Noun
test pilot (plural test pilots)
(aviation) An aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers.
On a standard space shuttle crew, two of the astronauts have a test pilot background - the commander and the pilot. Sally Ride
You know, being a test pilot isn't always the healthiest business in the world. Alan Shepard
But when I was selected, after my very first tour of squadron duty, to become one of the youngest candidates for the test pilot school, I began to realize, maybe you are a little bit better. Alan Shepard
When a test pilot comes off a flight, there is typically another pilot who is going to take it up, and he believes in the debriefing. You don't keep something to yourself. Wally Schirra
Each test pilot I know considers him, or herself, now that there are women, to be the very best. It's very demeaning to step down the ladder once in a while. Wally Schirra
Astronauts working for the government will always need to be either pilots or mission specialists. Those who want to be pilots should have military experience - ideally, a test pilot background. Buzz Aldrin