1. Someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
   "The aeroplane pilot safely navigated through the turbulent weather";
   - airplane pilot [N. Amer], aeroplane pilot [Brit]
    
2. A person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters going into or out of a harbour
   "The experienced pilot safely navigated the large cargo ship into the busy port"
    
3. (TV/film) a trial episode or program made to test audience reaction or demonstrate to sponsors
   "The network executives were impressed by the pilot film and ordered a full season";
   - pilot program, pilot film
    
4. Something that serves as a model or pattern for later copies or developments
   "The pilot episode established the format for the entire series";
   - original, archetype
    
5. Small auxiliary gas burner that provides a flame to ignite a larger gas burner
   "The gas stove's pilot burner ensured quick ignition of the main burners";
   - pilot burner, pilot light
    
6. [N. Amer] An inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track
   "The pilot on the old steam engine was designed to push obstacles off the rails";
   - fender, buffer, cowcatcher [N. Amer]

1. Operate an aeroplane
   "He piloted 55 missions in World War II";
   - fly, aviate
    
2. 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 pilot during the trip?";
   - navigate
    
3. Test or introduce something on a small scale before wider implementation
   "The company piloted the new system in three stores";
   - trial

Sounds like: pidgins, pi, pilot

Derived forms: pilots, piloting, piloted

Type of: aviator, channelise [Brit], channelize, control, direct, example, flier, flyer, frame, framework, gas burner, gas jet, gob [US, informal], guide, head, Jack [informal], Jack-tar, maneuver [US], manoeuvre [Brit, Cdn], mariner, model, old salt, operate, point, sea dog, seafarer, seaman, steer, tar, television program, television show, TV program, TV show

Part of: engine, loco [informal], locomotive, locomotive engine, railroad locomotive [N. Amer], railway locomotive [Brit, Cdn]

Encyclopedia: Pilot, Part 2