Will AI replace pilots?
Updated
Commercial pilots score 33 of 100 for AI exposure. 50% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 25% today and speed up another 25%.
- 25% AI can do it
- 25% AI helps
- 50% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Lower than 57% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 24 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 6 of them today, speeds up 6 and leaves 12 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption. Flight log entries are easily filled from system data. | 75% AI can do it |
| File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic. Electronic flight plan filing is routine and easily automated. | 70% AI can do it |
| Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne. Takeoff speed math is software computable; pilot verifies results. | 65% AI can do it |
| Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports. Schedules and evaluation reports are drafted easily by AI. | 65% AI can do it |
| Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments. Flight planning software drafts plans; pilot checks regulations. | 60% AI can do it |
| Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes. AI can gather and summarize weather, fuel, and load data. | 60% AI can do it |
| Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots. AI can draft procedure content; delivery still needs an instructor. | 50% AI helps |
| Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights. Route and speed optimization tools help; pilot judges safety tradeoffs. | 45% AI helps |
| Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights. AI can weigh fuel and load options; pilot decides. | 40% AI helps |
| Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures. Briefings and messages drafted by AI; live coordination stays human. | 30% AI helps |
Show the other 14 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights. Monitoring gauges in flight; alerts assist, pilot stays watching. | 25% AI helps |
| Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate. Radio requests and reroutes are live decisions with ATC. | 25% AI helps |
| Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations. Live flight teaching is human; ground prep uses AI. | 18% Needs a person |
| Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment. Live radio voice exchanges with towers, mandated human communication. | 15% Needs a person |
| Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly. Hands-on physical walkaround inspection of aircraft systems. | 12% Needs a person |
| Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor. Instrument flying is live physical control of the aircraft. | 10% Needs a person |
| Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly. Physically checking loaded cargo and baggage on the aircraft. | 10% Needs a person |
| 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. Test flying in all weather needs human pilot in aircraft. | 10% Needs a person |
| Supervise other crew members. Leading crew in real time needs human authority and presence. | 10% Needs a person |
| Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required. Live flight duties in the cockpit, requires physical presence. | 8% Needs a person |
| Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures. Physically operating aircraft controls in real flight. | 8% Needs a person |
| Perform minor aircraft maintenance and repair work, or arrange for major maintenance. Physical repair work on aircraft; arranging maintenance is clerical. | 8% Needs a person |
| Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency. Proficiency checkrides are live human evaluations in aircraft. | 8% Needs a person |
| Rescue and evacuate injured persons. Physical rescue and evacuation of injured people. | 3% Needs a person |
How commercial pilots compare
All occupations (923)
Transportation and material moving (52)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $123,220 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 47,630 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +5.2% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Verify AI-computed takeoff speeds against aircraft performance charts
- Review flight plans in AeroPlanner against company and government regulations
- Hold a Commercial Pilot certificate with instrument rating
- Fly instrument approaches in flight simulation software for proficiency
- Audit flight logs kept in MJICCS PilotLog or doXstor Flight Level Logbook
- Brief crew in person before each air ambulance flight
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about commercial pilots and AI
Will pilots be replaced by AI?
Partly. About 3 in 10 working hours of a commercial pilot's day go to tasks AI can already do, mostly writing flight records and filing flight plans with air traffic control. Live flying, emergency rescue and instrument flight in poor visibility stay with people, because they need a pilot physically in the cockpit.
Will AI take over pilot jobs?
AI can already do 25% of the task time in pilot and speeds up another 25%. People still do 50% of it. The US has 47,630 commercial pilot jobs, with a projected change of +5.2% from 2024 to 2034.
Which tasks is AI taking over for commercial pilots?
Flight log entries and flight plan filing lead the list, with exposure scores of 75 and 70. Flight records draw from system data, and electronic plans file with air traffic control on routine forms. Takeoff speed math from weight, temperature and wind also scores 65, and the pilot checks the result.
Which tasks stay human for commercial pilots?
Flying the aircraft stays with pilots, scoring 8 on exposure, because starting engines and working controls need a person in the cockpit. Instrument flying in poor visibility scores 10, since it is live physical control of the aircraft. Rescue and evacuation of injured people scores 3 and needs hands on site.
How can commercial pilots stay valuable?
Keep your hours in MJICCS PilotLog or doXstor Flight Level Logbook and check any auto-filled entries before signing. Review AeroPlanner flight plans against company and government regulations before each departure. Hold the instrument rating and log live instrument approaches, since checkrides are human evaluations. Train in flight simulation software to keep proficiency sharp for charter and air ambulance work.
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