Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
SOC: 53-2011.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)
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.
AI Impact Summary
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2041 and 2051. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 9 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$226,600
per year
Mean Wage
$280,570
per year
Employment
99K
workers
Wage Range
$98,560 - N/A
10th - 90th pct
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 27.1%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
26 tasks analyzed
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
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.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
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.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test 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.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of 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.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
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.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 0 | 15.0 | 5% |
| Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor. | Non-Routine Analytical | 50 | 47.0 | 6% |
| Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 11% |
| Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment. | Routine Cognitive | 70 | 77.2 | 5% |
| Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 8% |
| Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions. | Non-Routine Analytical | 35 | 41.0 | 2% |
| Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 8% |
| Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 3% |
| Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 8% |
| Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists. | Routine Cognitive | 60 | 73.2 | 4% |
| Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance. | Non-Routine Manual | 0 | 9.0 | 2% |
| Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft. | Non-Routine Analytical | 35 | 41.0 | 2% |
| Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 4% |
| Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 3% |
| Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 10 | 19.0 | 4% |
| Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 5 | 17.0 | 3% |
| Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 3% |
| File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 2% |
| Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights. | Non-Routine Analytical | 35 | 41.0 | 2% |
| 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. | Non-Routine Analytical | 35 | 41.0 | 2% |
| Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 3% |
| Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 2% |
| Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 2% |
| Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling. | Routine Manual | 25 | 43.0 | 2% |
| Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 10 | 19.0 | 2% |
| Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 2% |
Community Assessment
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