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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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