Will “Captain” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“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 “Captain”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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