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11BX Career Guide

Air Force

11BX: Bomber Pilot

Career transition guide for Air Force Bomber Pilot (11BX)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 11BX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer

$170K
High matchVery high demand

Commercial Pilot

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Commercial Pilot CertificateInstrument Rating

Aerospace Engineer

$125K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace EngineeringFE/EIT Certification

Airfield Operations Specialist

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certificationKnowledge of airport safety regulations

Project Manager

$90K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 11BX 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, threats, and friendly forces.

The ability to process and synthesize large amounts of information from multiple sources to understand the current environment and anticipate potential changes.

Rapid Prioritization

During flight, bomber pilots face rapidly changing conditions and unexpected events, requiring them to quickly assess the situation and prioritize actions to maintain safety and mission effectiveness.

The capacity to quickly assess competing demands, identify the most critical tasks, and allocate resources accordingly, especially under pressure.

Team Synchronization

Bomber Pilots lead and coordinate the actions of a crew, ensuring everyone works together seamlessly to achieve mission objectives. This requires clear communication, delegation, and mutual support.

The ability to coordinate and integrate the efforts of a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working effectively together.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Bomber Pilots are trained to handle emergencies and equipment malfunctions, maintaining control of the aircraft and safely completing the mission even when systems are not functioning as intended.

The ability to maintain performance and achieve objectives even when systems or resources are compromised or unavailable.

After-Action Analysis

Following each mission, bomber pilots participate in debriefings to analyze what went well, what could be improved, and lessons learned. This helps refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for future operations.

The ability to systematically review past events, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance future performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to remain calm under pressure and make rapid, well-reasoned decisions in dynamic environments. Your experience in planning, coordinating, and executing complex operations translates directly to managing emergency response efforts.

Air Traffic Controller

SOC 53-2021.00

You've honed your situational awareness and communication skills as a pilot and crew commander. You're adept at monitoring multiple streams of information and providing clear, concise instructions to ensure safety and efficiency in a high-pressure environment.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've mastered the art of planning, coordinating, and executing complex operations as a bomber pilot. Your experience in resource management, risk assessment, and problem-solving make you well-suited to oversee the efficient flow of goods, services, and information in a logistics setting.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), various Air Force Bases; B-2/B-52/B-1 Qualification Training, specific bomber bases

600 training hours52 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended in aviation technology and management

Topics Covered

  • Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems
  • Flight Planning and Navigation
  • Emergency Procedures and Egress
  • Air Refueling Techniques
  • Weapons Delivery and Employment
  • Crew Resource Management
  • Mission Planning and Execution
  • Low-Level Flight Operations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)70% covered

FAA regulations, specific aircraft type training, and civilian flight procedures.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)40% covered

Requires meeting specific flight hour requirements, passing the ATP written and practical exams, and completing an ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP).

Project Management Professional (PMP)30% covered

Formal project management training, understanding of PMBOK guide, and passing the PMP exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)Airport Operations Professional (A.O.P.)Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/APQ-172 RadarWeather and Terrain Mapping Radar Systems
Link-16 DatalinkMilitary-grade encrypted data communication networks
Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)Flight planning software (e.g., ForeFlight, Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro)
AN/ARC-210 RadioCommercial aviation VHF/UHF communication radios
Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (GAST)Satellite Communication Systems
B-2 Spirit Stealth BomberComparable civilian examples do not exist
AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)Long-range cruise missiles (no direct civilian equivalent)

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