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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Scott was fascinated to share the stories of Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and test pilot Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier. 
Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 More than 8,000 single mothers completed applications for Birmingham’s test pilot program that will offer free monthly income for a year. al, 8 Mar. 2022 Davis’ father worked as a test pilot and engineer for Learjet. Callum Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2022 Three decades after the original 1986 classic, test pilot Maverick (Cruise) trains a new crop of Top Gun graduates (including Powell and Monica Barbaro) for a dangerous mission. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2022 During this move, first performed by Soviet test pilot Viktor Pugachoyov in 1989, the pilot takes the nose of the plane completely vertical, or even beyond. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 15 Apr. 2022 Jessica Wittner, 38, is a US Navy lieutenant commander, naval aviator and test pilot who has flown F/A-18 fighter jets. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Dec. 2021 The mission is being commanded by NASA astronaut Raja Chari, an Air Force colonel and test pilot, who is making his first trip to space. Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021 Maverick zooms into the Naval base on his Kawasaki each day and continues to get his kicks as a daredevil test pilot, resisting the advancement in rank from captain that would have grounded him by now. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 May 2022 See More
Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 More than 8,000 single mothers completed applications for Birmingham’s test pilot program that will offer free monthly income for a year. al, 8 Mar. 2022 Davis’ father worked as a test pilot and engineer for Learjet. Callum Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2022 Three decades after the original 1986 classic, test pilot Maverick (Cruise) trains a new crop of Top Gun graduates (including Powell and Monica Barbaro) for a dangerous mission. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2022 During this move, first performed by Soviet test pilot Viktor Pugachoyov in 1989, the pilot takes the nose of the plane completely vertical, or even beyond. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 15 Apr. 2022 Jessica Wittner, 38, is a US Navy lieutenant commander, naval aviator and test pilot who has flown F/A-18 fighter jets. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Dec. 2021 The mission is being commanded by NASA astronaut Raja Chari, an Air Force colonel and test pilot, who is making his first trip to space. Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021 Maverick zooms into the Naval base on his Kawasaki each day and continues to get his kicks as a daredevil test pilot, resisting the advancement in rank from captain that would have grounded him by now. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1917, in the meaning defined above
test pilot
noun
as in bush pilot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bush pilot
- pilot
- copilot
- flyer
- ace
- flyboy
- airman
- aviator
- flier
- skipper
- birdman
- barnstormer
- captain