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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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