Will “First Officer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“First Officer” 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 “First Officer”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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