pilotled

Pilotled is a rarely used adjective describing something that is led by pilots or carried out as a pilot program with pilots at the helm. The form combines pilot and led; in British English the spelling "pilotled" with double l is common, while the hyphenated "pilot-led" is more usual in American practice. It is typically used in descriptive writing about project governance or research methodologies in aviation contexts.

In usage, a pilotled initiative places pilots in lead roles during planning, testing, and evaluation, often with input from flight operations, safety, and training departments. The aim is to ensure practical feasibility and risk awareness from frontline personnel before a full-scale rollout. It contrasts with engineering-led or manager-led approaches by foregrounding operational insight from active pilots.

Because the term is infrequent, its meaning can be ambiguous; readers may confuse it with the noun "pilot" or with the more common phrase "pilot project." When used, it is advisable to define the term on first use and to indicate the preferred spelling within a document to avoid confusion.

See also: pilot project, pilot-led, participatory leadership, aviation safety research.