<p>Surgical training is undergoing a broad transition toward competency-based medical education. Yet, the field continues to struggle with how to structure assessment, standardize expectations, and ensure consistent progression toward independent practice. Military aviation provides a mature model for training individuals to perform high-risk and technically demanding tasks by using structured curricula, standardized evaluation tools, and continuous feedback. This commentary draws on the authors’ experience in naval aviation to highlight practices such as graded task checklists, simulation-based skill acquisition, and the use of trained “check” instructors that may inform the evolution of surgical education. Parallels between aviation and surgery illustrate the value of real-time, granular assessment data, clear proficiency benchmarks, and program-wide standardization. Integrating these principles with emerging digital platforms and EPA-driven evaluation systems may support more reliable tracking of resident competency and may also accelerate the development of a unified framework for competency-based surgical training.</p>