pilot
    n 1: someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
         [syn: pilot, airplane pilot]
    2: a person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters
       going into or out of a harbor
    3: a program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to
       attract sponsors [syn: pilot program, pilot film,
       pilot]
    4: something that serves as a model or a basis for making
       copies; "this painting is a copy of the original" [syn:
       original, archetype, pilot]
    5: small auxiliary gas burner that provides a flame to ignite a
       larger gas burner [syn: pilot burner, pilot light,
       pilot]
    6: an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear
       the track [syn: fender, buffer, cowcatcher, pilot]
    v 1: operate an airplane; "The pilot flew to Cuba" [syn: fly,
         aviate, pilot]
    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 navigate during the trip?"; "Who was
       navigating the ship during the accident?" [syn: navigate,
       pilot]

Pilot \Pi"lot\, n. [F. pilote, prob. from D. peillood plummet,
   sounding lead; peilen, pegelen, to sound, measure (fr. D. &
   G. peil, pegel, a sort of measure, water mark) + lood lead,
   akin to E. lead. The pilot, then, is the lead man, i. e., he
   who throws the lead. See Pail, and Lead a metal.]
   1. (Naut.) One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a
      steersman. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Specifically, a person duly qualified, and licensed by
      authority, to conduct vessels into and out of a port, or
      in certain waters, for a fixed rate of fees.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a
      difficult or unknown course.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.]
      [1913 Webster]

   6. (A["e]ronautics) One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an
      airplane, balloon, or other flying machine.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

   7. (Mach.) A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide
      the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   8. (Mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small
      dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   9. (Television) a filmed or taped episode of a proposed
      television series, produced as an example of the series.
      It may be shown only to those television broadcast
      executives who may decide whether to buy the rights to the
      series, or aired to test viewer reaction or to interest
      sponsors. Also called pilot film or pilot tape.
      [PJC]

   Pilot balloon, a small balloon sent up in advance of a
      large one, to show the direction and force of the wind.

   Pilot bird. (Zool.)
      (a) A bird found near the Caribbee Islands; -- so called
          because its presence indicates to mariners their
          approach to these islands. --Crabb.
      (b) The black-bellied plover. [Local, U.S.]

   Pilot boat, a strong, fast-sailing boat used to carry and
      receive pilots as they board and leave vessels.

   Pilot bread, ship biscuit.

   Pilot cloth, a coarse, stout kind of cloth for overcoats.
      

   Pilot engine, a locomotive going in advance of a train to
      make sure that the way is clear.

   Pilot fish. (Zool)
      (a) A pelagic carangoid fish (Naucrates ductor); -- so
          named because it is often seen in company with a
          shark, swimming near a ship, on account of which
          sailors imagine that it acts as a pilot to the shark.
      (b) The rudder fish (Seriola zonata).

   Pilot jack, a flag or signal hoisted by a vessel for a
      pilot.

   Pilot jacket, a pea jacket.

   Pilot nut (Bridge Building), a conical nut applied
      temporarily to the threaded end of a pin, to protect the
      thread and guide the pin when it is driven into a hole.
      --Waddell.

   Pilot snake (Zool.)
      (a) A large North American snake (Coluber obsoleus). It
          is lustrous black, with white edges to some of the
          scales. Called also mountain black snake.
      (b) The pine snake.

   Pilot whale. (Zool.) Same as Blackfish, 1.
      [1913 Webster]

Pilot \Pi"lot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piloted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Piloting.] [Cf. F. piloter.]
   1. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is
      dangerous.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or
      difficulties. "The art of piloting a state." --Berkeley.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (A["e]ronautics) To fly, or act as pilot of (an aircraft);
      to operate (an airplane).
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Cowcatcher \Cow"catch`er\ (-k?ch`?r), n.
   A strong inclined frame, usually of wrought-iron bars, in
   front of a locomotive engine, for catching or throwing off
   obstructions on a railway, as cattle; the pilot. [U.S.]

   Syn: fender, buffer, pilot.
        [1913 Webster]

PILOT

   Programmed Inquiry Learning Or Teaching.  CAI language, many
   versions.  "Guide to 8080 PILOT", J. Starkweather, Dr Dobb's J
   (Apr 1977).

PILOT, mer. law. This word has two meanings. It signifies, first, an officer 
serving on board of a ship during the course of a voyage, and having the 
charge of the helm and of the ship's route; and, secondly, an officer 
authorized by law, who is taken on board at a particular place, for the 
purpose of conducting a ship through a river, road or channel, or from or 
into port. 
     2. Pilots of the second description are established by legislative 
enactments at the principal seaports in this country, and have rights, and 
are bound to perform duties, agreeably to the provisions of the several laws 
establishing them. 
     3. Pilots have been established in all maritime countries. After due 
trial and experience of their qualifications, they are licensed to offer 
themselves as guides in difficult navigation; and they are usually, on the 
other hand, bound to obey the call of a ship-master to exercise their 
functions. Abbott on Ship. 180; 1 John R. 305; 4 Dall. 205; 2 New R. 82; 5 
Rob. Adm. Rep. 308; 6 Rob. Adm. R. 316; Laws of Oler. art. 23; Molloy, B. 2, 
c. 9, s. 3 and 7; Wesk. Ins. 395; Act of Congress of 7th August, 1789, s. 4; 
Merl. Repert. h.t.; Pardessus, n. 637.