test pilot

noun

: a pilot who specializes in putting new or experimental airplanes through maneuvers designed to test them (as for strength) by producing strains in excess of normal

Examples of test pilot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Glover was a test pilot in the F/A‐18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA‐18G Growler and has flown over 45 aircraft, accumulating over 4000 hours in the skies. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Boeing’s Starliner capsule had so many problems in 2024 that its two test pilots were stuck at the International Space Station for nearly a year. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

The maiden flight of the full-scale eFlyer 2 prototype launched from Centennial Airport near Denver, with chief test pilot Elliot Seguin at the controls. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

He was first selected to become an astronaut in 2013 after serving as a test pilot for the F/A‐18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA‐18G Growler aircraft. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for test pilot

• autopilot
• eyelet
• islet
• stylet

Kids Definition

test pilot

noun

: a pilot who puts new aircraft through tests