A cover letter does not guarantee you a job, but it plays a crucial role in getting you a call from your potential employer. The letter acts as a catalyst that helps you boost your career by helping you in the hiring process. Since your airline pilot cover letter is your first formal interaction with your potential employer, you must follow certain guidelines to be followed when writing. The airline pilot cover letter samples, along with templates and some important tips given here, will help you in the same.
How to Write an Airline Pilot Cover Letter
Cover letters should be sent together with your resume. This is a great opportunity for you to make a great first impression with the recruiter. Therefore, you must draft and send a professionally written cover letter. In most cases, recruiters will not spend more than 15-30 seconds to review it. So, you should ensure that you make your letter stand out in the best possible way.
Here is how to write your cover letter:
Your cover letter’s header should be the same as the one in your Curriculum Vitae.
Company’s address
Write down the address of the company that you are applying to. You can search for the address on the company’s website and find out where their headquarters are located.
Date
Write the date of writing the letter and leave a line or two before proceeding to write direct the letter to the recipient.
Salutation
Find out who the pilot is and direct start the letter by saluting them appropriately. If you don’t know the person to address the letter to, you can contact the company and ask them. This will make a great first impression on the hiring manager. If, in any case, you do not succeed in getting their name, then you can write the generic “to whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.”
Sentences
Inform the hiring manager why you are the best candidate for the position. Let them know how your skills and expertise will meet their expectations. If you are not certain about what to write, you can draw some inspiration from the samples and templates provided below.
The ending
Conclude your letter as you would any formal letter. Don’t forget to notarize your cover letter at the bottom of the page.
Airline Pilot Cover Letter Samples
Following are some samples for your better understanding:
SAMPLE 1
Dear Hiring Committee,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Pilot position at Skyward Airlines, as advertised on your website. With over 5 years of experience flying commercial airliners, including the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, I have developed a strong foundation in aviation safety, efficient operation, and excellent customer service. My passion for flying began at a young age and has only grown stronger over the years, leading me to pursue and successfully attain my commercial pilot’s license and instrument rating.
My previous role at Horizon Flights allowed me to hone my skills in cross-country and international flights, navigating diverse weather conditions and managing critical flight operations. My commitment to safety is unwavering, as evidenced by my accident-free record and consistent adherence to FAA regulations and company protocols. I have also taken the initiative to attend advanced training in crew resource management and emergency response, ensuring I am well-prepared for any situation that may arise.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise and dedication to Skyward Airlines. I am confident that my background in aviation and my commitment to excellence will make me a valuable addition to your team. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the continued success and growth of your airline and am eager to discuss how my experience and skills align with the needs of your fleet.
Sincerely,
Johnathan Swift
SAMPLE 2
Dear Recruitment Team,
I am enthusiastic about applying for the Pilot position at Aerolite Airways as recently listed on your career portal. My extensive experience of 7 years flying a variety of aircraft, including regional jets like the Embraer E190 and larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, has equipped me with a robust understanding of aviation operations and passenger safety. My journey in aviation started with my fascination for aircraft mechanics, which propelled me to pursue a career in flying. This journey has been marked by my relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous learning, culminating in my acquisition of an ATP certificate and a type rating in multiple aircraft.
In my previous role at Global Jetways, I was responsible for overseeing flight preparations, navigating challenging routes, and ensuring a comfortable experience for passengers. My dedication to safety and efficiency is reflected in my meticulous attention to pre-flight checks, adherence to all safety regulations, and effective communication with the flight crew. Additionally, my proactive approach to maintaining currency in the latest aviation technologies and procedures ensures that I am always at the forefront of industry standards.
Joining Aerolite Airways would be a significant step in my career. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of being part of a renowned team known for its commitment to safety, innovation, and customer service. I am eager to bring my depth of experience, attention to detail, and passion for aviation to your esteemed company and contribute to its illustrious reputation.
Warm regards,
Emily Carter
Analysis
The two sample letters serve as effective guides for crafting a professional application for a pilot position, demonstrating key principles of effective communication and content organization. Each letter begins with a formal and respectful greeting, immediately establishing a professional tone. The writers clearly state their intent in the opening lines, leaving no doubt about the purpose of their application. This direct approach is crucial to capturing the reader’s attention.
Significant aspects highlighted in the letters include:
- Relevance of Experience: The writers detail their flying experience, mentioning specific aircraft types and the duration of their experience, which directly aligns with the requirements of a pilot position.
- Emphasis on Safety and Skills: The writers in both letters stress the importance of safety, adherence to regulations, and continuous skills development, which are crucial in the aviation industry.
- Personal Touch and Career Passion: The writers express their passion for aviation and their career journey, adding a personal touch that makes the application more relatable and engaging.
Furthermore, the letters conclude with a strong closing statement, expressing eagerness to contribute to the prospective employer’s success and an invitation for further discussion. This approach not only reinforces the applicant’s interest but also encourages a response from the employer. By following the structure and content style of these letters, aspiring pilots can create compelling applications that highlight their qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Tips for Writing an Airline Cover Letter
Below are some great tips to help you write your cover letter like a pro:
- Use a professionally designed template and ensure that the font is easy to read.
- Include your name, your official address, and your contact details at the top of your airline pilot cover letter to make it easy for the employer/hiring manager to find them when they want to contact you for a job.
- Proofread the letter before sending it. If your letter is littered with grammatical mistakes, you will be reducing your chance of being selected for the job. Best to have someone else read the letter before sending it to ensure that it is free of any errors.
- Be specific with your achievements. Explain to them how great of a candidate you are but don’t give them too much information so that they can set up a meeting with you to find out more.
- End the letter with a succinct call to action for the hiring manager or the potential employer to get in touch with you. Remind them once more that you are the right candidate for the job.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Airline Cover Letter
Here are a few things that you should avoid when writing your cover letter:
- Don’t put too much focus on yourself: the company that you are looking to work for is hiring since they need someone to fill a position that they have, ultimately the most important thing that they will focus on is what you are bringing to the table. You should, therefore, focus on telling them how you are suited for the position by highlighting how best your qualifications, skills, and experiences for that specific position that you are applying for.
- Sharing too much about your previous positions: In as much as you are trying to sell yourself, sharing all the details about your previous roles will make for a very cluttered and headache-inducing letter. Only focus on what is related to the position that you are applying for.
- Do not repeat all the information included in your resume: your cover letter should not be a repetition of everything that is contained in your CV. If the hiring manager/potential employer is reading your cover letter, it means that they have gone through your resume or are yet to. Don’t make it too boring.
Conclusion
You may possess all the required skills and knowledge that are necessary for a given job but still wonder why you are not getting any response from the hiring manager or your potential employer. This may be due to the absence of a well-formatted cover letter accompanying your resume. When a job opening has been advertised, it is obvious that you will not be the only person applying for the position; the hiring manager might be getting hundreds of applications daily. Screening all these applicants is usually a tiring process and is time-consuming. In that situation, the hiring manager will look for applications with cover letters that are easier for them to read and pick the best candidate for the job. Therefore, you must ensure you draft a great airline pilot cover letter that will help you stand out from thousands of applicants.
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