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)”

Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
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.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
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.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
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.
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.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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