Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers score 35 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #472 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 26 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 14 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

35/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #472of 923 jobs
US workers: 103,560BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $232,140a year
In real AI use: 0 of 26tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (8%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 14 (54%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 10 (38%)

Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
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.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers and AI

Will AI replace airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers score 35 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #472 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 16 of the job's 26 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 10 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption"; "Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems".

Which airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures"; "Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings"; "Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers, and what do they earn?

About 103,560 people in the US, with median pay of $232,140 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.