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

18% Chance of Automation

“Captain/Airline Pilot” 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/Airline Pilot”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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