Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who operates the controls of an aircraft: A pilot is someone who is licensed and trained to fly an airplane or other aircraft.
   • A person qualified to steer or guide a ship into and out of a harbor or through difficult waters: In maritime contexts, a pilot is an expert who temporarily guides ships in specific, often challenging, waterways.
   • A preliminary or test episode of a proposed television or radio series: A pilot is a single episode produced to test the concept and attract interest from networks or sponsors.
   • A device or component that serves as a guide or a small-scale model: A pilot can be a small flame used to ignite a larger burner, or a metal frame on a locomotive.

2. Verb:

   • To operate an aircraft: To act as the pilot of an airplane, helicopter, etc.
   • To guide or steer a ship or vehicle: To act as the navigator or person in control of a vessel's or vehicle's course.
   • To test or trial something on a small scale: To conduct an initial test of a project, system, or idea.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The airline pilot announced our arrival time. (The person flying the plane announced our arrival time.)
  • A harbor pilot boarded the ship to guide it into port. (A maritime expert came aboard to steer the ship into the harbor.)
  • The network liked the pilot and ordered a full season of the show. (The network approved the test episode and commissioned a complete series.)

• Verb:

  • She learned to pilot a small plane. (She learned to fly a small plane.)
  • He will pilot the new initiative through its first phase. (He will guide and test the new project in its initial stage.)

Advanced Usage

• "Pilot project" or "pilot program": A small-scale, preliminary study or trial run conducted to evaluate feasibility, time, cost, and potential problems before full implementation.

  • The company launched a pilot program in three cities to test the new service.

• "Pilot light": A small, continuously burning gas flame used to ignite a main burner in appliances like furnaces or water heaters.

  • If the pilot light goes out, the furnace won't start.

Variants and Related Words

• Pilotage (n): The act or skill of piloting a ship or aircraft; the fee paid for a pilot's services.
• Copilot (n): A second pilot who assists the pilot in command of an aircraft.
• Autopilot (n): A device for automatically steering aircraft, ships, or spacecraft; (figuratively) a state of operating without conscious thought.

Synonyms

• Aviator (n): A person who flies an aircraft.
• Captain (n): The person in command of a ship or aircraft.
• Navigate (v): To plan and direct the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pilot through: To guide something successfully through a process, especially a difficult or complex one.
  • She piloted the new legislation through parliament.

Related Idioms

• On automatic pilot / On autopilot: Doing something routinely or without thinking, due to habit or great familiarity.
  • After years of practice, I can make that recipe on autopilot.

Noun

1. an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track
2. small auxiliary gas burner that provides a flame to ignite a larger gas burner
3. something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
   • this painting is a copy of the original
4. a program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to attract sponsors
5. a person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters going into or out of a harbor
6. someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight

Verb

1. act as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyance
   • Is anyone volunteering to navigate during the trip?
   • Who was navigating the ship during the accident?
2. operate an airplane
   • The pilot flew to Cuba