Flight Training - June 2012 - 46

CAREER PILOT»

FROM CABIN TO COCKPIT, Lindsay Burns made the transition from flight attendant to airline first officer.

training in two. I think about all of the people who helped me along the way—the airline pilots who helped me choose the right flight school and mentored me during my training; my instructors who had the patience and skill to teach me the fundamentals and turn me into the pilot I am; the students I instructed who challenged me and taught me more than I ever could have anticipated. And my family and friends encouraged and supported me during the entire process. I am extraordinarily grateful to each one, and I know I couldn’t have achieved this dream on my own.

“The biggest piece of advice I have to offer to those who might be considering a fast-paced flight training program with the goal of becoming a career airline pilot is to jump in, do it, and don’t look back. Do your research, ask questions, and choose a flight school that best fits your needs as far as time, cost, and quality of instruction are concerned. “Set incremental goals and establish timelines to keep on track and moving toward the end goal. Know the practical test standards and always hold yourself to an even higher standard. Push yourself and don’t accept less than

CAREER ADVISOR

What should you include on a résumé?
» By Wayne Phillips

RELEVANT FLYING EXPERIENCE
With regard to your question specifically, aviation employers of first-time employees are aware of experience shortcomings. Show the prospective boss that you are a quality person. Frankly, in the Previous Experience section of a résumé, I like to see something describing the position with two or three action items such as: January 2009-March 2012 McDonalds; Howell, Michigan One of my key recommendations is to carve out a section called Specialized Training. Remember, there are thousands of people who can fly airplanes. What makes you so special? I call this window dressing for the résumé. For example: Specialized training • High altitude physiology program at the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center; February 2012 • A320 familiarization course at JetBlue University conducted by ATOP Inc.; October 2011 • Mountain flying course presented by the Colorado Pilots Association, July 2010 Finally, in the October 1999 issue of Flight Training, I wrote a piece titled “The Hunt for First Flying Jobs.” Find it online; the advice still plays today.
Wayne Phillips is an airline transport pilot with Boeing 737 and Falcon 20 type ratings. Send your career questions to careers@aopa.org and we'll answer the best ones here.

»Q. How would you recommend structuring an aviation résumé, and what material is relevant to include for a lowhour pilot? For example, I have not had an official flying job yet, but I have helped many friends ferry their airplanes across the United States. Are odd tasks like that valid to list?—Lana Lynn »A. If the industry’s crystal-ball gazers are correct, there will be plenty of need to polish a résumé.

AVIATION EMPLOYERS OF FIRST-TIME EMPLOYEES ARE AWARE OF EXPERIENCE SHORTCOMINGS. SHOW THE PROSPECTIVE BOSS THAT YOU ARE A QUALITY PERSON.
First, search “pilot résumés” on the Internet, and you will find a wide assortment of styles and formats. Frankly, there is no single standard template for aviation employers. See which style fits you personally. As a general rule, use lots of white space and illustrate the important stuff up front. The prospective employer spends just seconds with an unsolicited résumé. • Served as shift manager with oversight of five employees • Trained new employees as lead trainer for the company • Awarded “Employee of the Quarterfirst quarter 2011 Part-time and ad hoc experience • June 2010 ferry pilot: flew a CE-150 from Paris to New York • June 2010-present: CAP mission pilot

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Flight Training - June 2012

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