Pilot vs. Captain: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A pilot typically flies aircraft, while a captain is a leader or commander of a crew, which can be in various contexts including aviation, maritime, or military.
Key Differences
A pilot is specifically trained to operate aircraft, navigating and controlling it during flight. A captain, on the other hand, is a title that denotes a leader or commander, which can be in aviation (like a senior pilot), on a ship, or in military units.
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While both positions entail significant responsibility, the pilot's primary focus is on the technical aspects of flying and navigating an aircraft. A captain, however, often has broader responsibilities including overall safety, crew management, and decision-making authority in their specific context.
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To become a pilot, one must undergo rigorous flight training and earn various licenses and certifications. Becoming a captain often requires additional experience, leadership skills, and in many cases, a higher level of certification or ranking, depending on the field.
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The term 'pilot' is mostly used in aviation but can also refer to someone who guides ships through difficult waters (river pilot). 'Captain' is used in many sectors including aviation, maritime, military, and even in sports teams, emphasizing a leadership role.
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The word 'pilot' has become synonymous with aviation and technological skill, while 'captain' carries a historical and cultural weight, often associated with authority, leadership, and respect across various domains.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Role
Operates and navigates aircraft.
Leader or commander of a crew or team.
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Context of Usage
Mainly in aviation, also in maritime.
Aviation, maritime, military, sports.
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Training
Flight training, licenses, certifications.
Leadership skills, experience, sometimes higher certification or rank.
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Responsibilities
Flying, navigation, technical aspects.
Safety, crew management, decision-making.
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Cultural Connotation
Synonymous with aviation, skill.
Associated with leadership, authority.
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Pilot and Captain Definitions
Pilot
A person who navigates ships through dangerous or congested waters.
The river pilot guided the vessel through the narrow channel.
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Captain
The leader or commander in certain branches of the military.
The captain led his troops with bravery and strategic insight.
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Pilot
A preliminary or experimental trial or test.
The company launched a pilot program to explore new market opportunities.
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Captain
The pilot in command of a commercial aircraft.
The captain announced our descent into New York City.
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Captain
A title given to the leader of a sports team.
The team captain rallied her players for a comeback.
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Pilot
One who, though not belonging to a ship's company, is licensed to conduct a ship into and out of port or through dangerous waters.
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Captain
A person recognized as a leader in a particular field.
He was known as the captain of industry due to his innovative business strategies.
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Captain
A precinct commander in a police or fire department, usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief.
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Pilot
The part of a tool, device, or machine that leads or guides the whole.
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Captain
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below major.
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Pilot
A television program produced as a prototype of a series being considered for adoption by a network.
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Captain
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Captain
A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above commander and below rear admiral.
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Pilot
To steer or control the course of
Piloted the visitors around the city.
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Captain
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Pilot
Serving as a tentative model for future experiment or development
A pilot project.
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Captain
A restaurant employee who is in charge of the waiters and usually attends to table seating.
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Pilot
A person who knows well the depths and currents of a harbor or coastal area, who is hired by a vessel to help navigate the harbor or coast.
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Captain
To act as captain of; command or direct
Captained the football team.
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Captain
The person lawfully in command of a ship or other vessel.
The captain is the last man to leave a sinking ship.
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Captain
An army officer with a rank between the most senior grade of lieutenant and major.
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Pilot
Something serving as a test or trial.
We would like to run a pilot in your facility before rolling out the program citywide.
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Captain
A commissioned officer in the United States Navy, Coast Guard, NOAA Corps, or PHS Corps of a grade superior to a commander and junior to a rear admiral (lower half). A captain is equal in grade or rank to a United States Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force colonel.
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Pilot
(mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
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Captain
One of the athletes on a sports team who is designated to make decisions, and is allowed to speak for his team with a referee or official.
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Captain
The leader of a group of workers.
John Henry said to the captain, "A man ain't nothing but a man."
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Pilot
(television) A sample episode of a proposed TV series produced to decide if it should be made or not. If approved, typically the first episode of an actual TV series.
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Captain
(southern US) An honorific title given to a prominent person. See colonel.
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Captain
(transitive) To exercise command of a ship, aircraft or sports team.
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Pilot
A short plug, sometimes made interchangeable, at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool.
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Captain
A head, or chief officer
A trainband captain eke was he.
The Rhodian captain, relying on . . . the lightness of his vessel, passed, in open day, through all the guards.
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Pilot
Made or used as a test or demonstration of capability.
A pilot run of the new factory
The pilot plant showed the need for major process changes.
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Captain
To act as captain of; to lead.
Men who captained or accompanied the exodus from existing forms.
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Pilot
Being a vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle/combination.
A pilot vehicle
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Pilot
(transitive) To test or have a preliminary trial of (an idea, a new product, etc.)
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Pilot
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.
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Pilot
Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course.
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Captain
A diningroom attendant who is in charge of the waiters and the seating of customers
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Captain
The person in command of a ship.
The captain steered the ship safely into the harbor.
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Pilot
One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an airplane, balloon, or other flying machine.
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Pilot
A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.
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Pilot
The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
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Pilot
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.
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Pilot
To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is dangerous.
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Pilot
A person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters going into or out of a harbor
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Pilot
A program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to attract sponsors
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Pilot
Small auxiliary gas burner that provides a flame to ignite a larger gas burner
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Pilot
An inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track
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Pilot
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?
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Pilot
A person who operates the controls of an aircraft.
The pilot skillfully landed the plane despite the storm.
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Pilot
A trial episode made to test a TV series' potential.
The show's pilot was so successful that it immediately got a full-season order.
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Pilot
Someone who guides or leads a project or operation.
She was the pilot of the innovative marketing campaign.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a pilot also be a captain?
Yes, in aviation, a senior pilot can also be referred to as a captain.
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What is the main role of a pilot?
A pilot primarily operates and navigates aircraft.
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What qualifications do pilots need?
Pilots need specific flight training, licenses, and certifications.
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Are pilots only found in aviation?
Primarily, but the term also applies to maritime pilots who navigate ships.
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What does a pilot program mean?
It's a preliminary or experimental project to test new ideas.
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What does a captain do on a ship?
A captain commands the ship, overseeing navigation and crew management.
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What's a 'pilot episode'?
It's a trial episode to test a TV series' viability.
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Is being a captain only related to occupations?
No, it can also refer to leaders in sports teams and other groups.
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Do captains need special training?
Yes, captains often require leadership skills and sometimes higher qualifications.
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Are there different types of pilots?
Yes, including commercial, military, and private pilots.
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Can a captain be in charge of an aircraft?
Yes, especially in commercial aviation.
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Can women be pilots and captains?
Absolutely, both roles are open to qualified individuals of any gender.
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Do pilots interact with passengers?
Sometimes, especially in announcements or in emergencies.
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Are captains involved in strategy?
Often, particularly in military and sports contexts.
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Can a pilot be self-employed?
Yes, particularly in private or charter aviation.
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Is the role of a captain the same in all fields?
No, it varies depending on the context, but leadership is a common theme.
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Is the term 'captain' used in business?
Yes, often metaphorically to denote a leader in the industry.
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Does a captain always have a higher rank?
In many contexts, yes, especially in terms of leadership and decision-making.
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What responsibilities does a sports team captain have?
They lead the team, often making strategic decisions.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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