Takeover Tracker
34%medium risk
Commercial Pilots
vs

64 shared · 32 different

core competencies

37%medium risk
Airfield Operations Specialists

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCommercial PilotsAirfield Operations Specialists
Risk Score34.2%37.3%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile63th73th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)10 / 155 / 15
Median Salary$122,670$56,750
Employment52K17K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Operation and Control
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Controlling Machines and Processes
Reaction Time
Control Precision
Multilimb Coordination
Operation Monitoring
Spatial Orientation
Geography
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Depth Perception
Public Safety and Security

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Commercial Pilots

32%

total discount

Airfield Operations Specialists

30%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Commercial Pilots

10 of 15 at risk
89%Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
87%File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
87%Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
85%Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
77%Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.

Airfield Operations Specialists

5 of 15 at risk
86%Maintain flight and events logs, air crew flying records, and flight operations records of incoming and outgoing flights.
80%Maintain air-to-ground and point-to-point radio contact with aircraft commanders.
78%Use airfield landing and navigational aids and digital data terminal communications equipment to perform duties.
69%Provide aircrews with information and services needed for airfield management and flight planning.
53%Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.

Wage Comparison

Airfield Operations Specialists earns -$65,920(-54%) vs Commercial Pilots
Commercial PilotsAirfield Operations Specialists
10th
$59,330$35,200
25th
$81,660$41,220
Median
$122,670$56,750
75th
$175,050$78,320
90th
$239,200$111,030

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Commercial Pilots2028–2035
Airfield Operations Specialists2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Commercial Pilots has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Airfield Operations Specialists.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Commercial Pilots

$80,729

from $122,670

Airfield Operations Specialists

$35,594

from $56,750

After adjusting for AI risk, Commercial Pilots offers $45,136 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Commercial

0

Unique to Airfield

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Social Intelligence
Commercial PilotsAirfield Operations Specialists
Find transitions from Commercial PilotsFind transitions from Airfield Operations Specialists