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.
U.S. Workers
99,300
Median Salary
$226,600
10-Year Growth
+3.9%
Annual Openings
11,700
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
26 of 26 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
AI: Fully automatable - Instrument landing systems, autopilots, and IFR avionics can guide flights in low-visibility conditions and are routinely used for instrument flight operations.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
AI: Fully automatable - FADEC, EICAS/ECAM, and automated control systems continuously monitor instruments and regulate engine parameters without human intervention.
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
AI: Fully automatable - Autopilots integrated with flight management computers routinely steer aircraft along planned routes without continuous manual control.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
AI: Fully automatable - Onboard monitoring systems and algorithms continuously track engine operation, fuel consumption, and system health and can alert or take protective actions automatically.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
AI: Fully automatable - Flight-planning and optimization systems already select routes, altitudes, and speeds to optimize time, safety, and comfort and can reoptimize dynamically during flight.
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can generate and deliver comprehensive crew briefings (text and speech) and integrate them into operations, enabling full automation of this task.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
AI: Fully automatable - Filing instrument flight plans is already routinely automated by software and AI systems can fully prepare and submit these plans.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
AI: Fully automatable - Flight data systems and software can automatically record times, distances, and fuel consumption, fully automating logbook entries.
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
AI: Fully automatable - Flight activity planning, test scheduling, and preparation of evaluation reports can be fully automated using optimization algorithms and automated report generation from flight data and logs.
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
AI: Fully automatable - Text-to-speech and integrated PA systems allow AI to make routine flight announcements automatically without human intervention.
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
AI: Partial - AI and automation can assist heavily during crew operations, but regulatory, safety, and human factors requirements mean AI cannot yet fully replace the role of a human flight crew member during critical phases like takeoff and landing.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
AI: Partial - Automation handles many functions (engine start aids, autopilot, FMS) but fully autonomous end-to-end commercial flight operations including certification, complex contingencies, and crew coordination are not generally in routine use.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
AI: Partial - Datalink systems (CPDLC) automate much ATC communication and AI voice systems can technically handle radio calls, but voice communications remain primarily human-operated and not widely certified for unsupervised use.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
AI: Partial - Automation can detect faults, initiate protections, and assist with standard failure responses, but nuanced emergency decision-making, crew coordination, and non-standard improvisation still rely on humans.
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
AI: Partial - Dispatch and load-planning software can compute weight and balance and fuel requirements, but physical verification of distributions and integrated sensing remain only partially automated.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
AI: Partial - Computer-vision drones and automated inspection tools handle many exterior checks, but comprehensive preflight inspections per checklist still require manual checks and judgment in many cases.
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose issues and schedule or coordinate maintenance but cannot perform most physical minor maintenance tasks without robotic hardware and certification.
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
AI: Partial - AI can run detailed simulations and analyze flight-test telemetry to support evaluation, but human pilots and test engineers retain control and certification responsibility for new aircraft testing.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
AI: Partial - AI can aggregate dispatch and meteorological data and generate briefings or alerts but cannot fully replace human judgment and official communications in dynamic operational contexts.
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with crew coordination via automation, checklists, and recommendations but cannot fully assume leadership and real-time crew management responsibilities.
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
AI: Partial - AI can prepare and exchange coordination messages (including CPDLC) and inform crews, but real-time coordination with ATC and ground crews still requires human oversight and authority.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
AI: Partial - AI can recommend fuel, load, route, or schedule changes based on data and predictive models but typically cannot unilaterally issue operational orders that require human or dispatcher authority.
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.
AI: Partial - AI systems can run automated test profiles and collect data, but conducting complex in-flight evaluations across weather conditions typically requires human pilots for safety and judgment.
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
AI: Partial - AI can provide simulator-based lessons, adaptive curricula, and instructional materials but cannot fully replace the in‑flight mentorship, real‑time judgement, and regulatory authority of a human flight instructor.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
AI: Partial - Automated ground vehicles and robotics can assist with loading and refueling but the dexterity, safety oversight, and regulatory constraints mean full automation is not generally practical by 2025.
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
AI: Partial - AI can objectively analyze simulator metrics and provide evaluation support but cannot fully perform the legal, holistic, and judgemental role of a human examiner for pilot certification.