Pilot Counseling Services
Airline interview preparation · since 1997

Your interview,
precision-prepared.

Since 1997, Pilot Counseling Services has prepared pilots for interviews at virtually every Part 121 carrier. Founder Judy Tarver hired over 7,100 pilots at American Airlines — and her programs now continue at Spitfire Elite.

Explore programsMeet Judy
A transfer of trust

Pilot Counseling Services is now part of Spitfire Elite.

Established in 1997, Pilot Counseling Services guided more than 14,000 pilot candidates toward the flight deck. In 2023 Judy Tarver passed the baton to Spitfire Elite, who carry the PCS legacy forward — the Tarver Tactics are now part of the Spitfire curriculum, and Judy continues to coach pilots under the Spitfire banner.

Pilot Counseling Services+Spitfire Elite
Read the announcement
“It has been an incredible journey guiding aspiring pilots towards success. Although I look forward to continuing to support applicants, I’m thrilled to pass the baton to Spitfire Elite, knowing that they will uphold the same standards of excellence and dedication that PCS is known for.”Judy Tarver, Founder
7,100pilots hired at American Airlines
14,000candidates coached since 1997
95%success rate
40+years in pilot selection and recruitment
Why choose us

What makes us special

1

Unmatched Industry Experience

Our founder, Judy Tarver, is an established expert in the field of pilot selection and recruitment. A few highlights of her career include:

  • Hired over 7,100 pilots at American Airlines.
  • NTSB panelist on Pilot Selection and the Pilot Shortage
  • Member of FAA Aviation Rule Making Committee established under the Pilot Records Improvement Act to evaluate industry pilot selection criteria where all airlines did a presentation of their selection criteria
  • Member of ARC International Licensing Harmonization Working Group as sole U.S. expert in pilot selection to represent the United States in Europe
  • Former National Chairman, Aviation Exploring (Division of the Boy Scouts of America). Served on National Aviation Exploring Committee
2

We Can Help You At Any Airline

Since 2002, Pilot Counseling Services has been successful in preparing pilots for interviews at virtually every Part 121 carrier, along with other companies in the regional, corporate and charter industry. We have up-to-date interview information on each airline’s process.

3

A Personal Approach To Every Pilot

Judy prides herself on taking a personal approach to each individual she coaches. There is nothing canned about her training. Not only does she provide the best prep, but she pioneered the two-on-one replica of an actual airline-specific interview. She works closely with you in one-on-one and two-on-one sessions to make sure the companies are getting to know you and that you are demonstrating exactly what they are targeting.

4

Application Review and Resume Development

Increase your chance to get an interview. Judy’s application review covers technical issues, errors, omissions, inconsistencies, spelling and grammar — any of which can keep your application from getting to the top of the list.

A well written, properly formatted one-page resume is imperative when presenting at the interview, a job fair or a meet and greet. Decades of experience in pilot recruitment go into a resume that highlights your aviation experience and gets you hired first.

Judy Tarver
Founder · Lead coach · Now coaching with Spitfire Elite

Judy Tarver

For over 40 years Judy has worked as an aviation consultant, writer and speaker specializing in the field of pilot selection and recruitment. Her career started with American Airlines where she was responsible for facilitating the hiring of over 7,100 airline pilots. Since then she has consulted with several major air carriers along with government and industry aviation associations, and has presented before the NTSB, FAA, DOD and DOJ.

Facilitated the hiring of over 7,100 airline pilots at American AirlinesNTSB panelist on Pilot Selection and the Pilot ShortageMember of two FAA Aviation Rule Making Committees on pilot selectionSole U.S. expert in pilot selection on the ARC International Licensing Harmonization Working Group
Read Judy’s full story
What Judy built

Five programs, one address now: Spitfire Elite.

Nothing about the training is canned. Every program carries on at Spitfire Elite, taught by coaches who have interviewed pilots at an air carrier.

1

Precision Interviewing Course

Airline-specific precision training — no surprises. Tarver Tactics, the Skills Audio, up to four hours of one-on-one practice and updated airline-specific interview information.

Precision Interview CourseDetails
2

Blaze AI Coach & Mock Interviews

The panel simulation has grown into Blaze, Spitfire’s AI interview coach — unlimited reps with intelligent feedback — plus tailored technical sessions and a full mock interview before the real thing.

Meet Blaze, your AI coachDetails
3

Application & Resume Review

Your application and resume are an airline’s first impression of you. A full review of technical issues, errors, omissions and inconsistencies before you submit.

Application ReviewDetails
4

Resume Development

An industry-standard one-page resume that sells your qualifications and is easy to follow — at the interview, a job fair or a meet and greet.

Resume templatesDetails
5

Workshops & Military Transition

How to prepare for your civilian career: hiring trends, what to expect at interviews and interview tips. Presented at Altus, Andrews, Dover and Phoenix.

Military Transition CourseDetails
Happy clients

What pilots say

“I will spend the rest of my career being grateful I worked with Judy and her wonderful team. The level of confidence I had heading into my interview after working with Pilot Counseling Services was unlike any experience I’ve had before, and it really made the difference.”
Sam KrantzlerRegional Pilot
“It went so well that at the end of the interview, one of the interviewers asked me if I did any prep, and asked who it was so he could recommend Pilot Counseling Services to others. I left with a CJO.”
CJ WillMilitary Pilot
“With the highest confidence due to detailed preparation, I interviewed and received CJOs from two legacy carriers. One of the legacy carriers complimented me on my interview and guessed correctly that I had used Pilot Counseling Services.”
Pete OrtizMilitary and Regional Pilot
Organizations we support
Southwest AirlinesDelta Air LinesFedEx ExpressAmerican AirlinesUnited AirlinesAtlas AirUPS AirlinesAir Transport InternationalAlaska AirlinesFrontier AirlinesHawaiian AirlinesJetBlueSpirit AirlinesAllegiantOBAPWomen in Aviation InternationalSisters of the SkiesRTAGThe Pilot Network
Get in touch

Ready to get started?

We endeavour to answer all enquiries within 24 hours on business days. To reach Judy directly, email admin@spitfireelite.com or info@spitfireelite.com.

Headquarters
709 N 1187 Suite 800 #416, Aledo, TX 76008