Collocations for "pilot"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "pilot" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
pilot
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- is a licensed pilot
- the pilot and co-pilot
- could the pilot report to the flight deck?
- the pilot in [charge, command]
- an experienced pilot
- got to meet the pilot
- put the plane on automatic pilot
- the pilot [made, went through] the final checks
- the pilot switched [on, off] the (seatbelt signs)
- the pilot [plotted, entered] the coordinates
- a [helicopter, glider] pilot
- is [training, studying] to be the pilot
- a [commercial, fighter, private, military] pilot
- the [TV, show's] pilot was a [success, bust]
- was a [great, terrible, widely viewed] pilot
- the [heater's, boiler's] pilot light
- [switch on, switch off, activate] the pilot light
- the pilot light is [on, off]
- pilot a [plane, fighter jet, helicopter]
- pilot the [fastest, newest, most expensive] [plane]
- piloted [a flight, her maiden voyage, the crossing]
- piloted by the [captain, lieutenant, passenger]
- piloted through the [storm, hurricane]
- piloted into the [storm]
- piloted him through the [first year, new job, booking process, inhospitable terrain]
- pilot a [TV show, service, new product, new project, program]
- the [TV show] (was) piloted [in July, in the summer, for 1 month]
- pilot with [students, businesses, the unemployed, new graduates]
- the pilot [episode, show]
- a pilot [screening, broadcast] (of)
- a pilot [trial, program, project, scheme]
- [approve, design, implement, roll out] a pilot [trial]
- a pilot [trial] in [schools, cities, rural areas, stations]
- a pilot [trial, study] to [determine, discover, gauge, provide]
- [conduct, carry out, analyze] a pilot study
- the [heater's, boiler's] pilot light
- [switch on, switch off, activate] the pilot light
- the pilot light is [on, off]
'pilot' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):