pilot

The word “pilot” means a person who operates the controls of an aircraft. In plain terms, someone who flies planes or steers ships, a trial run of something (like a TV episode or programme), or the verb meaning to steer or test.

“Pilot” is pronounced PEYE-luht (/ˈpaɪ̯.lət/ in IPA).

Here is “pilot” used in a sentence: “The pilot announced a smooth descent into Heathrow.”

Depending on how it is used, “pilot” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “pilot” comes from Ancient Greek. From French pilot, ultimately traced to an Ancient Greek word for the blade of an oar — the same root behind "rudder"-related words in Greek.

“Pilot” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Pilot” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who operates the controls of an aircraft.

A pilot operates the controls of an aircraft, guiding it safely from takeoff to landing. The job includes planning the route, checking weather and fuel, communicating with air traffic control, monitoring instruments, and responding to problems in flight. On airliners, two pilots usually share these duties as a team.

Becoming a pilot means logging flight hours with a certified instructor and passing written exams, medical checks, and practical flight tests to earn a license. Those aiming for the airlines build hours and ratings, often starting with a private license, then a commercial one, and finally an airline transport certificate.

The pilot in command, often called the captain, holds final authority and responsibility for the flight. The co-pilot, or first officer, is a fully qualified pilot who shares the flying and monitoring duties and can take control when needed. They work as a team and often swap roles leg by leg.

Pilots specialize in different areas. Airline pilots fly scheduled passenger and cargo jets; commercial pilots handle charters, aerial work, or sightseeing flights; military pilots fly for the armed forces; and private pilots fly for personal reasons. Test pilots and helicopter pilots are further specialized roles within the profession.