Will “Aircraft Captain” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“Aircraft 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 “Aircraft Captain”

Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during 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.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
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.
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.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
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.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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