Voorpilots

Voorpilots is a Dutch term that lacks a single formal definition and is used informally in different industries to refer to initial or leading flight-related activities, often before a broader program or production phase. The word combines voor (before/early) with pilot (pilot), and its exact meaning can vary by context.

In aviation, voorpilots commonly describes individuals or actions involved in early flight testing of new aircraft or systems. This can include test flights of prototype aircraft, evaluation of performance and handling, and collection of data that informs further development and certification processes. In this sense, a voorpilot is tied to exploratory work that precedes full-scale production or service entry and is typically conducted under close cooperation with manufacturers and regulatory authorities.

In media and entertainment, the term is sometimes used to refer to pilot material shown early to stakeholders, such as a pilot episode created to pitch a series or a concept demonstration used to secure funding. Here, voorpilot activity centers on proving viability, tone, and audience appeal before committing to a complete production.

Beyond aviation and media, vergelijkbare uses appear in other fields, including drone testing, research demonstrations, and demonstration projects where a small-scale or preliminary flight or trial is conducted to validate concepts or technologies.

Etymology and usage vary, and the term is not standardized across industries. See also: pilot, test flight, pilot episode, demonstration project.