page_title: Aircraft pilot
section_title: Unmanned aerial vehicles
hierarchical_section_title: Aircraft pilot / Unmanned aerial vehicles
caption_attribution_description: English: HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – Maj. Jeremy Fields, chief of standard evaluations with the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, pilots an MQ-1 Predator during a training mission at Holloman, Feb. 18. The 6th RS mission is to train pilots and sensor operators to execute combate operations with MQ-1 Predators. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Veronica Stamps)
context_page_description: An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they are involved in operating the aircraft's navigation and engine systems. Other aircrew members, such as drone operators, flight attendants, mechanics and ground crew, are not classified as aviators.
  In recognition of the pilots' qualifications and responsibilities, most militaries and many airlines worldwide award aviator badges to their pilots.
context_section_description: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as "drones") operate without a pilot on-board and are classed into two categories: autonomous aircraft that operate without active human control during flight and remotely piloted UAVs which are operated remotely by one or more persons. The person controlling a remotely piloted UAV may be referred to as its pilot or operator. Depending on the sophistication and use of the UAV, pilots/operators of UAVs may require certification or training, but are generally not subject to the licensing/certification requirements of pilots of manned aircraft.
  Most jurisdictions have restrictions on the use of UAVs which have greatly limited their use in controlled airspace; UAVs have mostly been limited to military and hobbyist use. In the United States, use of UAVs is very limited in controlled airspace (generally, above 400 ft/122m and away from airports) and the FAA prohibits nearly all commercial use. Once regulations are made to allow expanded use of UAVs in controlled airspace, there is expected to be a large surge of UAVs in use and, consequently, high demand for pilots/operators of these aircraft.
caption: A United States Air Force RPA pilot.
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