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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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