Piloter

Piloter is a French verb meaning to pilot, to operate, or to steer a vehicle or system. It is used for physical movement—such as piloting an aircraft, a boat, or a drone—as well as for directing processes, projects, or policies. In management and technology contexts, to piloter a program or a project is to guide its development, monitor progress, and make decisions to achieve objectives.

Etymology and related terms: the verb derives from the noun pilote (pilot), itself borrowed into French from the English or Italian word for pilot, with the abstract noun pilotage referring to the act of piloting or the skill of piloting. The related noun pilotage is commonly used to denote navigation and control of an aircraft or a vessel, and in broader use to describe steering a project or strategy.

Conjugation and grammar: piloter is a regular -er verb in French. Its typical present tense forms are: je pilote, tu pilotes, il/elle pilote, nous pilotons, vous pilotez, ils/elles pilotent. The verb also appears in compound tenses with avoir (par example, j’ai piloter? more commonly, j’ai piloté for the past). As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object: elle pilote l’avion; ils piloteront le projet.

Usage notes: piloter emphasizes active control and direction, not simply transportation. It often implies ongoing oversight, adjustment, and decision-making. In aviation and maritime contexts, it refers to the operation of the vehicle. In corporate or public administration, it denotes leadership and governance of activities or transformations.

See also: pilote, pilotage, pilote automatique, navigation, management, project piloting.