The airline application process can seem endless. You’ll quickly feel like you need to hire a personal assistant to handle the process due to the overwhelming amount of paperwork involved, which includes the application itself, your resume, cover letter, a list of every place you’ve lived for the past ten years, every job you’ve held, copies of every form of identification in existence, and your logbooks. You’ll need to obtain three to five letters of recommendation at some point. You’ll be asking people to craft a thoughtful letter endorsing your qualities as a pilot and a person to send to your prospective employer. This article will answer your questions regarding who to ask to handle this task, what information to include in the letter, and a formula for obtaining recommendations that will aid in your hiring.
Let’s face it, you already have a strong background as a military pilot. The airlines are aware of your work history and level of training because you come from one of the most record-intensive workplaces in the world. You have undoubtedly excelled in your career thus far; the airlines will respect you for your accomplishments simply for completing UPT and joining an operational unit.
Although your work history and resume are impressive, there is much about you that they do not reveal. There is much more to being an airline pilot than just flying the aircraft. Your ability to get along with people from a variety of backgrounds is crucial in a multi-crew cockpit. You will interact with ramp staff, gate agents, and passengers from every imaginable ethnicity and educational background. When you work as an airline pilot, you will frequently be in close quarters with strangers who you may not particularly get along with. Airlines function because the individuals who propel the aircraft are dependable; they arrive on time and prepared to work.
This isn’t any different from what you have to do in the military if it sounds the same to you. The trouble is, the airline doesn’t know you—yet. That’s why you need a few good recommendation letters. It’s not really a question of whether you can fly an airplane in the interview. It is much more important to determine if the interviewers can picture themselves looking forward to spending four days with you in the cockpit. Having a few people attest to your character and professional abilities can help others see you for the wonderful person that you are.
Good recommendation letters can also help you get a job or internship, which is another crucial use for them. Your military experience alone makes your resume stand out. However, a strong recommendation (especially if it’s an internal recommendation) can help your application rise to the top of the pile if the airline receives more applications than they need to fill an interview schedule.
You won’t get a recommendation letter from just any old person on the street unless that person also happens to be the CEO of an airline. Ideally, you want to ask for recommendations from people who have flown with you as well as know you well. Better if they work for your target company, if they are
Start by making a list of likely candidates. Old acquaintances or superiors from the units you’ve served in make excellent choices, especially if they currently work for the airline you’re applying to. Search your memory for the names and faces of people you had positive experiences with because airlines will want to see some letters from people who have seen you fly.
Here’s a crucial point: it helps if you are familiar with the individuals you are asking for recommendations. You should be aware of their reputation, particularly if they work for the airline you want to use. You might have had a great time flying with Lt. Col. Snuffy, but you think of him as more or less a “piece of work.” “You might want to avoid asking someone to serve as a reference if they are likely to be the squeaky wheel at the airline you want to work for. You don’t want the airlines to assume that you are also a troublemaker because “birds of a feather flock together,” as the saying goes.
The Holy Grail is internal recommendations from people you have flown with, but getting a few non-flying references can also be beneficial. Perhaps you volunteer; ask someone you’ve worked with to write about your selfless generosity. Airlines adore community involvement, so perhaps you mentor students or coach a sports team. Even long-time friends can serve as excellent sources for recommendation letters. The airlines want to know that you are technically skilled and concerned with safety, but they also want to know that you are a decent person and good citizen. The goal here is to demonstrate that you have a fascinating and complex personality. Airlines don’t like to hire one trick ponies.
A good place to begin is by revisiting old experiences. The person to whom you want to send your letter may have rusty memories, so bringing up a joint deployment or a sticky situation will refresh those memories. It won’t do to request a letter and leave the timeframe vague; be sure to be clear about your objectives, intentions, and timeline. Make sure they have the time and energy to devote to the task by asking about their current circumstances.
Keep in mind that you are selling a product during the airline application and interview process: yourself. Tell someone you want to write your recommendation letter for you about recent events in your career and things you’d like to emphasize when you’re talking about it. Pay attention to their advice; it might reveal qualities about you that you hadn’t even considered. Give them a copy of your resume. Not only is this a helpful cheat sheet for the letter writer, but you might also be able to take advantage of some free editing assistance.
Formats for recommendation letters differ by airline. Some airlines value an internal referral made by a current employee who walks in. Others require references as part of the application process; these airlines will email your references requests for recommendations. Before listing a reference, be sure to get their permission. You should also double-check that you have their email address.
Your recommendation letters don’t have to be epic tomes or Greek tragedies, so it’s acceptable if the people writing them don’t have degrees in English literature. But you should make an effort to obtain letters from authors you know to be adept at communicating ideas in writing. After all, they will be vouching for you. Letters should be relatively short—three paragraphs are optimal.
Think about what the airlines are hiring you to do when deciding what you want people to highlight in a recommendation. They seek a pilot who is dependable, competent, concerned with safety, and committed to completing the current mission. Because passengers pay the airline’s bills, they want someone who gets along well with others, participates in the community, and has compassion for others. You should consider how these qualities might be expressed in your recommendation letter because you won’t have time to edit it, especially if the writer is responding to an airline’s request. Make sure the letter states how long the writer has known you, how they have worked or interacted with you, and in what capacity. The airlines want to be sure that this recommendation is genuine and not just a boilerplate letter from a stranger to you.
You might come across a circumstance where someone requests that you write the recommendation letter on their behalf. People who want to help but occasionally lack confidence in their own writing skills occur more frequently than you might think. You can write it yourself, but before submitting it, be sure to confirm with the person it is from. It is best to avoid using this person as a reference if they want to be completely hands-off and not read it at all.
Recommendation letters have the power to both open and close doors. When looking for potential writers to represent you, be methodical and thoughtful in your search. Consider internal airline recommendations, but don’t discount other sources as well. Make sure your references have a current resume and knowledge of your objectives and activities. Offer your recommendation to those who will come after you once you land a job. After going through the procedure, you’ll be specially qualified to assist other pilots in achieving their objectives.
How to write a pilot letter of recommendation
When composing a letter of recommendation for a pilot, keep the following points in mind:
1. Format your letter
To keep your letter brief and readable, use a standard 12-point font and black ink on a single sheet of letter paper. Put the letter’s date at the top of the page, and at the bottom, include your contact information. You can break up the body of your letter into three sections for an introduction, a backgrounder, and a conclusion.
2. Address your recipient
So that you can address the recipient of your letter specifically, ask the applicant for the hiring manager’s and company’s information. By doing this, you can show the candidates and yourself how much you care about them getting the job. Use a neutral salutation like “To whom it may concern” if you’re not sure who to address the letter to specifically. “.
3. Discuss your purpose
Declare your intent to recommend a candidate for a piloting position with their company before diving into the letter’s body of content. Explain briefly why you are endorsing the candidate and how you came to know them. Choose a couple of specific qualities to recommend them.
4. Detail their qualifications
Your letter’s second paragraph gives some background information on the candidate’s credentials. You can discuss how they carry out their duties on a personal or professional level. To provide context for their skills, think about any particular specializations they may have or the variety of work they’ve done.
5. Establish a relationship
You can close your letter with a clear call to action that creates a line of communication between you and the hiring manager. Give them your contact information so they can get in touch with you for more information. Creating a channel of communication fosters confidence and demonstrates your readiness to respond to further inquiries about the candidates qualifications.
6. Proofread your letter
Your recommendation letter serves as a testimonial to the qualities of the applicant, so it must be error-free. Edit your letter to remove any grammatical or spelling mistakes and to ensure the truth of your assertions. Take into account any factual statements you’ve made and revise them if necessary for clarity or to remove any potential inconsistencies.
What to include in a pilot letter of recommendation
You should mention the following in your pilot recommendation letter:
Contact information
In your recommendation letter, include your name, job title, company, email address, and phone number. Employers and hiring managers can verify your connection to the pilot candidate and assess the validity of your recommendation by using your contact information. Listing your position and employer can demonstrate to hiring managers that you hold a position that qualifies you to suggest a pilot.
Relation to the pilot
Some businesses might ask for either a professional or personal recommendation, but not both. Indicate your connection to the pilot, including whether you are acquainted with them on a personal or professional level. Hiring managers can properly evaluate your recommendation if they are aware of your interactions with the pilot candidate.
Reason for your recommendation
Describe the characteristics of the pilot that make you want to recommend them for the position. You can specify a talent, feat, or work ethic that sets a candidate apart from the other job candidates. Determine a particular quality that they exhibit exceptionally by taking into account their work processes, abilities, and knowledge.
Professional qualifications
The number of years a pilot has been flying, the types of aircraft they have operated, or their level of knowledge are all examples of professional qualifications. Professional recommendations may come from supervisors or coworkers. If you’ve worked with the applicant, emphasize your collaboration and your close attention to their operational procedures.
Personal characteristics
By defining a pilot’s personal qualities, hiring managers can assess a candidate’s compatibility and fit with their flight team. Personal recommendations may come from teachers or professionals in related fields. Pilots may interact with passengers or other clients more frequently depending on the position, so they may need good interpersonal skills.
Template for a pilot letter of recommendation
The sample below should help you write your letter of recommendation:
[Date]
Dear [Hiring manager],
I have the pleasure of recommending [pilot’s first and last name] for [company] as a pilot. Over the past [number] years, Ive [relation to the pilot]. Throughout that time, theyve demonstrated [qualities to recommend them].
[Pilot’s first name] is a pilot with [personal trait] and [professional credentials]. They conduct their work [work ethic description]. In addition, [ pilots first name] [additional positive qualities].
I think [pilot’s first name] would be a fantastic addition to the flight crew at [company]. Please feel free to contact me at the details listed below if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[Your first and last name]
[Job title]
[Company]
[Email address]
[Phone number]
Example of a pilot letter of recommendation
Heres an example letter of recommendation following the template:
July 16, 2020
Dear Wallace Phyllis,
It gives me pleasure to suggest Pia Wyers to you as a pilot for GIAir. I’ve been Pia’s copilot on several flights for our company over the past four years. They have consistently shown tenacity and creativity in averting and minimizing potential flight problems.
Pia is a committed pilot with in-depth knowledge of numerous flight instruments and configurations for various aircraft. They work calmly and carefully to anticipate and reduce disruptions for passengers on flights. Additionally, Pia has experience piloting a variety of aircraft for a variety of missions, including defense, rescue, and emergency situations.
Pia, in my opinion, would be a wonderful addition to GIAir’s flight crew. Please feel free to contact me at the details listed below if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Joey Marzano
Chief pilot
S.K. Air
[email protected]
(505) 511-1414
Pilot Letter of Recommendation Guide
FAQ
How do I write a letter of recommendation for an airline pilot?
An LOR should begin by stating its purpose and offering a fervent recommendation of the pilot applicant. For instance, “It is a great honor to offer my highest endorsement for John Q.” Public as your next XYZ Airlines first officer”.
How do I write a good letter of recommendation?
- Think carefully before saying yes. …
- Follow a business letter format. …
- Focus on the job description. …
- Explain how you know the person, and for how long.
- Focus on one or two traits. …
- Remain positive. …
- Share your contact information.
What qualities makes a good pilot?
- Attention to detail. There is very little margin for error when flying, and even small errors can have a big impact.
- Situational awareness. …
- Self-confidence. …
- Humility. …
- Clear communication skills. …
- Ability to remain calm under pressure. …
- Desire to learn.
