11U2 Career Guide
11U2: Pilot
Career transition guide for Air Force Pilot (11U2)
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Top civilian roles for 11U2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Commercial Pilot
Skills to develop:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot/Operator
Skills to develop:
Flight Instructor
Skills to develop:
Aerospace Engineer
Skills to develop:
Emergency Management Director
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 11U2 training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
As an 11U2, you constantly maintain a high level of situational awareness, integrating information from multiple sources (weather, intelligence, sensor data) to make real-time decisions that impact mission success and crew safety.
This translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and adapt strategies accordingly – a highly valued skill in dynamic civilian sectors.
Rapid Prioritization
During missions, you're faced with evolving situations and competing demands. You must rapidly prioritize tasks, allocate resources, and make critical decisions under pressure, often with limited information.
This demonstrates your capacity to quickly assess urgency and importance, effectively manage multiple priorities, and maintain composure in high-stakes environments – a vital asset in fast-paced civilian roles.
Team Synchronization
Commanding a flight crew requires precise coordination and communication. You're responsible for ensuring each member understands their role, executes their tasks flawlessly, and works together seamlessly as a cohesive unit.
This showcases your ability to foster collaboration, build effective teams, and drive collective performance – essential qualities for leadership positions in the civilian world.
After-Action Analysis
After each mission, you conduct thorough after-action reviews to identify areas for improvement, refine procedures, and enhance future performance. This commitment to continuous learning ensures mission effectiveness and crew readiness.
This highlights your analytical skills, attention to detail, and dedication to continuous improvement – qualities that are highly sought after in civilian organizations committed to excellence.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been honing your ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from crises during your military career, making you a natural fit. Your expertise in situational awareness, resource allocation, and team leadership will be invaluable in coordinating emergency response efforts and protecting communities.
Logistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been orchestrating complex missions with numerous moving parts. This experience makes you well-prepared to manage supply chains, coordinate transportation, and ensure efficient delivery of goods and services. Your attention to detail and ability to optimize resources will be highly valued in this role.
Project Manager
SOC 11-9199.00You've been leading teams and managing complex projects with strict deadlines and high stakes. Your skills in planning, execution, and problem-solving will translate seamlessly to the civilian world. You will be adept at managing budgets, timelines, and resources, while ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), various Air Force Bases
Topics Covered
- •Aerodynamics
- •Aircraft Systems
- •Flight Planning
- •Navigation
- •Emergency Procedures
- •Formation Flying
- •Low-Level Flight
- •Instrument Flight
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Requires FAA written and practical exams, flight hour minimums, and specific aircraft type ratings based on the mission aircraft flown. Knowledge of civilian aviation regulations and procedures.
Requires passing the FAA Part 107 knowledge test. Focus on regulations regarding airspace, weather, and operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft systems.
Requires experience in aviation management, passing an exam, and meeting specific educational/experiential criteria. Focus on business management, safety management systems, and human resources within aviation.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors (e.g., AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING pod) | High-resolution thermal imaging cameras and surveillance systems (e.g., FLIR Systems, security cameras) |
| Airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Collection Systems | Spectrum analyzers and RF monitoring equipment (e.g., Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz) |
| Secure Voice and Data Communication Systems (e.g., ARC-210 radio) | Encrypted communication platforms and satellite communication systems (e.g., Motorola, Iridium) |
| Tactical Data Links (e.g., Link 16) | Real-time data sharing platforms and networked communication systems (e.g., Software-defined networking (SDN)) |
| Mission Planning Systems (e.g., Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)) | Flight planning software and mission management tools (e.g., ForeFlight, Jeppesen) |
| Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems (e.g., AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System) | RF jammers and counter-surveillance technology (e.g., defensive measures for commercial drones) |
| Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) with GPS | Advanced GPS-aided navigation systems and autonomous vehicle navigation systems (e.g., Honeywell, Trimble) |
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