Will “Pilot (Captain)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

18% Chance of Automation

“Pilot (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.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

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 “Pilot (Captain)”

Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
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.
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
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.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
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.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
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.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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