test pilot

American  

noun

1. a pilot employed to test-fly newly-built aircraft.

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test pilot British  

noun

1. a pilot who flies aircraft of new design to test their performance in the air

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Etymology

Origin of test pilot

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

He is a test pilot who logged 170 days in space and can step into any role needed on the mission.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

However, he noted that it’s a special breed that can handle the extremes of the test pilot job — and that it requires some serious risk management across the whole team.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Adenot then became France's first woman helicopter test pilot in 2018.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Crew-12 marks the first spaceflight for mission specialist Sophie Adenot and pilot Jack Hathaway, both of whom have test pilot backgrounds.

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 2026

Ten women made it past the application process—five physicians, three engineers, a scientist, and a test pilot with an engineering degree.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson