11B2 Career Guide
11B2: Pilot
Career transition guide for Air Force Pilot (11B2)
Translate Your 11B2 Experience Now
Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.
Start Free TranslationCivilian Career Pathways
Top civilian roles for 11B2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Airline Pilot
Corporate Pilot
Flight Instructor
Airfield Operations Manager
Skills to develop:
Logistics Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 11B2 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Bomber pilots must constantly maintain awareness of their aircraft's position, altitude, speed, fuel status, weather conditions, and the location of other aircraft, terrain, and potential threats. This includes processing information from multiple sensors and sources to build a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment.
The ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to maintain a clear understanding of a complex and dynamic environment. This involves anticipating potential problems and adapting quickly to changing circumstances.
Rapid Prioritization
During flight, bomber pilots face a constant stream of information and potential problems, demanding quick decisions about what requires immediate attention. This could include responding to mechanical failures, changing weather conditions, or unexpected threats, all while maintaining mission objectives.
The capacity to quickly assess the urgency and importance of competing demands and allocate resources accordingly. This involves making decisive choices under pressure and adapting plans as needed to achieve critical goals.
Team Synchronization
Bomber pilots don't work alone; they lead a crew. Successful missions demand precise coordination and communication among all crew members, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. This involves clear communication, shared understanding of the mission goals, and the ability to anticipate and support each other's actions.
The ability to coordinate the actions of a team to achieve a common goal. This requires clear communication, mutual understanding, and the capacity to anticipate the needs and actions of others.
Degraded-Mode Operations
Bomber pilots are trained to handle equipment malfunctions and system failures in flight. They need to diagnose problems quickly, implement backup procedures, and adapt their flight plan to safely complete the mission or return to base. This often involves improvising solutions and making critical decisions under stress.
The capacity to maintain performance and achieve objectives even when systems or resources are compromised. This requires adaptability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Theme Park Ride Design Engineer
SOC 17-2141.00You've been trained to understand complex systems, prioritize safety, and manage dynamic situations, making you well-prepared to ensure theme park rides are both thrilling and safe. You can handle the design and testing phases, applying your understanding of risk assessment and operational procedures.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been entrusted with the lives of your crew and expensive aircraft, demanding the ability to anticipate threats and formulate effective responses, making you well-prepared to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, coordinate disaster response efforts, and ensure community resilience.
Logistics/Supply Chain Consultant
SOC 13-1141.00You've been responsible for mission planning, resource allocation, and ensuring operational readiness, making you well-equipped to optimize supply chain processes, identify inefficiencies, and improve the flow of goods and services.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), various Air Force Bases
Topics Covered
- •Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems
- •Flight Planning and Navigation
- •Emergency Procedures and Survival Training
- •Crew Resource Management (CRM)
- •Instrument Flight Procedures
- •Formation Flying
- •Low-Level Flight Operations
- •Air Refueling Procedures
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Differences in civilian aviation regulations, specific aircraft type ratings, and potentially some meteorology and navigation topics.
FAA ATP written exam, specific flight hour requirements as a pilot, and completion of an ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP).
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/APG-77 Radar (F-22) | Advanced Weather Radar Systems |
| Link 16 | Military-grade encrypted communication networks |
| Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) | Flight planning software (e.g., Jeppesen Flight Planning) |
| AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening Targeting Pod | High-resolution surveillance cameras |
| IFF Interrogator | Air Traffic Control Transponder Interrogator |
| Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) | Commercial weather satellite data providers (e.g., AccuWeather, The Weather Company) |
Ready to Translate Your Experience?
Our AI-powered translator converts your 11B2 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.
Translate My Resume — Free