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

18% Chance of Automation

“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 “Pilot (Captain)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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