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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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