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1305 Career Guide

Navy

1305: Naval Aviator (Pilot)

Career transition guide for Navy Naval Aviator (Pilot) (1305)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1305 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Airline Pilot

$200K
High matchVery high demand

Aerospace Engineer

$120K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian engineering certificationsSpecific software proficiency (e.g., CAD)

Air Traffic Controller

$135K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Air Traffic Controller Certification

Aviation Safety Inspector

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Safety Inspector CertificationKnowledge of civil aviation regulations

Project Manager (Aviation/Defense)

$110K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationFamiliarity with civilian project management methodologies

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1305 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Aviation officers constantly maintain an awareness of their surroundings, including weather, aircraft status, and potential threats, to make informed decisions in dynamic environments.

This translates to an ability to quickly assess and understand complex situations, anticipating potential problems and opportunities.

Rapid Prioritization

Pilots and NFOs face rapidly changing conditions and must prioritize tasks and responses in real-time to ensure mission success and safety.

You have a proven ability to quickly evaluate situations, identify critical issues, and allocate resources effectively under pressure.

Team Synchronization

Operating aircraft requires seamless coordination and communication with aircrew, ground personnel, and other units, demanding a high degree of teamwork and mutual understanding.

You excel at working collaboratively with diverse teams, coordinating efforts, and ensuring everyone is aligned toward common goals.

After-Action Analysis

Following flight operations or training exercises, officers participate in debriefs to identify areas for improvement and refine procedures, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

You are skilled at critically evaluating past performance, identifying lessons learned, and implementing changes to improve future outcomes.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been responsible for the safe and effective management of complex aircraft and personnel movements. That experience translates directly into managing the flow of goods, resources, and information within a civilian logistics operation.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to handle crises and make critical decisions under pressure. This makes you an ideal candidate to lead emergency preparedness and response efforts in a community or organization.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've consistently managed complex projects, adhering to strict timelines and budgets. Your ability to coordinate teams, mitigate risks, and deliver results makes you well-suited to lead projects in various industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Flight School, Naval Air Station Pensacola

480 training hours30 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended in aviation technology, flight operations, and aviation safety.

Topics Covered

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Meteorology
  • Navigation
  • Flight Planning
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Instrument Flight
  • Formation Flying

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

FAA Commercial Pilot License70% covered

Differences in FAA regulations and procedures, specific aircraft type ratings may be needed.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Formal project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), specific PMBOK Guide knowledge.

Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)60% covered

Specifics of civilian aviation management, business aviation best practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) CertificateCertified Flight Instructor (CFI)Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Aviation Management

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS)Commercial Aviation Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) for precision landings
AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RadarAdvanced weather and navigation radar systems in commercial aviation
Link 16 Tactical Data LinkAircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) for data communication
AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) SystemElectronic warfare threat simulation and analysis software
Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)Commercial satellite communication systems for data and voice
Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN)VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation systems
Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP)FAA-regulated aircraft maintenance programs

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