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

18% Chance of Automation

“Airline 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 “Airline Pilot (Captain)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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