick things off with a concise overview of what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.
• Core skills – Briefly highlight those qualities which make you the best candidate, such as flight operations, safety compliance, or aircraft maintenance.
• Work experience – List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent first.
• Education & certifications – Go through the academic history which underpins your expertise, like your degrees and certifications.
• Additional info – Optionally, include professional memberships, relevant hobbies, and awards you’ve earned.

A cluttered CV format is like a poorly filed flight plan – confusing and frustrating – so ensure yours is ready for a smooth landing. Use bullet points for clarity, divide sections with clear headings, and stick to a professional, easy-to-read font. Make sure it’s no longer than 2 pages: enough length to cover the essentials without boring the reader.

Your CV profile should serve as a high-level summary of your aviation expertise, immediately showing recruiters why you’re a great fit for the role. As you know, every second counts in aviation: and recruiters only spend a short few actually reading your CV, so make sure to hook them right away.

Here’s some tips on what to include:

• Your aviation background – Mention whether you work in flight operations, engineering, air traffic control, or another aviation field.
• Key qualifications – Highlight any licences, endorsements, or certifications relevant to your role.
• Safety and compliance knowledge – Showcase your understanding of aviation regulations and operational protocols.
• Technical and operational expertise – Mention specific aircraft types, systems, or procedures you’re experienced with.
• Career objective – State your professional aspirations and how you can contribute to the company.

This section is your cockpit dashboard – everything recruiters need to know at a glance. Highlight the skills that matter most, from regulatory compliance to crisis management.

Tailor this list to the job you’re applying for – whether that’s piloting, maintenance, airport management, or aviation safety. Industry-specific skills like flight planning, avionics troubleshooting, and ground handling procedures can make your CV more targeted and impactful.

Recruiters often scan this section first, so make sure your key strengths are immediately visible.

Your work experience should demonstrate not only what you’ve done, but how your contributions have improved safety, efficiency, or performance within an aviation setting.

If you’ve worked in different aviation sectors, highlight transferable skills such as teamwork, regulatory compliance, and emergency response procedures.

If you’re a recent graduate or transitioning from another industry, include internships, aviation coursework, or relevant experience that demonstrates your knowledge of the field.

• Outline – Provide a brief introduction to the airline, aviation company, or organisation you worked for.
• Responsibilities – Detail your key tasks, such as flight operations, maintenance, air traffic control, or ground support. Use action words like “managed,” “operated,” and “maintained.”
• Achievements – Highlight measurable successes, such as reducing aircraft downtime, improving safety measures, or optimising operational procedures.

In aviation, certifications and licences often carry more weight than formal education, so list all education clearly and prominently.

Include your degrees, pilot licences, engineering certifications, or air traffic control qualifications. If you’ve completed additional safety, compliance, or technical training, make sure it’s featured in this section.

For those still working towards certain certifications, mention expected completion dates to show your commitment to professional development.