cover letter for drone pilot

Drone Pilot Cover Letter Examples

Use these Drone Pilot cover letter examples to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Drone pilots operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. They use drones to capture aerial footage, conduct surveillance, and deliver packages.

Drone pilots need to be able to operate complex systems and be able to think on their feet. They also need to be able to work independently and be able to handle stress.

If you’re looking for a job as a drone pilot, use this guide to help you write a cover letter that will stand out from the competition.

Formal/Professional Writing Style Example

With extensive experience as a drone pilot and a strong passion for the rapidly evolving drone industry, I am confident that my skills and background make me a strong candidate for this role. As a licensed FAA Remote Pilot with a Part 107 certification, I have gained invaluable practical experience in safe drone operations, mission planning, and regulatory compliance.

Throughout my previous engagements, I have successfully conducted various drone-based projects, including aerial photography and videography, surveying, and inspection services. My ability to adapt my skills to cater to diverse industry needs demonstrates my flexibility in managing a wide range of tasks while ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, my disciplined approach to flight planning, pre-flight checklists, and maintaining equipment keeps safety at the forefront of all my operations.

In addition to technical expertise, I possess strong communication and teamwork skills, which I have honed during my time in various cross-functional teams. Coupled with a keen attention to detail and the ability to manage tight deadlines, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your company’s continued success as your newest drone pilot.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my passion and experience align with your company’s vision and goals. Thank you for considering my application, and I hope to have the chance to contribute my skillset to your esteemed organization.

[Your Name]

Entry-Level Writing Style Example

As a recent graduate from XYZ Flight School with a remotely piloted aircraft systems certificate, I believe I possess the necessary skills and passion for drone technology that would make me a valuable addition to your team.

During my time at XYZ Flight School, I gained hands-on experience in operating multiple drone platforms such as the DJI Phantom and Autel Robotics EVO II. I have a solid understanding of flight planning, FAA regulations, and risk mitigation. In addition, I have completed over 150 flight hours with various payloads, including high-resolution cameras and LiDAR sensors. Furthermore, I possess a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

My strong problem-solving and communication skills, honed through my previous experience in hospitality, make me well-equipped to work effectively in a team setting. I am enthusiastic about learning new technologies and am eager to contribute to innovative and challenging projects within your company.

I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and passion for drone technology to an industry-leading organization like yours. I would be grateful for the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and how I can contribute to your team during an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Networking/Referral Writing Style Example

I was referred to this opportunity by my colleague and friend, John Smith, who works as a Project Manager within your company. John and I have worked together on multiple projects over the past five years, and he has witnessed firsthand my passion and dedication to drone piloting, as well as my abilities to execute projects with the utmost professionalism and efficiency. He believed that my skill set and experience would make me an ideal candidate for this position, and I am confident that I can contribute substantially to your team.

During my professional experience as a drone pilot, I have accrued over 1,000 logged hours of flight time, flown a variety of drone models, and efficiently completed projects in various industries, such as construction, agriculture, and videography. In addition, I hold a Part 107 UAV Certification and have been trained in all necessary safety procedures.

My meticulous attention to detail ensures that my work always meets and often exceeds industry standards. This, coupled with my ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to changing project requirements has made me an asset to the teams I have worked with in the past.

I sincerely believe that my experience and dedication to drone piloting make me an excellent candidate for the Drone Pilot position at your company. I am eager to discuss my qualifications further and explore how my skills will be an asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application.

Enthusiastic/Passionate Writing Style Example

As an avid fan of drone technology and an experienced pilot, I have spent countless hours honing my skills and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in the industry. This passion has driven me to excel and constantly seek new challenges and opportunities. Upon discovering your company and the innovative work you are doing, I knew that this is the perfect place for me to take my career to new heights.

Over the years, I have gathered valuable experience operating drones in various settings, including aerial photography and surveying, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue operations. My dedication to the craft has been recognized with multiple certified training courses and awards for precision and efficiency. My love for drones is matched only by my commitment to professionalism and safety – qualities that are essential for a successful Drone Pilot.

Your company’s focus on utilizing drone technology to improve various industries deeply resonates with me. I am excited about the potential for drones to revolutionize the way we work, live, and interact with the world around us. To be able to contribute to such groundbreaking projects as a Drone Pilot at your esteemed organization would be both a dream come true and an enormous privilege.

I am confident that my passion for drone technology coupled with my skills, experience, and dedication make me the ideal candidate for this role. I eagerly await the opportunity to discuss how I can bring value to your organization and play an instrumental role in pushing boundaries in this fascinating field.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining your incredible team.

Warm regards,

Problem-Solving Writing Style Example

As an experienced drone pilot with a background in aerial photography and mapping, I am confident that my skills and passion can help solve the increasing demand for efficient and accurate survey solutions required by your company’s diverse clientele.

I understand that the growing urbanization, industrialization, and implementation of new technologies are bringing forth unprecedented challenges for industries in surveying large areas, gathering real-time data, and maintaining safety regulations. By merging my skills as a drone pilot with your company’s expertise in providing cutting-edge solutions, I believe we are set to address these problems effectively.

My experience in operating various drone models, coupled with the ability to obtain necessary permits and adhere to safety guidelines, positions me to make significant contributions to your team. In my previous roles, I have demonstrated the ability to capture high-resolution aerial imagery and create accurate maps for projects spanning multiple sectors like construction, agriculture, and environmental conservation. Thus, my knowledge in these domains will amplify the value I bring to your organization.

Moreover, I am highly skilled in using relevant software for data processing and analysis, ensuring that the valuable insights generated from drone operations are used to their fullest potential. By offering a comprehensive understanding of both drone flight and data management, I am confident in my ability to deliver the best solutions for your clients.

I believe that working together with your team, we can create innovative strategies that not only align with the company’s vision but also surpass expectations. I look forward to discussing my candidacy further through an interview, to not only showcase my deep-rooted interest in the Drone Pilot position but also learn more about your esteemed organization.

Storytelling/Narrative Writing Style Example

As I stood on the edge of the cliff, the wind whistled past my ears, carrying the faint hum of my drone as it sailed above the vast expanse of the ocean. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow on the waves crashing below. I knew then that my passion for drone technology and my expertise as a pilot had led me to this breathtaking moment.

Throughout my adult life, I have been captivated by the potential of drone technology, particularly in capturing mesmerizing aerial images and providing valuable data for various industries. This passion led me to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. I have spent countless hours honing my piloting skills and understanding the intricacies of drone operations, including flight planning, safety regulations, and maintenance.

My experience as a freelance drone pilot has allowed me to work with diverse clients, such as real estate agencies, event planners, and environmental researchers. I have successfully executed complex aerial photography projects, delivered high-quality results within tight deadlines, and demonstrated my ability to adapt to any environment. These experiences have not only sharpened my technical skills but also developed my problem-solving abilities and customer service skills.

I am excited about the opportunity to apply my passion and experience as a Drone Pilot at your organization. I am confident that my unique combination of technical expertise, creativity, and commitment to excellence will make a valuable contribution to your team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how my skills align with your needs.

Control Systems Engineer Cover Letter Examples

Sterilization technician cover letter examples, you may also be interested in..., childcare worker cover letter examples & writing tips, inventory analyst cover letter examples, assistant sales manager cover letter examples & writing tips, insurance coordinator cover letter examples & writing tips.

support your career

get the interview & get the job

• Cover Letter

drone pilot cover letter Examples & Samples for 2024

On both commercial and business flights, pilots fly aircraft carrying both passengers and cargo. In order to fly planes safely and efficiently, they typically work in pairs and perform the following tasks: making flight plans, overseeing airplane fueling, coordinating with cabin crew, speaking with air traffic control, keeping an eye on aircraft performance, responding to emergencies, and producing flight reports.

Check out the rest of our collection of more than 1000 cover letter samples if this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for.

A strong cover letter will increase your chances of being noticed. Take a look at our guide to create the .

Drone Pilot Cover Letter Example 1

I’m thrilled to be submitting my application to Topdown Aviation for the Drone Pilot position. More than 1,000 hours of drone flight time have been logged by me over the past two years of use. I have no doubt that your team would benefit from my abilities and experience.

I have a solid background in aviation, having spent the last ten years flying for commercial airlines. I have a deep understanding of the operational and safety procedures necessary to fly drones safely and effectively because I love to fly. I am also skilled at using drones for business, including for mapping, surveying, and photography.

The chance to work with your team and join Topdown Aviation excites me. I’m confident that my knowledge and experience would be an asset to your business, and I’m looking forward to talking with you more about this opportunity. My resume is enclosed for your reference.

Drone Pilot Cover Letter Example 2

I’m writing to submit an application for the Drone Pilot position that was just posted on the business website. I am certain that I possess the knowledge and expertise you are seeking, and I am convinced that I would be an excellent addition to your team.

For the past three years, I have been employed as a drone pilot, and during that time, I have accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry. I am skilled in all facets of drone operation, including fundamental flight techniques as well as sophisticated navigation and obstacle avoidance. Additionally, I am knowledgeable about all pertinent safety protocols and laws.

I am a very driven and goal-oriented person, and I always work to get the best outcomes for my clients. I am confident that I can deliver the same outcomes for your business given my track record of success.

I want to thank you for your consideration and time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Drone Pilot Cover Letter Example 3

I’m writing to let you know that I’m interested in the drone pilot job that you’ve posted. I think that my background in education and training, along with my considerable experience as a drone pilot, make me the best person to fill this position.

Since I was 16 years old, I have been flying drones. My own self-built small quadcopter served as my first drone. I practiced flying it around the neighborhood and eventually mastered its control. I picked up flying it quickly and was able to maneuver it through tight spaces between trees and buildings. In addition, I discovered how to fix it when it malfunctioned.

My second drone was a bigger hexacopter that I bought from a neighborhood hobby shop. Compared to my previous drone, this one had six rotors and could carry more weight. I used this drone to practice landing safely if one of the rotors failed and learning how to fly in windy conditions. I also learned how to operate various drone cameras so I could take aerial pictures and videos.

I studied unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in college. The course covered the development of UAVs, their applications in contemporary culture, and their operation. It also taught me about the various drone types and how to use them in various scenarios. I made the decision to specialize in drone piloting after taking this course.

I currently fly drones for several local businesses as a freelancer. I’ve worked for these businesses for a long time and have learned a lot from doing so. Additionally, I have gained useful expertise working with customers who require aerial photography or video services.

I have no doubt that your business will benefit from my abilities as a drone pilot. Additionally, I am confident that because of my previous client-facing experience, I will get along with your clients.

Drone Pilot Cover Letter Writing Tips

It’s crucial to demonstrate your enthusiasm for drones in your cover letter for a position as a drone pilot, as well as how you intend to use them in the future. Some great ways of doing this include:

• Mentioning your use of drones, whether for personal or professional purposes
• describing how you have previously used drones to aid in aerial photography, inspections, or mapping
• Detailing any training or certification you have in drone operation.

Tailor your cover letter to the job description

Make sure your cover letter is customized to the particular job description when applying for a drone pilot job. This entails carefully reading the job description and emphasizing any relevant experience or skills you possess that meet their requirements.

If the job description, for instance, requests someone with experience in aerial photography, be sure to mention any prior projects you’ve worked on that involved this type of photography. Make sure to mention any drone-related licenses or certifications you may have in your cover letter.

Highlight your problem-solving skills

You’ll be expected to work independently as a drone pilot to solve issues and finish projects. In your cover letter, emphasize your problem-solving abilities to demonstrate to hiring managers that you have the necessary skills for the position.

For instance, describe how you were able to overcome a challenge while operating a drone or how you finished a project earlier than expected. Be sure to mention any honors or other recognition you’ve received for your problem-solving abilities in your cover letter.

Proofread your cover letter

Before submitting your cover letter, it’s crucial to proofread it for errors, just like with any other job application. Make sure everything is perfect before sending it off because this is your chance to make a good first impression.

First impressions count: CV and Cover Letter Clinic

No related posts.

Related Posts

Domestic violence advocate cover letter examples & samples for 2024, store supervisor cover letter examples & samples for 2024, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Drone Pilot Cover Letter

Introduction.

When applying for a job as a drone pilot, a well-crafted cover letter can make a significant difference in the hiring process. This document allows you to showcase your skills, experience, and passion for drones, setting you apart from other applicants. A drone pilot cover letter should be concise, professional, and highlight your qualifications that specifically relate to the job you are applying for.

Cover Letter Example #1

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the drone pilot position at ABC Drone Services. With a strong background in drone operation and a passion for aerial photography, I believe I would make a valuable addition to your team.

As a certified Part 107 drone pilot, I have extensive experience in piloting various types of drones, including both fixed-wing and multi-rotor models. I have successfully completed numerous commercial drone projects, ranging from real estate photography to agricultural mapping. My technical skills in operating advanced drone systems, such as autonomous flight planning and obstacle avoidance, would allow me to contribute to the safe and efficient utilization of drones in your organization.

In addition to my technical expertise, I also possess a keen eye for capturing stunning aerial imagery. Over the years, I have honed my skills in aerial photography and videography, making sure to deliver high-quality and visually striking results to my clients. I am confident that my creative vision and attention to detail would be an asset to ABC Drone Services.

I am thrilled about the opportunity to join a leading drone services provider such as yours and contribute to the advancement of aerial technologies in various industries. Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review, and I look forward to discussing how my skills and experience align with your company’s needs.

Cover Letter Example #2

I am excited to apply for the drone pilot position at XYZ Aerial Solutions. With a strong passion for drones and extensive experience in flight operations, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

As a highly skilled drone pilot with over three years of experience, I have logged more than 500 hours of flight time across various industries, including agriculture, construction, and filmmaking. I am well-versed in pre-flight planning, airspace regulations, and maintaining safe operating procedures during missions. With excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, I can execute complex drone projects with precision and efficiency.

Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in aerial surveying and mapping using advanced software and equipment. I have successfully collaborated with surveying teams to collect, process, and analyze aerial data for infrastructure planning and environmental assessments. My proficiency in using cutting-edge drone technology, such as LiDAR and thermal imaging, enables me to provide accurate and actionable data to clients.

Furthermore, I am FAA Part 107 certified and hold a remote pilot certificate. I am committed to continued learning and staying updated on the latest industry practices and regulations to ensure the highest level of safety and compliance in all flight operations.

I believe that my skills and experience align perfectly with the requirements of the drone pilot position at XYZ Aerial Solutions. I have attached my resume for your consideration, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss in person how I can contribute to your organization’s success.

Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,

A well-crafted cover letter can be the key to securing a drone pilot position. By showcasing your skills, experience, and passion for drones, you can capture the attention of hiring managers and stand out from other applicants. Remember to tailor your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for, showcasing how your qualifications meet the needs of the organization. With a compelling cover letter, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job as a drone pilot.

Introducing John Smith: Your Expert Resume Writer, Cover Letter Specialist, and Career Coach. Meet John Smith, your dedicated partner in crafting the perfect resume, compelling cover letter, and charting your career path to success. With a passion for helping individuals reach their professional aspirations, John brings a wealth of expertise to the table as a resume writer, cover letter specialist, and career coach.

Related Posts

Elevate Your Prospects: Accountant Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2023 – Download Now

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2023

A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Amazing Accounting and Finance Cover Letter

Crafting a Standout Actor Cover Letter: Examples and Tips

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Drone Pilot Cover Letter

Download this Drone Pilot Cover Letter Design in Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages Format. Easily Editable, Printable, Downloadable.

Elevate your job application with our Free Drone Pilot Cover Letter template. Tailored for aspiring drone pilots, this template presents a concise and professional introduction to your skills and experience. Available for download in both MS Word and Google Docs formats, it offers easy customization to help you soar above the competition.

Already a premium member?  Sign in

You may also like

Drone Pilot Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates

This letter is something in which you are going to write your skills, knowledge and other necessary things. Those things should be relevant to the selection. Add all your things such as achievements and other things. Below are the examples; you can check them.

Template : 1

Table of Contents

Drone Pilot Cover Letter

James Brown

238 Broadway

United States

The HR Manager,

XYZ Company

354 F 63rd Street

Sub- Drone pilot cover letter.

Respected Sir/Madam

With great enthusiasm, I am writing this letter to bring this into your notice that I am interested in joining your reputable company that is [mention the name of the company]. All the work will be done by me in an appropriate manner.

As I have [mention the year] of experience which is gained by working at different companies. As a drone pilot I got a lot of appreciation which boosted my confidence. 

Activities which I did at my previous workplace are operated drones to collect data such as photographs or video footage often in dangerous and difficult environment, inspected and maintained drones including replacing parts as needed, communicated with other pilots or flight crews to Coordinate flight operations, inspected equipment for safe flights operation which includes navigation system and power sources such as batteries, monitored weather conditions to ensure safe flights operation, observed airspace rules and regulations to avoid collision with other aircraft and did many such activities like this.

I used to get a lot of awards such as [mention the name of the awards] for performing well as a drone pilot. 

Skills which I have in me are good communication skills, ability to work for a long period of time, can multitask, have Management skills, great time management skills and many such things. Moreover, someone who graduated from [mention the name of the institution] in the year of [mention the year].

My resume and other important documents which are required for this job are attached to this letter. Hope you will contact me soon to discuss more about this field. Thank you so much for giving me your precious time.

[Handwritten signature]

[Mention the contact details]

[Mention here, if there is any post note to be given]

Template : 2

This letter is in reply to the job vacancy which your reputable company that is [mention the name of the company] is having for the post of a drone pilot. All the duties of the same will be done by me in an appropriate manner.

Since [mention the year] I have been working as a drone pilot in different companies. 

Activities which I performed over there are recorded flight data, including location, speed, altitude and orientation of the drone, coordinating with other crew members to plan and carry out the mission, conducted research on the new technologies related to drones such as camera equipment and communication system, developed procedures to ensure the security of the operation, established measures against unlawful interference and unauthorized access.

Skills which I have in me are great communication skills, ability to deal with stressful situations, can multitask, good at decision-making, ability to analyze things quickly.

My biodata and other necessary documents which are required for this  are attached to the letter. Hope you will contact me soon to discuss more this field. I am thankful to you for giving me your precious time.

Similar Posts:

• Airline Pilot Cover Letter: 6 Templates
• How To Write a Cover Letter With No Experience: 82 Templates
• Air Force Pilot Cover Letter Examples and Tips
• Helicopter Pilot Cover Letter Samples and Templates
• Flight Attendant Cover Letter: 4 Templates
• Flight Instructor Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates
• Airline Pilot Farewell Letter Templates
• Medical Airline Refund Letter: 7 Templates
• Flight Nurse Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates
• Aerospace Cover Letter Examples: 4 Templates

“Business, marketing, and blogging – these three words describe me the best. I am the founder of Burban Branding and Media, and a self-taught marketer with 10 years of experience. My passion lies in helping startups enhance their business through marketing, HR, leadership, and finance. I am on a mission to assist businesses in achieving their goals.”

Leave a Comment

Pilot cover letter

View this sample cover letter for a pilot, or download the pilot cover letter template in word..

Having trouble getting your career to take flight? To be considered for top pilot jobs, your cover letter must demonstrate your skills and experience, as well as your passion for your work. For writing tips, view this sample cover letter for a pilot, or download the pilot cover letter template in Word.

Jobs for pilots are projected to grow by 4% (or 4,400 jobs) from 2016 through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). You'll find the highest level of employment for commercial pilots in the following states: Texas , California , Florida , Ohio , and Arizona ; and in the following metropolitan areas: Dallas , Houston , Phoenix , Los Angeles , and Fort Worth, TX .

As a pilot, you can expect to earn a median wage of $111,930 per year, according to the BLS.

Additionally, you can learn about travel service careers and look for pilot jobs on Monster.

Pilot cover letter template

Molly Peters Sometown, FL 55555 | (555) 555-5555 | [email protected]

December 8, 2017

Mr. Sam Stevens HR Director ABC Company 5 West Ave. Sometown, GA 55555

Re: Charter Pilot o Advertised on Monster

Dear Mr. Stevens:

I read your ad for a charter pilot with great interest. As a pilot with experience in military, charter and company settings, I offer 5,500 hours of flight time and credentials that include:

• Commercial Pilot License, Airplane Single & Multi-Engine Land with Instrument Rating
• FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Single and Multi-Engine Airplane
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Instrument Airplane
• FAA Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
• FAA First-Class Medical Certificate

I completed my flight training through the U.S. Air Force, graduating in the top 5% of my class. During my military career, I amassed 2,000 flight hours in the U.S. and overseas. I flew surveillance, reconnaissance and warfare missions, and served as an instructor pilot and chief test pilot of elite aircraft.

My service was distinguished through commendations and awards, including “Top Pilot” honors and the “Distinguished Flying Cross” medal for heroic acts during aerial missions.

After an honorable discharge, I served as a contract pilot for several companies, and have received repeated praise for my aviation knowledge and safety record. Aircraft include:

• Gulfstream G450 and G550 | Embraer E170 and E175 | Learjet 35 and 60
• Beechcraft King Air B200 | Hawker 800XP | Piaggio P-180 Avanti II

With a focus on delivering outstanding customer service and “wowing” passengers, I would serve your clients with excellence. You may call me at (555) 555-5555 to set up an interview.

Sincerely, Molly Peters

Enclosure: Résumé

Next: Get your resume reviewed

A cover letter is one half of what you need to land a great job; the other half is a stellar resume that details your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Could you use some help with it? Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts at Monster's Resume Writing Service . You'll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review of your resume's appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiter's first impression. Let the experts at Monster help prepare your career for takeoff.

Most Helpful In Cover Letters

Esthetician Cover Letter Sample

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

How to Write a Compelling Engineering Cover Letter – Including Example

By Jennifer Verta, Monster Contributor

Write a Letter of Interest for Your Dream Job

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

Nursing Cover Letter Example

Administrative assistant cover letter sample.

Interview and Application Tips for Drone Pilot Positions

The world of drone piloting is soaring to new heights, and the demand for skilled professionals in this field is continually on the rise. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or just getting started, landing that dream drone pilot position requires a well-crafted application and a successful interview. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore essential tips and strategies to help you stand out in the competitive world of drone piloting and secure that coveted position.

Crafting the Perfect Resume

Your resume is your first opportunity to make a strong impression on potential employers. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Begin by showcasing your relevant drone piloting experience prominently. Include details such as the types of drones you've operated, the industries you've worked in, and any specialized skills you possess, such as aerial photography or data analysis.
• Certifications and Training: Mention any relevant certifications or training you've completed, such as Part 107 certification from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) or other industry-specific qualifications.
• Technical Skills : Emphasize your technical skills, including your proficiency with drone software, camera systems, and any additional equipment you're skilled at using.
• Safety Record: Stress your commitment to safety. Employers highly value pilots with a clean safety record and a strong understanding of regulations and safety protocols.
• Project Achievements: If applicable, include any notable projects or achievements that demonstrate your skills and expertise as a drone pilot.

Write a Tailored Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter can complement your resume by providing insights into your personality and passion for drone piloting. Here's how to make your cover letter shine:

• Customize Each Letter: Tailor your cover letter for each position you apply to. Mention the specific company and position, and explain why you're a great fit for the role.
• Highlight Your Motivation: Express your genuine passion for drone technology and how it aligns with the company's mission and goals.
• Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Provide examples of how you've solved challenges or contributed positively to previous projects. Highlight your adaptability and problem-solving abilities.
• Keep it Concise and Professional: Aim for a one-page cover letter that's concise, professional, and error-free.

Network and Research

Before you submit your application, it's crucial to network and research the companies you're interested in. Here's how:

• Networking: Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups to connect with other drone pilots and professionals. Networking can lead to valuable job referrals and insights into job opportunities.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research each company you're applying to. Understand their core values, recent projects, and their place in the industry. Tailor your application to demonstrate how you can contribute to their specific needs.
• Contact Current Employees: Reach out to current employees through professional networks like LinkedIn. A friendly message expressing your interest in the company can sometimes lead to insider information or even a referral.

Prepare for the Interview

Once you've secured an interview, it's time to prepare effectively. Here's how to make a lasting impression during the interview:

• Practice Common Questions: Be ready to answer questions about your experience, safety practices, and how you handle unexpected situations while flying drones.
• Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of drone operation, including the types of drones you're familiar with and any advanced software or equipment you've used.
• Highlight Safety Awareness: Emphasize your commitment to safety and your knowledge of regulatory compliance, as safety is a top priority for employers.
• Share Success Stories: Prepare anecdotes or examples of successful projects or challenges you've overcome. This demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and practical experience.
• Ask Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the position.

Be Aware of Industry-Specific Questions

In drone piloting interviews, you may encounter questions specific to the industry or company you're applying to. Here are some potential topics to be aware of:

• Regulatory Knowledge: Be ready to discuss regulations and how you ensure compliance. Employers want to know you're aware of and can adhere to the legal requirements for drone operations.
• Data Handling: If the position involves data collection and analysis, expect questions about your experience with data handling, software, and data security practices.
• Equipment Familiarity: You might be asked about your familiarity with specific drone models, camera systems, and other equipment relevant to the job.
• Emergency Response: Be prepared to discuss how you handle emergency situations or technical malfunctions during flights.

Demonstrate Soft Skills

In addition to technical expertise, soft skills are crucial for success in drone piloting. Highlight these qualities during your interview:

• Communication: Effective communication is essential when working with a team or coordinating complex projects. Emphasize your ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Problem Solving : Provide examples of situations where you've identified and resolved problems, whether technical or logistical.
• Attention to Detail: Attention to detail is vital in piloting drones to capture accurate data or imagery. Showcase your precision and thoroughness.
• Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing conditions, weather, and equipment issues is highly valued in this field. Share instances where you've demonstrated adaptability.

Showcase Your Portfolio

During the interview, consider showcasing your portfolio to provide tangible evidence of your skills. This could include aerial photographs or videos from previous projects, 3D mapping results, or data analysis reports. Visual evidence can make a powerful impression on potential employers.

Discuss Safety Protocols

Safety is paramount in the world of drone piloting. Be prepared to discuss your commitment to safety protocols, including pre-flight checks, emergency procedures, and adherence to airspace regulations. Highlight any safety certifications or training you've completed.

Post-Interview Follow-Up

After the interview, it's essential to send a thank-you email or letter to express your appreciation for the opportunity. Use this opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention key points discussed during the interview. This follow-up reinforces your professionalism and enthusiasm for the role.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Even after you've secured your dream drone pilot position, the learning doesn't stop. The drone industry is continually evolving, with new technologies and regulations emerging. Stay up-to-date with industry developments, attend relevant workshops or courses, and network with fellow professionals to ensure your skills remain current and valuable.

Sign up for online ground school with AV8Prep and we’ll set you up with a flight school.

Faa approved flight schools all have the same requirement: take a ground school class and pass a written test.  start here with av8prep and let us help you on the journey to becoming a pilot..

Landing a drone pilot position requires a combination of careful preparation, technical expertise, and a genuine passion for the field. By crafting a compelling resume and cover letter, networking effectively, preparing for interviews, and showcasing your skills and safety awareness, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Remember that the drone industry is dynamic, and continuous learning and improvement are essential for long-term success in this exciting and ever-evolving field. With dedication and the right approach, you can navigate the skies as a successful drone pilot and achieve your career aspirations.

Elevate Your Dreams with AV8 Private Pilot Ground School Training! 

Ready to take your passion for aviation to new heights? Look no further than AV8's top-tier Private Pilot Ground School Training! Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or striving for a career in the skies, our comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to soar with confidence.

Your Journey, Your Success: At AV8, we're not just training pilots – we're nurturing future aviation leaders. With our Private Pilot Ground School Training, you'll be well-prepared to ace your exams and embark on your flight journey with confidence. Whether you're aiming for recreational flying or pursuing a professional pilot career, AV8 is here to guide you every step of the way. Enroll today and let your aviation dreams take flight!  Visit https://www.av8prep.com/   to learn more or get in touch. 

Free E-Book! The Ultimate Guide - How to Become a Pilot!

Get Your E-Book Now

• Shop Back Issues
• Aircraft For Sale
• Destinations
• Learn To Fly

Flying Brands

• The Ultimate FLYING Giveaway
• I.L.A.F.F.T. Podcast
• Modern Flying
• Helicopters
• The New Owner
• Avionics and Apps
• Instrument/accessories
• Retrofit avionics
• Oem avionics
• Portable/handhelds
• Aviation Gear
• Pilot supplies
• Aviation apps
• Flight School Guide
• Learn to Fly
• NIFA/SAFECON
• What A CFI Wants You To Know
• Flight planning
• I.L.A.F.F.T.

How to Write an Aviation Cover Letter

It probably won’t apply to all jobs in the industry, but it’s a good way to distinguish yourself from the pack..

[File photo: Adobe Stock]

So far in this series, we have covered how to write an aviation resume and how to apply for a pilot job online . There is a third career media skill that is important to know, though it won’t apply to all positions, and that is how to write a cover letter. 

The cover letter may seem like a bit of an anachronism, and in some ways it is. Few large airlines ask for one anymore; you may have noticed that the AirlineApps base application doesn’t even allow you to attach a cover letter (or a resume, for that matter). At large airlines doing a great deal of hiring, the process is quite data-driven, and the computer that spits out your name to be interviewed by a human will have zero appreciation of a well-crafted cover letter. Still, even at these companies you will bring your resume to the interview, and this should be accompanied by a cover letter—even if it seems destined to languish, unread, in the interviewer’s file folder. 

The cover letter assumes much greater importance for corporate jobs, at smaller companies, whenever mailing or emailing your resume unbidden, when pounding the street and “cold-calling” potential employers, and when meeting recruiters at job fairs. Your cover letter accompanies and enhances your resume by fleshing out a potential employer’s idea of you. It’s more important in the early stages of your career, when your credentials alone aren’t so impressive. By presenting a neat, well-organized, well-written cover letter, you are introducing yourself as a neat, well-organized, and intelligent candidate—a future employee more valuable than your certificates and hours alone might indicate. 

Not a Writer?

The challenge here is that there are plenty of people who are neat, well-organized, and intelligent who are not naturally good writers. If this describes you, I highly suggest that you enlist the help of more literate friends or family members, even to the point of having someone ghost write your basic cover letter. If you don’t know such a person, hire one online (starving writers are a dime a dozen), and get them to proof your resume while you’re at it. Readability is everything; an overly wordy, confusing, or typo-riddled cover letter will quickly be cast aside. 

What Goes in a Cover Letter?

Your cover letter should take the form of a one-page business letter; an example is above with a key for reference. The letter need not be long, and in many cases might fill half the page. It should be left-justified in block format, with a single space between most elements before the signature block. It should be semi-formal in tone, use active voice, and be personalized for each job that you are interested in. Most will be similar enough that it’s useful to create a baseline stock copy, and then modify as needed. 

The first element is your home or permanent address, without your name or title (1). After a single space, put today’s date, in written rather than digital format (2). Next, write the name and address of the company you are targeting (3). Ideally you will know the name and title of the person who does the hiring, and this should precede the address. Do some digging if necessary; this will demonstrate knowledge of the target company. 

The salutation (4) should be personalized if you know the recipient’s name, and should take the form of “Dear Ms. Lastname,” “Dear Mr. Lastname,” or “Dear Firstname Lastname.” If you don’t know the recipient’s name, the salutation should be gender-neutral. “To Whom It May Concern:” is rather impersonal; “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “Dear Sir/Madam,” is better. 

The body of the letter should be three or four paragraphs. In the first paragraph (5), state your purpose for writing, i.e. your interest in the job. This is a good place to demonstrate knowledge of the company, to appropriate their buzzwords or slogans, and to drop the names of any internal recommendations. This is a place for active verbs and vivid adjectives. You are capturing the reader’s interest. 

In the middle paragraph or paragraphs (6), you are summarizing your background and experience as it relates to this particular job. You don’t want this to just be a redundant reiteration of your resumé; you want to better flesh out who you are, why you want the job, and why you’d be the ideal candidate, making your case in ways that you canno t within the rigid confines of a resumé. It’s OK to get a little personal here, sharing the influences that made you who you are, and explaining (in a positive manner) why you’re ready to move on to this job (7). This is a good spot to humblebrag how you’ve been a positive force at your current and previous employers (8), and to bring up subtle factors that set you apart from the competition (9). 

The closing paragraph (10) is the place to make your call to action. You’re asking for an interview here; don’t be shy about it. Make reference to enclosures, include your contact information, and close on a gracious note. 

The signature block (11) should include a valediction (“Sincerely,” is a safe bet; “Sincerely yours,” “Respectfully yours,” or “Cordially,” are also good options), and then four spaces, followed by your name, formatted as it appears on the header of your resume. Within the four spaces you can insert a graphic of your signature, or leave blank to be physically signed if printed on paper, or just leave blank altogether. After your name and an additional space, type the word “Enclosures:” and the number of physical or email attachments included.

If this cover letter is intended to be taken with you while you pound the pavement or attend job fairs, print it on high-quality paper similar (but not necessarily identical) to that of your resume. 

More From V1 Rotate

Is this the end of the pilot shortage, after a training fail, what comes next, how professional pilots can survive probationary periods, financing the pro pilot dream…without getting scammed, v1 rotate: new zealand by air, a primer on pilot certificate conversions, new to flying, already have an account.

Drone Pilot Resume Guide

Drone pilots fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a variety of purposes. Commercial drone pilots may fly drones to take photographs or videos for real estate companies, wedding planners, or other businesses. Drone pilots who work for the government may fly drones for surveillance or intelligence-gathering purposes. Some drone pilots are self-employed and offer their services to anyone who needs them.

You have the skills and experience to fly a drone like a pro. But potential employers don’t know about your abilities, so you need to write a resume that highlights your strengths.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

Table of Contents

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Drone Pilot Resume Sample

Paxton Zboncak Drone Pilot

[email protected] 763-783-4277 linkedin.com/in/paxton-zboncak

Proficient drone pilot with 6 years of experience in commercial applications. Adept at flying drones for photography, videography, and mapping purposes. Certified by the FAA to fly drones commercially. At XYZ, flew drones to capture aerial footage of properties for real estate marketing purposes. Piloted a drone for 50 hours over the course of 3 months to create an accurate 3D map of a 200-acre property.

Drone Pilot, Company ABC Fremont, Jan 2018 – Present

• Spearheaded the development and implementation of a new drone delivery system that increased efficiency by 25%.
• Coordinated with a team of 5 engineers to develop a new drone prototype that could fly in adverse weather conditions.
• Reliably flew drones for 10 hours per day, delivering packages to customers on time and without incident.
• Tested different prototypes in a variety of real-world scenarios to assess their feasibility and performance.
• Calibrated drones before each flight to ensure accuracy and safety.

Drone Pilot, Company XYZ Eugene, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

• Represented the company in 50+ events, flying the drone and demonstrating its capabilities to potential customers.
• Repaired drones when they returned from flights, replacing parts as necessary and ensuring that they were in good working condition before the next flight.
• Resourcefully used spare parts to fix drones when no replacement part was available, reducing downtime by 2 days on average.
• Compiled data from each flight into reports, detailing any issues that arose and suggesting possible solutions; created a database of over 100 potential clients.
• Fixed software glitches in the drone’s operating system, allowing it to fly for longer periods of time without crashing; increased flight time by 15 minutes on average.
• Drone Operation
• FAA Regulations
• Airspace Management
• Flight Planning
• Aircraft Maintenance
• Radio Communication
• Weather Patterns
• GPS Navigation
• Visual Line Of Sight

Drone Pilot Certificate Educational Institution XYZ Nov 2011

Certifications

Drone Pilot License FAA May 2017

Related Resume Examples

• Video Producer

1. Summary / Objective

Your resume summary/objective is like a teaser trailer for the rest of your resume – it should give the employer essential information about you and, if written correctly, compel them to read on.

Some things you could mention in your summary include your experience flying drones commercially, your Part 107 certification, and how you helped grow a business’s drone program from the ground up.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Seasoned drone pilot with 5+ years of experience in a wide range of environments, including photography, videography, mapping, and surveying. Certified by the FAA for both commercial and private drone use. Skilled in operating drones equipped with various payloads and sensors. Seeking to leverage my skills as a drone pilot at ABC Co., where I can contribute to your aerial data collection efforts.

Passionate drone pilot with 4+ years of experience flying drones for photography and videography purposes. Seeking to capture beautiful aerial shots and videos at ABC. At XYZ, created stunning visuals for 6 national commercials, 3 music videos, and 2 feature films. Won “Best Cinematography” at the LA Film Festival for work on short film “The Last Goodbye.”

Talented and experienced drone pilot with more than 500 hours of flight time. Certified by the FAA and Insured. Experienced in flying various types of drones for photography, videography, and surveying purposes. Seeking to leverage my skills to help ABC company capture amazing aerial shots and footage.

Dependable and detail-oriented Drone Pilot with 4+ years of experience flying drones for photography and videography purposes. Proven ability to capture high-quality photos and videos while adhering to all safety regulations. At ABC, piloted drones for 25 weddings, averaging 10 hours of flight time per event. Seeking to leverage expertise in aerial photography to help grow the business at XYZ.

Accomplished drone pilot with 2+ years of experience flying in various environments and conditions. Trained in search-and-rescue operations, mapping, and photography. In previous roles increased productivity by 30% via the development of an automated flight plan that streamlined data collection. Seeking to leverage skill set to safely and efficiently capture images for ABC Corp.

Driven drone pilot with 3 years of experience in photography and videography. I am passionate about using my skills to capture unique perspectives and create stunning visuals. My work has been featured on major news outlets such as ABC, NBC, and CBS. I am excited to bring my creative eye and technical expertise to your company in order to produce high-quality content that will engage and inspire your audience.

Energetic and experienced drone pilot. In previous roles increased efficiency by 35% and decreased fuel costs by 19%. Certified in both the United States and Canada. Seeking to leverage my experience and skillset to take on more challenging projects with ABC Corporation.

Hard-working and certified drone pilot with 3+ years of experience in providing aerial photography and videography services for a variety of clients. Proven ability to operate drones safely and efficiently in different environments while adhering to all regulations. Seeking to leverage expertise in flying drones to provide high-quality services at ABC.

Enthusiastic and certified drone pilot with 2+ years of experience flying drones for photography, cinematography, and surveying purposes. Skilled in operating various types of drones under different conditions. Seeking to join the ABC team to provide top-quality aerial footage for their clients. In previous roles increased customer satisfaction by 20% through providing high-quality images and videos.

2. Experience / Employment

The work history/experience section is where you list your previous jobs. This should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top.

Stick to bullet points for this section; they’re easier for the reader to scan and understand. When writing the bullets, try to include specific details about what you did and the results achieved.

For example, rather than saying “Flew drones,” you could say, “Operated drones for photography and videography purposes, capturing footage of weddings, real estate properties, and other events.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Other general verbs you can use are:

• Coordinated
• Demonstrated
• Facilitated
• Participated
• Reorganized
• Represented
• Spearheaded
• Streamlined

Below are some example bullet points:

• Utilized a remote control to operate a drone for photography and videography purposes, capturing footage of landscapes, real estate properties, weddings and other events.
• Achieved a 96% success rate in completing assigned tasks within the specified timeframe; often completed tasks ahead of schedule.
• Mentored new team members on proper drone operation and safety procedures; created an instructional guide that is used by the team today.
• Actively communicated with clients to ensure that their specific needs were being met; provided them with regular updates on project status.
• Revised flight paths for 50+ drones to avoid obstacles and ensure timely package delivery, resulting in a 5% decrease in average delivery time.
• Participated in 10+ drone races, coming in first place 3 times and second place 5 times; helped to promote the company’s brand by wearing branded clothing and flying with a branded flag attached to the drone.
• Inspected drones before each flight to ensure that they were in good working condition and had enough battery life; replaced parts on 15 drones that were not up to par.
• Presented new ideas for improving the current drone delivery system at monthly team meetings, such as adding GPS tracking devices to all packages so that customers can see where their package is at all times.
• Efficiently completed 100+ flights without incident, delivering packages safely and on time; received positive feedback from customers regarding promptness of service.
• Prepared the drones for flights by conducting thorough pre-flight checks and inspections.
• Monitored the drones during flights and adjusted course as necessary to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Post-flight, downloaded data from the drones’ onboard computers and analyzed it to identify any areas needing improvement.
• Facilitated the delivery of 50+ packages a day via drone, ensuring that all items arrived on time and in good condition.
• Diligently maintained the drones, conducting daily checks for damage and replacing parts as necessary; lowered repair costs by $500 over the course of 6 months.
• Assembled new drones according to company specifications; completed tasks 30% faster than the average assembly time.
• Reduced package delivery times by an average of 15 minutes per day by developing a more efficient flight route.
• Reorganized the drone storage area, increasing space utilization by 20%.
• Thoroughly pre-flighted drones and all related equipment prior to every flight, ensuring that all systems were functioning properly.
• Developed an in-depth understanding of how to operate various types of drones, as well as the software and applications associated with them.
• Assessed potential flight paths and hazards before each mission, making necessary adjustments to ensure a safe and successful flight.
• Expedited package delivery times by successfully navigating through tight spaces and difficult terrain, while avoiding obstacles along the way.
• Demonstrated exceptional flying skills by completing over 100 missions without incident or accident.
• Controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture images and footage for various projects, ensuring that the drones were operated within legal boundaries at all times.
• Set up and calibrated drone equipment before every flight, as well as performed routine maintenance checks to ensure optimal performance; troubleshot technical issues when they arose.
• Proficiently piloted drones in a variety of settings and weather conditions, while adhering to strict safety protocols; completed over 100 successful flights without incident.
• Formulated new flight paths and strategies as needed in order to achieve desired results for clients; increased efficiency by 15%.
• Structured workflows and established best practices for other team members to follow when operating drones; created an instructional manual that was used by new hires.
• Upgraded drone models twice a year, ensuring that the latest technology was always being used.
• Checked and maintained drones before and after every flight, logging all maintenance records.
• Piloted drones for up to 10 hours a day, completing over 100 flights per month on average.
• Confidently flew drones in a variety of weather conditions and terrain, including high winds and mountainous areas.
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills when dealing with technical issues mid-flight; was able to safely land drone in difficult situations on multiple occasions.
• Advised clients on the best type of drone to purchase based on their budget and needs.
• Improved the accuracy of product deliveries by 10% using drones.
• Operated a drone for up to 8 hours per day, covering a total distance of 100 miles.
• Competently piloted a drone in various weather conditions, including strong winds and rainstorms.
• Introduced new safety protocols that reduced accidents involving drones by 25%.

The skills section of your resume for a drone pilot job should highlight both your technical skills (such as in aircraft systems and flight planning) as well as your non-technical skills (such as being able to stay calm under pressure).

You can discuss these further in other sections, such as the summary or experience section. For example, you might want to elaborate on how you successfully completed a commercial photography project despite high winds and difficult terrain.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

• Aerial Photography
• Agricultural Mapping
• Cargo Transport
• Construction
• Emergency Response
• Environmental Monitoring
• Event Coverage
• Film And Television Production
• First Person View
• Fixed Wing Drones
• Infrastructure Inspection
• Law Enforcement
• Marketing And Advertising
• Multirotor Drones
• Package Delivery
• Real Estate
• Search And Rescue
• Videography

4. Education

Mentioning your education on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If this is your first job, list your education below your resume objective. However, if you have significant work experience already, you may not want to include an education section at all.

If including an education section, only mention courses and subjects that are relevant to the drone pilot role you’re applying for. Examples might be “Courses included Intro to Flight Physics, Aviation Weather and Airspace Law”.

5. Certifications

Certifications are not always necessary, but they can be helpful in demonstrating your proficiency to potential employers. If you have any certifications specific to the job you are applying for or the industry you wish to enter, include them here.

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Paxton Zboncak, this would be Paxton-Zboncak-resume.pdf or Paxton-Zboncak-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is an excellent way to expand on the information found in your resume and introduce yourself to a potential employer. They are typically made up of 2-4 paragraphs, and you can use them to explain why you would be the perfect candidate for the job.

It’s important to remember that not all jobs will require a cover letter, but in those cases where one is requested, it’s always best to submit one. This is because it gives you an opportunity to showcase your writing skills and highlight your suitability for the role.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Vicente,

I am writing to apply for the position of Drone Pilot at [company name]. As a certified drone pilot with experience flying drones for both commercial and recreational purposes, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

In my current role as a freelance drone operator, I have worked with clients in a variety of industries, including real estate, construction, and event photography. My experience has taught me how to safely and effectively operate drones in various environments and under different conditions. In addition, I have developed strong problem-solving skills that have come in handy when troubleshooting issues mid-flight.

I am knowledgeable about all relevant FAA regulations and take pride in adhering to all safety standards. In addition, I am insured for up to $1 million in liability coverage. My commitment to safety combined with my technical expertise makes me an ideal candidate for this position.

I look forward to speaking with you soon about this opportunity. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your name]

Drone Pilot Resume Templates

Drone Jobs – How to Find Work as a Commercial Drone Pilot

By: Author Nicole Malczan

Posted on Published: August 21, 2021  - Last updated: April 3, 2024

It’s long since been your dream to become a commercial drone pilot. There are many exciting industries you can work in, and the list grows longer all the time. You have moderate amounts of drone flight experience, so now you’re ready to pursue a professional career. How do you do it?

Here’s how to become a commercial drone pilot:

• Pass the FAA knowledge exam to earn your license
• Buy a high-quality drone
• Build a website with a varied portfolio
• Ask your social circle for job leads
• Network often 
• Join job boards and apply for jobs

In this ultimate guide to becoming a commercial drone pilot , we’ll expand further on the steps above so you’ll have all the info you need to find your first gig. We’ll also examine the market outlook for drone pilots, including a discussion of what your income might look like. 

How to become a professional drone pilot 

First, per the steps into the intro, let’s delve into the steps necessary to become a commercial drone pilot. 

1. Get your drone license

In the United States, the organization that mandates drone rules is the Federal Aviation Administration or FAA. This organization will also issue your drone license.

First-time pilots who want a commercial drone license must meet certain criteria. You must be older than 16. Mentally and physically, you must be deemed in good condition to operate a drone. You must also understand the English language, including being able to write, speak, and read it. 

Then you can enroll with the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application or IACRA , creating a profile there to get your FAA Tracking Number or FTN. 

Now it’s time to schedule your test via this site . You can use the site to find an FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Center near you. 

Then you’ll take the Unmanned Aircraft General or UAG exam, which will quiz you on everything aeronautics. The link in the prior sentence takes you to a PDF courtesy of the FAA with sample questions to give you an idea of what’s on the test. These exact questions will likely not be asked of you during your UAG exam though.

What questions will you see? The FAA recommends brushing up on these areas:

• Flying a drone at night
• Preflight inspection 
• Drone maintenance
• Airport operations
• Aeronautical judgment and decision-making
• The effects of alcohol and drugs on judgment and flight abilities
• Small unmanned aircraft performance
• Radio communication protocols
• Crew resource management 
• Emergency procedures
• Loading small unmanned aircraft
• How weather impacts small unmanned aircraft
• Classifying airspaces 
• Flight restrictions

You can study on your own using the free resources provided by the FAA, or to improve your chances of passing on the first try, you can take an online course to help you get prepared for the FAA knowledge test, also commonly referred to as the Part 107 test. Here are some courses we recommend . 

You can also check out our resource on commonly asked questions about the Part 107 exam and process to find out more about this test and what’s involved. 

On testing day, you must have a government-approved photo ID to take the UAG exam. After the test wraps up, you’ll either have passed or failed. If you pass, then you need to sign in to your IACRA profile to fill out FAA Form 8710-13, which is for your remote pilot certification or license.

To do this, log into the IACRA website, go to Start New Application, and fill out all the information, including your Knowledge Test Exam ID, which is 17 digits long. After your electric signature is processed, you’ll have to pass a background check by the TSA.

If you do that and everything is processed, you’ll receive your remote pilot certificate. 

A Part 107 remote pilot license is good for two years. Then you have to follow all the steps to this point again to keep your license current.  

2. Buy a high-quality drone

To celebrate passing the UAG exam, why not treat yourself to a new drone? In some instances, a commercial drone might be provided to you courtesy of your employer, but if you’re going the self-employed route, you might need to upgrade your equipment to get the kind of work you need to succeed.

After all, how are you supposed to get better at flying a drone without a UAV of your own? Plus, you’ll need a drone to create your portfolio, which we’ll talk more about shortly. 

Your drone must have a camera for photography and videography. You should expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $1,500 for a drone of this caliber. In this guide, we offer plenty of pointers for what to look for when buying your first drone with a camera . 

In addition, your drone should have intelligent flight features such as route mapping and follow-me mode. These features allow for a hands-off flight so you can focus more on taking photos and videos, and really take your work to the professional level. 

A gimbal will provide camera stability, a must if you want crisp shots. A one-inch camera sensor will reduce digital noise while increasing light sensitivity, so that’s recommended as well. 

You also need a good photo and video resolution. Your camera doesn’t have to be the highest-quality device ever, but it shouldn’t be so cheap that your photos are always grainy.

3. Build a website and post your portfolio

As a commercial drone pilot, chances are good that you’ll do at least some work on a freelance basis. Your clients will want to learn more about you before deciding to hire you, so having a website of your own is essential. 

Today, making your own website is about as easy as it gets. You can use free website builders like Weebly or Wix or beginner-friendly services such as GoDaddy. Many website builders have drag-and-drop features so you can configure the layout of your website just the way you like it.

If you’re drawing creative blanks on how to design your website, you can always use pre-built templates.

Ideally, once you start earning money through your commercial drone work, you’ll want to invest in a better website that doesn’t use templates. Your site will be more professional and could attract even more traffic. 

For now, what matters most is the presence of your portfolio. On your website, showcase your best drone photos and/or videos. Your drone photography or videography should be centered on the niche or industry you want to break into.

For example, if you want to become a real estate drone pilot , then perhaps your portfolio focuses on buildings, homes, and landscapes. 

Keep your portfolio varied though, even if it is centralized around one topic. If you edit your photos, you can post some raw photos (that you really like) versus those that you edit to show the breadth of the work you do. You can also showcase photos that are in color versus black and white as another example. 

If your role in drone piloting is less about taking photos and videos and more about operating or repairing drones, then make sure there’s a section on your website where you list your experience. 

4. Ask your social circle for job leads

You’ve got your drone license, your website, and your portfolio. If you haven’t already, it’s time to update your resume, because you’re going job hunting. 

We recommend starting with people you already know whether through your current job or your past job. Your friends and family are viable people to ask as well. Connect with them and query them on whether they know anyone who might know someone who can help you get your foot in the door as a commercial drone pilot. 

Maybe someone can help you out or perhaps not, but it never hurts to try. If your social circle can’t point you in the direction of any good leads or if you have some leads but they dry up, don’t worry. You have plenty more options for finding work as a drone pilot.  

5. Network often

Whenever you find some spare time, you should network. That can entail going to in-person networking events, but don’t underestimate online networking. Social media platforms can be a great way to meet new people, for instance.

Everyone always assumes LinkedIn is the only social platform you can use to find a job, but that’s not true. You can upload clips of you flying a drone on YouTube and include your email address in your contact information. Someone who sees your awesome drone abilities might contact you.

You can also join Facebook groups related to commercial drones. Your next job lead could arrive through a group like this.  

6. Join job boards and apply for jobs 

Your third avenue for finding work as a commercial drone pilot is to look at job boards. You can start with the generalized boards and websites such as Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter, as these sites will have drone jobs as they’re posted.

We recommend looking for job boards centered on drones and applying for openings here as well. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application, showing the breadth of your experience.

With time, you’ll be invited in for interviews. The interview might not be exactly like the sit-down conversations you have when applying for every other job. You’ll likely have to bring your drone with you to show off your skills, if not during the first interview, then during the second or third.  

7. Take freelance jobs as they come

As the beginning stages of your career, you should take any freelance drone piloting gig that comes your way to gain experience and help you build your portfolio. One good way to begin is with a DroneBase account, although this method of finding jobs will not be profitable over the long game .

Still, getting a little bit of payout, and a lot of experience will help you build your career, and boost your confidence, so don’t be overly picky as to what jobs you take as you’re starting out. You never know what they might lead to! 

» MORE: How to Become a Professional Drone Pilot

Are drone jobs in demand? (Market Outlook)

Before you pursue a job as a commercial drone pilot, you have to know: is your career one that’s going to be around in the next three to five years? What about the next seven to ten years?

To answer that, we’ll review the industry’s market outlook. A book called Drone Service Market to 2027 – Global Analysis and Forecasts by Type, Services, Industries, and Law Enforcement ( source ) predicts that from 2020 to 2028, the drone service market around the world is expected to grow by more than 50 percent.

More and more industries are realizing what drones can do. Instead of disturbing sensitive ecosystems like we people do when surveying, a drone can leave everything intact. Rather than put your own life in danger trying to get an awesome aerial shot or entering a mine for surveying, a drone can do it. 

Although it’s always hard to say where any industry will go in these ever-changing times, the projected eight-year growth period for drones is astronomical! Keep in mind that the estimated 51.1% growth is for worldwide drone piloting, not just in the United States. Even still, the prognosis is very good for those looking to get into a career as a drone pilot. 

How much money do professional drone pilots make?

Another question that’s assuredly on your mind is how much money you can make as a commercial drone pilot.

That’s a lot harder to answer. As we talked about earlier, your work as a drone pilot might be on a freelance basis. In that case, then your earnings are capped by how many clients you have, how much they’re willing to pay you, and how many hours you can put into each workweek.

For those commercial drone pilots that are part of a company, you might have a fixed salary. 

Then you have to take into account that where you live plays a role in how much money you can earn as a commercial drone pilot. As you can see then, there are many factors that can lead to income fluctuations.

That’s why you hear of drone pilots who make a killing by flying drones or taking photos or videos. There are just as many commercial drone pilots out there who might struggle to make ends meet and can’t quit their day job yet. 

To accommodate for the range of the abovementioned factors, we’ll defer to Indeed’s income estimate for commercial drone pilots. According to Indeed, a drone pilot in the US might earn $42,800 a year. Could your own income be higher than that? Absolutely. It could also be lower.  

Industries professional drone pilots work in 

Ideally, before you apply for your first job as a commercial drone pilot, you must choose the niche or industry you want to work in . This is something we touched on earlier in the guide, so let’s talk about it in more detail now.

When news happens around you, having a commercial drone to capture it will put you head and shoulders above the competition. Working in the news industry on a freelance basis can be a tough role to occupy though. You have to constantly find newsworthy occurrences and get to them before anyone else.

Then you have to hope that a news company is willing to pay you a high price for your videos or photos. 

Entertainment

Have you ever watched a film or TV show and wondered how the director got some of their shots? It’s not all CGI today. Instead, directors frequently rely on drone pilots to fly a drone and bring a scene to life. 

Sporting events are another huge area of entertainment in which drones are becoming commonplace. It’s a lot safer and less obtrusive for a drone to be on a sports field than it is for a person. The quality of footage you can get from that unique vantage point dazzles audiences. 

Archaeology 

Before unearthing an unexplored area, archaeologists rely on drones to help determine whether anything might be below ground level. They’ll also use a drone to scope out the safety of the site. This is very fulfilling work you could be doing, especially if your drone surveying helps others find a new dinosaur species! 

When someone files an insurance claim, the insurer usually visits the site to check out the damage. In the event of a fire, a flash flood, or a tornado, physically going to the site can be impossible and very unsafe. 

A drone can get through and assess the site in a way that people cannot. Drones are also useful in insurance for property risk assessments and fraud claims inspections. 

Real Estate

We talked about this earlier, but real estate is another industry in which you see drones more and more. After all, have you ever stopped to think about where those overhead shots of homes for sale come from?

It’s not a person taking those photos or videos anymore, thankfully. It’s a drone doing it. Your work could inspire someone to make an offer on a new house, which is exciting stuff! 

Mining is another industry we touched on in this guide. Rather than putting human lives at risk to inspect a potentially dangerous mine, a drone can go in and assess whether the area is safe. Drones can also reach narrower passageways than people can.  

Drone images can also be used to measure stockpile volumes and plan new mine roads in ways that are impossible from the ground.

Construction

Before construction work begins on a new building, drones will usually survey the area to gather data on what’s both aboveground and underground. The construction team can use this data to make educated decisions on whether the land they’re building on is safe. 

Your work could prevent catastrophic disasters, which is a big deal. 

Surveying 

Site mapping and surveying is yet another job you could do as a commercial UAV pilot. Your drone can cross large expanses of land in a short time, saving dozens to hundreds of manhours. Plus, as we’ve said throughout this guide, a drone can survey land safely and without disrupting a sensitive ecosystem. 

Conclusion 

Finding work as a commercial drone pilot starts with obtaining your FAA license, which you must renew every two years by passing the FAA knowledge test. Then you need a portfolio, a website, and a job lead. 

The world of drone piloting, surveying, photography, and videography is a lucrative one with staying power. You can work in an assortment of industries on a freelance or hired basis, making a difference every single day! 

Professional Pilot Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your pilot cover letter must immediately grab attention. Highlight your flight hours and certifications. Showcase your ability to communicate and lead, integral skills for any cockpit. Demonstrate your commitment to safety and continuous learning.

Cover Letter Guide

Pilot Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Pilot Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Embarking on your job hunt, you've likely discovered that a compelling pilot cover letter is a crucial step to landing your dream role. It's not just a repeat of your resume; it's your chance to narrate your proudest professional triumph. While maintaining formality, dodge the dull clichés and pack a powerful punch in a concise, one-page story. Let's guide you through crafting a cover letter that stands out as much as your most significant achievement.

• Write a pilot cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
• Understand how to start and end your pilot cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
• What to include in the body of your pilot cover letter to put your best foot forward;
• Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your pilot cover letter.

And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your pilot resume into Enhancv's AI cover letter generator, and it will write your cover letter for you in just a few moments.

If the pilot isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Pilot resume guide and example
• School Bus Driver cover letter example
• Porter cover letter example
• Commercial Pilot cover letter example
• Bus Driver cover letter example
• Airline Pilot cover letter example
• Pizza Delivery Driver cover letter example
• Traffic Manager cover letter example
• Amazon Delivery Driver cover letter example
• Travel Manager cover letter example
• Airport Manager cover letter example

Pilot cover letter example

Payton Webster

Fort Worth, TX

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Demonstrating real-world application of skills by providing concrete examples of how you have handled difficult situations, such as the strategic reroute during adverse weather conditions, can significantly bolster your credibility and showcase your problem-solving abilities.
• Highlighting commendations or recognitions received in past roles, such as being commended for outstanding performance, helps to emphasize a track record of excellence and reliability which is crucial in roles that have a strong focus on safety and compliance.
• Expressing a clear understanding of the role's demands and a readiness to contribute to specific team objectives shows that you are not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the job and the company's mission.
• Ensuring that the cover letter addresses the specific requirements of the job posting, which implies tailoring your qualifications and experiences to align with what is being sought by the employer, thereby increasing the relevance of your application.

The must-have sections and format of your pilot cover letter

When writing your pilot cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:

• Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
• Personalized salutation;
• Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
• Middle paragraph with key details;
• Closing that starts from clichés;
• Sign off (that's not mandatory).

Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your pilot cover letter, refer to one of our templates , which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.

Choose the same font for your pilot cover letter as you did for your resume : the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.

Export your whole pilot cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.

The top sections on a pilot cover letter

• Header: This includes the pilot's contact information, the date, and the address of the airline's hiring manager, providing the necessary details for correspondence.
• Greeting: A personalized salutation addressing the hiring manager by name establishes a direct and respectful engagement, which is important in the aviation industry.
• Introduction: The intro should mention the pilot's current licensing, flight hours, and a brief reference to their passion for aviation, immediately showcasing their eligibility for the pilot position.
• Professional Experience and Qualifications: This section highlights the pilot's specific flying experiences, safety records, types of aircraft flown, and any extraordinary situations they have adeptly managed, which are critical details for aviation recruiters.
• Closing and Call to Action: A professional sign-off that reiterates the pilot's enthusiasm for the opportunity and their readiness to discuss their qualifications in further detail, inviting the recruiter to take the next step.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or relevant certifications: Demonstrates the pilot meets rigorous training and regulatory requirements.
• Flight hours experience: Proves the pilot has practical experience and skill, especially in specific aircraft types relevant to the position.
• Safety record: Indicates the pilot's commitment to safety protocols and their ability to operate flights safely.
• Adaptability and decision-making skills: Highlights the ability to handle unexpected situations and make sound judgments under pressure.
• Communication skills: Essential for effective cockpit crew coordination, air traffic control interaction, and passenger communication.
• Knowledge of aviation regulations and procedures: Shows the pilot is well-versed in the legal and procedural frameworks governing flight operations.

How to personalize your pilot cover letter greeting

Before you start writing your pilot cover letter, take the time to find out who is recruiting for the role.

Search for the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or the corporate website to address them personally in your pilot cover letter salutation .

What if you can't find out who's recruiting for the role?

Always aim to avoid the very impersonal "Dear Sir/Madam" - instead, opt out for "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager" to make a better first impression.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Captain [Last Name],
• Dear Chief Pilot,
• Dear [Airline Name] Recruitment Team,
• Dear Director of Flight Operations,
• Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],

Introducing your profile to catch recruiters' attention in no more than two sentences

The introduction of your pilot cover letter is a whole Catch 22 .

You have an allocated space of no more than just a paragraph (of up to two sentences). With your introduction, you have to stand out and show why you're the best candidate out there.

Set out on a journey with your pilot cover letter by focusing on why you're passionate about the job. Match your personal skills and interests to the role.

Another option for your pilot cover letter introduction is to show you're the ideal candidate. Write about how your achievements and skills are precisely what the company is looking for.

However you decide to start your pilot cover letter, always remember to write about the value you'd bring about. Making it both tangible (with your metrics of success) and highly sought out.

What to write in the middle or body of your pilot cover letter

Here's where it gets tricky.

Your pilot cover letter body should present you in the best light possible and, at the same time, differ from your resume.

Don't be stuck in making up new things or copy-pasting from your resume. Instead, select just one achievement from your experience.

Use it to succinctly tell a story of the job-crucial skills and knowledge this taught you.

Your pilot cover letter is the magic card you need to further show how any organization or team would benefit from working with you.

Ending your pilot cover letter to avoid "Sincerely yours"

Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.

But you want to give recruiters something more with your pilot cover letter ending .

Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).

Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.

Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.

Which story should you tell in your pilot cover letter when you have zero experience

Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.

Your pilot cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.

And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?

Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).

Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your pilot cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.

Key takeaways

Your pilot cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:

• Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your pilot cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
• Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your pilot cover letter greeting;
• Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
• Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
• Close your pilot cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

How to Create a General Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

Do resume templates work, what's the best way to address a cover letter, how to write a resume headline (5 examples you need to steal), how to write a resume personal statement (with examples), stay or go: navigating the gray area of quitting a new job.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Resume Templates

Resume samples

Create and edit your resume online

Generate compelling resumes with our AI resume builder and secure employment quickly.

Write a cover letter

Cover Letter Examples

Cover Letter Samples

Create and edit your cover letter

Use our user-friendly tool to create the perfect cover letter.

Featured articles

• How to Write a Motivation Letter With Examples
• How to Write a Resume in 2024 That Gets Results
• Teamwork Skills on Your Resume: List and Examples
• What Are the Best Colors for Your Resume?

Latests articles

• Top 5 Tricks to Transform Your LinkedIn Profile With ChatGPT
• Using ChatGPT to Prepare for Interviews: Top Tips and Steps
• How to Create an Effective Cover Letter with ChatGPT
• 10 Jobs in High Demand in 2024: Salaries and Expected Growth

Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

UAV/Drone Pilot Resume Examples

Take your UAV/Drone Pilot resume to new heights with expert tips and tricks

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Resume Samples

1. Candidate seeking a Drone Pilot role

[Jonathan S. Rogers]

[Drone Pilot]

[123 Drone Street, Anytown, USA | +1 123 456 7890 | [email protected]]

Personal Statement

Accomplished and detail-oriented UAV pilot with over five years of professional experience in surveillance and operation of both small and large-scale drones. Demonstrated proficiency in crafting precise flight plans, performing meticulous preflight checks, and ensuring seamless operations even in the harshest weather conditions. Exceptionally skilled at coordinating with air traffic controllers and managing UAV flight time.

UAV Drone Pilot | Mega Tech Solutions, Anytown, USA | July 2018 – Present

• Designed and executed over 500+ flight plans, meticulously considering airspace constraints, weather conditions, and the mission’s specific requirements.
• Successfully completed 1000+ hours of UAV flight time, ensuring safe and effective operations at varying altitudes and in diverse weather conditions.
• Maintained a 99.8% mission success rate, thanks to comprehensive preflight checks, monitoring craft health, and rigorous post-flight analysis.
• Conducted persistent surveillance missions for high-value projects, contributing to data acquisition and achieving company goals.

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering | Aerospace University, Anytown, USA | 2014 – 2018

• Graduated with 3.85 GPA
• Expert in UAV operation and control
• Proficient in flight plan design and execution
• Solid understanding of weather patterns and their impact on flight
• Preflight and post-flight analysis

Certifications

• FAA Part 107 UAV Pilot Certification, 2018
• UAV Systems Course, Drone Pilot Academy, 2017
• English: Native proficiency
• Spanish: Professional working proficiency

2. Candidate seeking an entry-level Drone Pilot role

Newly qualified and trained Drone Pilot with a love of photography and a strong desire to transition into a professional career flying unmanned aircraft.

Captured and optimized imagery of natural environments for use in student films Interpreted telemetry data sent from drones and UAVs inflight Used GPS tools to access the safety of flight zones for autonomous aircraft being piloted with respect to FAA laws Programmed and prepared pre-launch flight plans for craft to follow whilst in-flight

UAV/Drone Pilot Resume Vocabulary & Writing Tips

As with any career  the vocabulary you use on your resume matters.  However, this can be even more important for an aviation focused role such as this. Recruiters will be looking carefully over your document to see how well you can demonstrate an understanding of the day-to-day work and your use of keywords will be crucial to proving that.

Additionally, not using enough key phrases could  hurt your chances of getting past ATS filters online . HR staff normally calibrate these to toss out any resumes that don’t use a high enough volume of industry-focused expressions.

Words to Use

• Flight plan
• Surveillance
• Weather conditions
• Air traffic
• Flight time
• Controlling agency
• Post-flight

Action Verbs

Uav/drone pilot resume tips and ideas.

There’s quite simply a lot of information that needs to be included on a UAV/drone pilot resume.

There’s no doubt that this is a growing profession. Drone pilots are becoming increasingly popular hires for Hollywood studios, marketing agencies, broadcasters, and land surveyors. It is also a hugely  important requirement needed by emergency first responders  such as the fire service, police, and infrastructure companies.

However, there are many elements could  make or break your chances of getting the job . That includes showing off detailed experience of professional or amateur work, up-to-date certificates and licenses, and the right skills to succeed. This is a lot to fit onto a short summary document like this.

To help you on your journey to getting hired, simply use the following guide to  prepare your resume for your ideal UAV/Drone Pilot job . It will take you through all the components you need to be considered such as the most appropriate format, a professional design, sections and the best information needed to stand out.

To save time, simply use these tips and tricks along with our expert  resume builder  and create a bio that will  boost your chances of getting interviews .

• Experienced candidates:  Reverse-chronological
• Entry-level candidates:  Combination
• Create a template that’s clean and organized
• Avoid overfilling the document with information and graphics
• Write in a consistent size 12, legible font
• Break up blocky paragraphs into bullet-points
• Contact information
• Resume summary/objective

Work experience

• Certifications and courses
• Achievements
• Hobbies and interests

Resume Length

1-2 x letter pages (8.5” x 11”)

When you start planning your resume, it’s important to pick a  resume format  that plays to your strengths. This can vary  depending on the level of experience  you have flying drones and/or UAVs.

If you’re already working as a drone pilot, it’s better to create a template that  focuses on your hands-on experience . The best option for this is a  reverse chronological template . This gives the recruiter the most information possible on your career history and is the format that is used by the majority of candidates.

However, if you’re  new to drone piloting,  or you’re looking to turn an amateur interest into a professional career, a  combination resume  could work better for you. This is because it places equal weighting on your skills rather than only your work history and may be able to work better at convincing the hiring manager to give you a shot.

Designing your resume is  an exercise in restraint . The key focus of the visuals on your document is to be organized and readable, rather than relying on any artistic flair.

To start, plan  a clean and tidy template  that balances information with white space. This will help recruiters quickly find the information they’re looking for.

In order to ease this along, avoid the use of cluttering elements like graphics, illustrations or elaborate fonts. These will only make the page harder to read and could even cause your resume to perform badly with ever more prevalent  Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) filters .

You will also need to make sure your text is optimized. That means making sure it’s a legible size (around 12) and that it  can be easily comprehended . In this sense, it’s better to use a reliable font like Times New Roman or Calibri throughout.

Finally, to make your text even quicker to read you can also  break longer paragraphs up into smart, concise bullet-points . This will save the recruiter crucial second in picking through your career history.

If you’re applying for a drone pilot position in  the US, UK or Canada  you won’t need a photo on your resume. Yet, as this is a truly international career it’s wise to keep in mind that  Spanish ,  French  and  Portuguese  speaking countries do expect a professional picture on employee applications as a requirement.

Sections of a UAV/Drone Pilot Resume

Organizing your resume well is one of the keys to its success. To do this you’ll need to  choose the right section headers . At the very least, hiring managers will want to see the following examples of these:

That’s not where you should stop though. To really make your mark, you’ll need to provide a lot more information that  demonstrates your individual prowess  flying drones. You can do this with one or more of the following optional sections:

It’s important to keep an eye on the size of your resume. In most cases, lengthy documents will perform worse. This is because recruiters can receive hundreds of applications per position, leaving them  as little as 6-10 seconds to check through each profile .

To avoid falling foul of this, it’s best to keep the length of your resume down to just  1-2 letter pages.  Any longer than this and you’re more likely to lose out in more competitive job openings.

UAV/Drone Pilot Resume Section Headings

This is very much a role that  a hobbyist can turn into a full time career  if they make the right choices. Therefore your  work experience section  needs to do a lot of heavy lifting.

List only recent and relevant experience you have in this part of the resume. If you’ve worked jobs in other sectors, only include  examples that can demonstrate transferable abilities . For each current or previous role you list, include the following details:

• The name of the company hiring you and its location
• Your job title or role within the organization
• The dates you were employed
• Any significant roles or responsibilities you held

When listing the tasks you did, focus on specifics. Hiring managers will especially want to see examples of  piloting drones or UAVs for different functions , safety considerations and regulations you followed as well as the types of drones being piloted.

A good  skills section  is especially important for a career-path such as this, especially if you’re just starting out. Recruiters will want to see  a broad range of abilities  on your resume and will be especially interested in seeing one or more of the following:

Hard skills:

• Pilot training
• FAA regulations
• Photography
• Piloting software
• Troubleshooting
• Drone maintenance
• Mathematics
• Weather patterns

Soft skills:

• Good eyesight
• Communication
• Fast reactions
• Attention-to-detail
• Problem-solving
• Decision making

In most situations, pilots should  demonstrate a relevant Bachelor’s degree  in their  education section . However, it is perfectly possible to get hired with just a High School Diploma and sufficient training and experience flying UAVs.

This is especially the case if you’ve been  trained in the military . In this situation, focus instead on detailing your training courses either here in the education section or in a separate  certifications and courses section .

Certificates & courses

In order to be considered for jobs in Drone piloting, you’ll need to  demonstrate you’ve passed the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test . You can also acquire a Certified Drone Pilot qualification from the FAA depending on the type of craft you’re flying.

However, this being a new profession, the  industry standards are constantly changing;  for example, the current regulations have only been in place since 2016. Therefore make sure your qualifications are as up to date as possible.

Struggling with Resume Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

Related Professions

Pilot Impress future employers and land your dream job with pilot resume templates, keyword suggestions and design guidelines for professional pilot resumes. Reviewed Updated on January 2, 2024 Pilot

Military  Are you seeking to advance your military career? Put your resume through our resume boot camp, complete with expert advice and resume samples. Reviewed Updated on December 28, 2023 Military 

Airline Manager An airline manager resume should show your skills in management within the aviation industry and should have a professional and appealing design. Updated on December 28, 2023 Airline Manager

• Cover Letters
• Jobs I've Applied To
• Saved Searches
• Subscriptions

Marine Corps

Coast guard.

• Space Force
• Military Podcasts
• Benefits Home
• Military Pay and Money
• Veteran Health Care
• VA eBenefits
• Veteran Job Search
• Military Skills Translator
• Upload Your Resume
• Veteran Employment Project
• Vet Friendly Employers
• Career Advice
• Military Life Home
• Military Trivia Game
• Veterans Day
• Spouse & Family
• Military History
• Discounts Home
• Featured Discounts
• Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
• Electronics
• Join the Military Home
• Contact a Recruiter
• Military Fitness

Ukraine Pulls US-Provided Abrams Tanks from the Front Lines over Russian Drone Threats

WASHINGTON — Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.

The U.S. agreed to send 31 Abrams to Ukraine in January 2023 after an aggressive monthslong campaign by Kyiv arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10 million apiece, were vital to its ability to breach Russian lines.

But the battlefield has changed substantially since then, notably by the ubiquitous use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones . Those weapons have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds.

Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks.

The proliferation of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield means “there isn’t open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection,” a senior defense official told reporters Thursday.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide an update on U.S. weapons support for Ukraine before Friday's Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.

For now, the tanks have been moved from the front lines, and the U.S. will work with the Ukrainians to reset tactics, said Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady and a third defense official who confirmed the move on the condition of anonymity.

“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk," Grady told the AP in an interview this week, adding that tanks are still important.

“Now, there is a way to do it," he said. "We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately.”

News of the sidelined tanks comes as the U.S. marks the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that meets monthly to assess Ukraine's battlefield needs and identify where to find needed ammunition, weapons or maintenance to keep Ukraine's troops equipped.

Recent aid packages, including the $1 billion military assistance package signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday, also reflect a wider reset for Ukrainian forces in the evolving fight .

The U.S. is expected to announce Friday that it also will provide about $6 billion in long-term military aid to Ukraine, U.S. officials said, adding that it will include much sought after munitions for Patriot air defense systems. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

The $1 billion package emphasized counter-drone capabilities, including .50-caliber rounds specifically modified to counter drone systems; additional air defenses and ammunition; and a host of alternative, and cheaper, vehicles, including Humvees, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.

The U.S. also confirmed for the first time that it is providing long-range ballistic missiles known as ATACMs, which allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-occupied areas without having to advance and be further exposed to either drone detection or fortified Russian defenses.

While drones are a significant threat, the Ukrainians also have not adopted tactics that could have made the tanks more effective, one of the U.S. defense officials said.

After announcing it would provide Ukraine the Abrams tanks in January 2023, the U.S. began training Ukrainians at Grafenwoehr Army base in Germany that spring on how to maintain and operate them. They also taught the Ukrainians how to use them in combined arms warfare — where the tanks operate as part of a system of advancing armored forces, coordinating movements with overhead offensive fires, infantry troops and air assets.

As the spring progressed and Ukraine's highly anticipated counteroffensive stalled, shifting from tank training in Germany to getting Abrams on the battlefield was seen as an imperative to breach fortified Russian lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his Telegram channel in September that the Abrams had arrived in Ukraine.

Since then, however, Ukraine has only employed them in a limited fashion and has not made combined arms warfare part of its operations, the defense official said.

During its recent withdrawal from Avdiivka , a city in eastern Ukraine that was the focus of intense fighting for months, several tanks were lost to Russian attacks, the official said.

A long delay by Congress in passing new funding for Ukraine meant its forces had to ration ammunition , and in some cases they were only able to shoot back once for every five or more times they were targeted by Russian forces.

In Avdiivka, Ukrainian forces were badly outgunned and fighting back against Russian glide bombs and hunter-killer drones with whatever ammunition they had left.

You May Also Like

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington is finally underway to its new homeport in Japan, following six arduous years in a...

Earlier this month, Ukraine lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25 in an effort to bolster the size of its military.

A senior military official said that "at-sea assembly" of parts of the pier began earlier that day, with military planners...

Cpl. Miguel A. Maya was a member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, or HMLAT, 303. The incident is still under...

Military News

• Investigations and Features
• Military Opinion

Select Service

• National Guard

Most Popular Military News

A pair of laser weapons has been deployed by the Army to an undisclosed location overseas to blast incoming enemy drones out...

Lt. Col. Eric Ackles, commander of 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, was relieved of command, the service...

Rolled out with great fanfare in November 2022, toxic exposure screenings for all VA patients were mandated by the PACT Act...

Nearly four years after a civilian skydiving aircraft collided with a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey sitting on a San Diego runway...

A prominent Democratic senator is demanding the Department of Veterans Affairs review the quality of its privatized...

Latest Benefits Info

• 4 Tips for Flying Space-A
• The Mental Burden of Using Military Benefits
• Fertility Benefits for Active-Duty Service Members
• Military Child Care Fees
• Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Overview

More Military Headlines

The trial, which will include 17 of the more than 7,500 plaintiffs across three lawsuits, will explore whether the U.S...

• Army Reservist Who Warned About Maine Killer Before Shootings to Testify Before Investigators
• The Army Has Officially Deployed Laser Weapons Overseas to Combat Enemy Drones
• Fired After 6 Months: Army Sacks Commander of Germany Unit Meant to Bolster NATO Against Russia
• Air Force Starts Taking Applications for Newly Reintroduced Warrant Officer Jobs
• 'I Will Tell No War Stories': A Writer Uncovers His Father's Hidden World War II History
• Nomination of Air Force Officer at Center of GOP's Fight Against 'Woke' Military Extended to 2025
• USS George Washington Heads to Japan, Ending Troubled Shipyard Stay That Included String of Suicides
• Trial to Begin for Military Families Suing over Hawaii Water Contamination
• Navy Investigating More Than 100 'Secretly Shot' Sexual Videos of US Troops Uploaded to Adult Website

Military Benefits Updates

• Corps Identifies Camp Pendleton Marine Killed During 'Routine' Operations
• Biden’s New Chopper Is Demoted After Scorching White House Lawn
• Marine Killed During Operation at Camp Pendleton, Marking Second Training Death for Service in a Week
• Chaplain of the Coast Guard Fired for 'Loss of Confidence' After Not Acting on Case of Sexual Misconduct
• New Coast Guard Unit Commissioned at Fort Drum
• Several Dozen Ships Lost Propulsion in Maryland Waters Before Key Bridge Collapse: 'You're Basically Just Drifting'

Entertainment

• World War II Veteran and Director John Ford Is the Next Subject of TCM's 'Plot Thickens' Podcast
• 9 Lyrics from Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' That Perfectly Describe Life as a Military Spouse

17 states challenge federal rules entitling…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

e-Pilot Evening Edition

• Things to do

17 states challenge federal rules entitling workers to accommodations for abortion

National News | An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York

Things To Do | Outer Banks Historic Flat Top Cottage Tour returns

National Politics | South Dakota governor, a potential Trump running mate, writes in new book about killing her dog

City Politics | Ousted Portsmouth assessor sues for wrongful termination, alleges firing over golf course taxes

Trending nationally.

• A woman had a hysterectomy. She claims her co-workers harassed her about a ‘sex change’
• 20 least-affordable US cities to buy a home are all in California
• High school athletic director used AI to fake racist recording of principal, police say
• Disneyland adds another potential themed land to the mix: Encanto
• Barbra Streisand drops first new song in 6 years in response to rise in antisemitism

Ukraine’s elite Azov brigade managed to steal a special Russian tank. This is why

With help on the way from the US at last, such daredevil operations should be less necessary

One day apparently in early April, a Russian T-72 tank rolled into battle near Terny, in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The tank ran over some barbed wire, which fouled its tracks. Out of control, the tank collided with a BMP fighting vehicle.

A Ukrainian first-person-view (FPV) drone zoomed in. Its one-pound warhead didn’t cause much damage, but it did spook the tank’s three-person crew. The Russians bailed out – and promptly got killed by more drones.

Soon, the Ukrainian army’s elite 12th Azov Brigade was organizing a complex raid across the no-man’s-land outside Terny. The goal: to fetch the abandoned T-72.

That tank – one of more than 2,600 Russia has lost in its 26-month wider war on Ukraine – was special. Strapped to its turret was an awkward cluster of antennae and radio transmitters. It was an electronic-warfare system; one the Russians hoped would block the radio signals connecting the Ukrainians’ FPV drones to their operators sitting in a trench, bunker or building miles away.

This jammer obviously didn’t work, but the Ukrainians wanted to know why. After all, FPV drones are among the most important systems in the Ukrainian arsenal. Which makes FPV drone jammers among the most important systems in the Russian arsenal.

Where Russian attacks fail, it’s sometimes because they got overwhelmed by wave after wave of drones. Where Russian attacks succeed , it’s sometimes because they either caught a Ukrainian unit between shipments of drones – or jammed whatever drones the unit did have.

There’s a drone arms race playing out along the 600-mile front line of the war in Ukraine . The Russians try out different combinations of radio transmitters and antennae in an effort to jam the Ukrainians’ drones, while the Ukrainians try out different combinations of radio transmitters and antennae in an effort to stay one frequency ahead of the jamming.

Knowing what the Russians are working with is critical to the Ukrainians’ adaptation as their workshops churn out as many as 100,000 FPV drones a month, each at a cost of a few hundred dollars.

So when the 12th Azov Brigade team went into the no-man’s-land outside Terny, three dangerous nights in a row, they did so with a purpose.

The Ukrainians had to untangle the tank, replace its batteries, clear any mines lying in its path then drive it, at night across bomb-cratered terrain, while the Russians fired away with artillery. There were close calls, but the Ukrainians managed to drive the tank back to the relative safety of their own lines – and inspect the jammers. 

They found the new assemblage of transmitters and antennae to be “makeshift,” according to one Azov trooper. That’s consistent with several other Ukrainian inspections of captured Russian jammers – and also consistent with the Russians’ assessment of their own counterdrone equipment. 

Russian troops “do not have any massive protection against enemy drones,” one Russian blogger complained. “Everything they install has long been outdated and does not cover the enemy’s new frequencies.”

Components are often badly-made and badly-assembled in Russian jammers. “It doesn’t work at all,” one Russian blogger complained about one new jammer.

The real proof of Russia’s jamming failures is on the battlefield. “Despite claims of Russian EW [electronic-warfare] efficiency, anecdotal evidence from Ukrainian … drone pilots suggests that much of the provided EW machinery lacks adequate protection for Russian ground units,” Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight concluded.

That’s good news for the Ukrainians, considering the central role FPV drones play in Ukrainian defense plans. But the good news belies the worse news. There’s another way, besides jammers, to defeat FPVs – one the Ukrainians can’t easily overcome with technological adaptation. In a word, it’s armour.

It’s now standard practice throughout the Russian military for crews to install drone-defeating armor – steel slats or cages – on their armored vehicles. A typical FPV carries just a pound of explosives. Trigger the explosives a few inches from a vehicle’s hull, and the resulting blast might not cause much damage.

The FPVs work best as cleanup. In one recent battle outside Tonenke , in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian anti-tank missiles and artillery – both of which might have warheads weighing 25 pounds – caused most of the destruction. The tiny drones with their one-pound warheads “just finished the job,” further damaging immobilized and abandoned Russian vehicles, according to a Ukrainian drone-operator with the callsign “Kriegsforcher.”

The Ukrainians have come to rely on FPVs not because FPVs are super-weapons, but because of shortages of heavier munitions – mostly resulting from a group of Republican extremists in the US Congress delaying, for six months, a key vote on US aid. Yes, the drones are much better than nothing, but they’re actually a firepower downgrade compared to traditional anti-tank missiles and artillery.

And that helps to explain why, since January, Russian troops have been advancing in Ukraine. At great cost, of course, and neither very far nor very fast. But advancing, nonetheless. With persistence, courage and a little extra armor, Russian regiments sometimes drive right through waves of Ukrainian drones. Even when the Russians’ jammers aren’t working.

The lasting solution to the Ukrainians’ firepower problem isn’t to adapt their drones to counter Russian jamming, but to render that adaptation less urgent – by re-arming with much heavier weaponry. 

The problem, of course, is that only Ukraine’s allies – in particular, the United States – can supply that weaponry in the necessary quantities. Fortunately for Ukraine, the US Congress has now, at last, voted for a new aid package .

Help is on the way.

• Russia-Ukraine war,
• Drones (aircraft),
• Explained Ukraine war
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon