Will “Airline Pilot (Captain)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“Airline Pilot (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 “Airline Pilot (Captain)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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