Home / Initiatives / Making the Military to Civilian Transition Making the Military to Civilian Transition Are you a helicopter pilot or maintainer planning to transition from military service? Civilian companies need your skills now more than ever! Why Now? The civilian helicopter industry is experiencing a significant shortage of skilled professionals. In the next 15 years, the industry will need more than 7,500 helicopter pilots and more than 40,000 aviation maintenance technicians. This is your opportunity to step into a high-demand field. Creating an Aviation Resume Logging Civil Flight Time How to Transition Smoothly 1. Craft a Civilian-Friendly Aviation Resume Your military experience is invaluable, but does your resume translate well in civilian terms? Avoid military jargon and acronyms. Visit our Aviation Resume page for tips and templates tailored for pilots and maintenance technicians. 2. Maintenance Technicians: Get Your FAA A&P License To work in civilian aviation maintenance, you need an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. Here’s how: Check Eligibility: The FAA assesses your eligibility based on your military occupational specialty (MOS). Log Training: Document your training time and complete the required job tasks. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility: Get this from your branch’s FAA-approved signature authority. Get Authorized: Submit FAA Form 8610-2 signed by your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). 3. Pilots: Secure Your FAA Certificates and Maintain a Logbook Before leaving the military: Document Ratings and Flight Hours: Ensure hiring managers can accurately assess your experience. Get FAA Certificates: Test for all relevant certificates at an FAA-approved testing center. Don’t delay—secure your certifications before your transition. Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) Commercial Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) NVG Endorsement FAA Medical Certificate Keep Your Logbook Current: Transfer your military flight hours to a civilian logbook and continue updating it regularly. Visit our Logging Civil Flight Time page for guidance on how to correctly log your flight hours according to FAA rules. Take the Next Step Start your transition today with the right resources and support. Your skills are in high demand—let’s get you ready for a successful civilian career in the helicopter industry. Get mentoring & advice
