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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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