Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On July 17, 2015, James Anderberg had been piloting a Spirit Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis and back, with plans to then go to Boston.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Rolf Lanzendorfer, 64, had been piloting commercial floatplanes for more than 40 years, largely in British Columbia, Chelan, Alaska and the Seattle area.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2021

A 22-year-old woman had been piloting the plane over Jamaica, Queens, with her instructor when a 60-foot Tom Cat floated into view “like a sea serpent out of its native element,” The Times reported.

From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2017

He had been piloting the small plane and was the only one onboard.

From Washington Times • Dec. 2, 2014

Miss Elting turned to point out the man who had been piloting them along the platform.

From The Meadow-Brook Girls in the Hills The Missing Pilot of the White Mountains by Aldridge, Janet