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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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