Will “Captain” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“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 “Captain”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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