JOB REPORT / 53-2011 · 24 TASKS

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers.

Can AI do the work of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

File instrument flight plans with air traffic control…
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide…
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts…

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WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

19 of 24 tasks reviewed

This job has 24 core tasks. We went through 19 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
AI DOES
Auto-fills route details, fuel loads, and waypoints into flight plan forms
YOU DO
Review every plan for accuracy and take legal responsibility before filing
TASK 02
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
AI DOES
Analyzes weather, air traffic, and fuel data to suggest optimal routes, altitudes, and speeds
YOU DO
Use in-the-moment judgment when conditions change unexpectedly mid-flight
TASK 03
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
AI DOES
Calculates weight distribution, balance envelopes, and fuel totals from input data
YOU DO
Verify all inputs are correct and take legal responsibility for the final safety decision
TASK 04
Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
AI DOES
Pulls flight data from avionics and fills in log fields automatically
YOU DO
Verify entries, catch sensor errors, and sign off as the responsible pilot
TASK 05
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
AI DOES
Drafts schedule templates, pulls weather and NOTAMs, and formats evaluation reports
YOU DO
Apply safety judgment and sign off on all flight decisions
TASK 06
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
AI DOES
Monitors flight data, flags anomalies, and can assist with route optimization suggestions
YOU DO
Stay present in the cockpit to react to unexpected conditions and make final safety calls
TASK 07
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
AI DOES
Pulls together weather reports, NOTAMs, and dispatcher data into easy summaries
YOU DO
Weigh all factors and make the go/no-go safety call
TASK 08
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
AI DOES
Drafts briefing summaries, pulls weather data, and organizes flight details into clear formats
YOU DO
Lead the live briefing, confirm crew readiness, and take responsibility for safety decisions
TASK 09
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
AI DOES
Flags anomalies in engine data and fuel readings on digital displays
YOU DO
Interpret ambiguous alerts and decide the right action when something feels off
TASK 10
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
AI DOES
Flags anomalies in sensor data and supports automated alerts on glass cockpit displays
YOU DO
Stay present in the cockpit and act on warnings with real-world judgment
TASK 11
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
AI DOES
Suggests pre-written announcement scripts and helps personalize messages for weather, delays, or destinations
YOU DO
Speak live to passengers and adapt tone to real-time flight conditions
TASK 12
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
AI DOES
Pulls weather, fuel burn, weight, and route data to highlight possible concerns
YOU DO
Make the final call on every safety decision and hold legal responsibility for the flight
TASK 13
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
AI DOES
Automates heading, altitude, and approach guidance through autopilot and flight management computers
YOU DO
Stay physically present to monitor all systems, make real-time safety calls, and take manual control when needed
TASK 14
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
AI DOES
Drafts pre-flight briefings, checklists, and communication scripts
YOU DO
Speak live with controllers and crews in real time during flight
TASK 15
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
AI DOES
Generates lesson plans, explains flight theory, and quizzes student pilots on procedures
YOU DO
Be physically present in the cockpit to guide real flying and make live safety calls
TASK 16
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
AI DOES
Helps organize checklists, score sheets, and training records
YOU DO
Observe live performance and make safety-critical pass/fail calls in person
TASK 17
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
AI DOES
Assists with flight planning, weather analysis, and system monitoring
YOU DO
Stay in the seat — physical control, split-second judgment, and passenger safety require a trained human
TASK 18
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
AI DOES
Helps transcribe and log radio communications in some advanced cockpit systems
YOU DO
Stay present in the cockpit and respond to live ATC in real time
TASK 19
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
AI DOES
Supports pre-flight briefing prep and checklist review on the ground
YOU DO
Stay in command of the cockpit and crew in real time

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
SOC code: 53-2011
Tasks reviewed: 19 of 24

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $232,140 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $307,490 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 103,560
Employed in Colorado: 5,830
Job outlook: +3.9% by 2034 · ~11,700 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.

Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.

Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.

Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.

Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.

Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.

Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.

Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.

Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.

Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.

Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.

Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.

Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.

Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.

Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.

Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.

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.

Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.