Will “Aircraft Captain” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“Aircraft Captain” will almost certainly not be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #204 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport Pilot certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, National, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-2011.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 152,770.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 0.00
Currently, there are 81,520 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Aircraft Captain”

Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.

Related Technology & Tools

Electric trim switches
Autobrakes
Wing anti-ice systems
Instrument landing system ILS localizers
Flaps control levers
Windscreen ice control systems
Very high frequency VHF radio communication systems
Flight database systems
Global positioning system GPS devices
Digital communications display units DCDU
Long range navigation LORAN-C systems
Aileron trim switches
Satellite-based navigation and guidance systems
Hydraulic pressure regulators
Power generation and distribution control systems
Ground proximity warning systems GPWS
Emergency exit slides
Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems
Continuous flow emergency oxygen systems
Fuel control systems
Pneumatics systems
Recirculation control systems
On-board intercom systems
Passenger oxygen control systems
Automatic landing systems
Data load selectors
Rudder pedals
Instrument landing system ILS glideslope receivers
Equipment cooling controls
Hydraulic control systems
Diluter demand emergency oxygen systems
Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS
Cockpit displays of traffic information CDTI
Very high frequency VHF direction finders
Landing gear control systems
High-frequency HF radio communication systems
Emergency life rafts
Nosewheel steering systems
Anti-skid control systems
Brake management systems
Notebook computers
Desktop computers
Rudder trim knobs
Transponder landing systems TLS
Fire suppression and control systems
Head-up guidance systems HGS
Brake pedals
Navigation mode selectors
Inertial navigation systems INS
Hydraulic actuators
Control wheels
Microwave landing systems MLS
Point plotters
Ultra high frequency UHF radio communication systems
Radio frequency-based navigation and guidance systems
Aircraft data loaders
Pressurization control systems
Attitude heading reference systems AHRS
Fire extinguishers
Electronic flight instrument systems EFIS
Personal digital assistants PDA
Yaw damper systems
Pressure demand emergency oxygen systems
Distance measuring equipment DME
Control display units CDU
Engine anti-ice systems
Autopilot systems
Manual trim wheels
Very high frequency omnidirectional range VOR systems
Nondirectional radio beacon markers

Navzilla
Skylog Services Skylog Pro
Polaris Microsystems AeroLog Pro
Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
AirSmith FlightPrompt
Polaris Microsystems CharterLog
Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance
Microsoft Word
IFT-Pro
SBS International Maestro Suite
Microsoft Excel
Nimblefeet Technologies Captain's Keeper
MJICCS PilotLog
doXstor Flight Level Logbook
CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B
RMS Technology Flitesoft
AeroPlanner
Notam Development Group Airport Insight
Electronic aircraft information databases