Should I include my photo on a pilot resume?

No. U.S. airlines don't want photos due to equal opportunity regulations. Including one signals that you're unfamiliar with industry norms.

How do I list flight hours if I'm still building time?

List your current totals honestly. Update your resume as you gain hours. Never round up or exaggerate — airlines verify everything during background checks.

Should I include non-aviation jobs?

Yes, if they demonstrate leadership, customer service, or teamwork. A background in management, military, or customer-facing roles adds depth to your application.

What if I have a gap in my employment?

Be honest and brief. Gaps are normal — training, family, career transitions. Explain them simply in one line. Trying to hide gaps is worse than disclosing them.

Airline Pilot Resume: Kit Darby Format Guide

Why Resume Format Matters

Your resume has 30 seconds to make an impression. Airlines review thousands of applications, and hiring managers quickly scan for key information. The wrong format gets you rejected before they even read your qualifications.

The Kit Darby format is the industry standard for pilot resumes. Named after the legendary airline pilot career consultant, this format presents your information clearly, completely, and professionally. Major airlines expect it. Regional airlines prefer it.

The Kit Darby Format Structure

Section 1: Contact Information

Full Name (larger font, bold)
Address, Phone Number, Email
FAA Certificate Numbers (Private, Commercial, ATP, CFI, etc.)
Date of Birth (month/year)
Height and Weight (for uniform sizing)
Passport/Visa information (if applicable)

No photos. No graphics. No colors. Just clean, professional text.

Section 2: Flight Time Summary

This is the most critical section — airlines scan here first. Format as a clear table:

Flight Time Format

Total Time:          X,XXX
Total PIC:           X,XXX
Total Turbine:       X,XXX
Total Turbine PIC:   X,XXX
Total Multi-Engine:  X,XXX
Total Night:           XXX
Total Instrument:      XXX
Total Cross-Country: X,XXX

Then break down by aircraft type with total hours and PIC hours for each.

Section 3: Certificates & Ratings

List all current certificates with numbers and expiration dates:

ATP — Airline Transport Pilot (AMEL)
Commercial — ASEL
CFI / CFII / MEI
Type Ratings (list all)
FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit

Section 4: Work History

List jobs in reverse chronological order. Include dates, company, position, aircraft flown, duties, and reason for leaving. Be honest about gaps — explain them simply and professionally.

Section 5: Education

List degrees, flight school training, and relevant coursework or honors.

Common Resume Mistakes

Including a photo — airlines don't want them (EEOC reasons)

Fancy graphics or colors — distracting and unprofessional

Missing flight time totals — airlines reject incomplete resumes

Exaggerating hours — they verify everything

Typos or errors — shows lack of attention to detail

Too long — one page for <5,000 hours, two pages max

Not Kit Darby format — shows you don't know industry standards

Tips for Success

Keep it to one page if under 5,000 hours
Use a clean, readable font (Arial, Helvetica, Times)
Bold your name and section headers
Update your hours monthly
Have another pilot review it
Save as PDF for email applications
Print on quality paper for in-person events
Match your online application exactly
Use the Vectors to Hired Resume Builder to ensure correct format