Will “Airline Captain” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“Airline 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 “Airline Captain”

Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
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.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
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.
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
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.
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
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.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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