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)”

Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
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.
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.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
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.
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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