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”

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

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

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