Prototype vs. Pilot — What's the Difference?

A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming.

One who operates or is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight.

An original type, form, or instance serving as a basis or standard

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.

An original, full-scale, and usually working model of a new product or new version of an existing product.

The helmsman of a ship.

A typical example of a class or category

One who guides or directs a course of action for others.

To make a prototype of (a product).

The part of a tool, device, or machine that leads or guides the whole.

An original form or object which is a basis for other forms or objects (particularly manufactured items), or for its generalizations and models.

A pilot light, as in a stove.

An early sample or model built to test a concept or process.

A television program produced as a prototype of a series being considered for adoption by a network.

(computing) A declaration of a function that specifies the name, return type, and parameters, but none of the body or actual code.

To serve as the pilot of (a plane, for example).

(semantics) An instance of a category or a concept that combines its most representative attributes.

To steer or control the course of

(motorsport) A type of race car, a racing sports car not based on a production car. A 4-wheeled cockpit-seating car built especially for racing on sports car circuits, that does not use the silhouette related to a consumer road car.

Serving as a tentative model for future experiment or development

(transitive) To create a prototype of.

Serving or leading as guide.

An original or model after which anything is copied; the pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied, cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype.

A person who steers a ship, a helmsman.

A standard or typical example;

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.

A guide book for maritime navigation.

An instrument for detecting the compass error.

A pilot vehicle.

A person authorised to drive such a vehicle during an escort.

A guide or escort through an unknown or dangerous area.

Something serving as a test or trial.

(mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.

(aviation) A person who is in charge of the controls of an aircraft.

(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.

(rail transport) A cowcatcher.

(motorsport) A driver.

A pilot light.

One who flies a kite.

A short plug, sometimes made interchangeable, at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool.

Made or used as a test or demonstration of capability.

Used to control or activate another device.

Being a vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle/combination.

(transitive) To control (an aircraft or watercraft).

(transitive) To guide (a vessel) through coastal waters.

(transitive) To test or have a preliminary trial of (an idea, a new product, etc.)

To serve as the leading locomotive on a double-headed train.

One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a steersman.

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.

Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course.

An instrument for detecting the compass error.

The cowcatcher of a locomotive.

One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an airplane, balloon, or other flying machine.

A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.

The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.

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.

To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is dangerous.

Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or difficulties.

To fly, or act as pilot of (an aircraft); to operate (an airplane).

Someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight

A person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters going into or out of a harbor

A program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to attract sponsors

An original model on which something is patterned

Small auxiliary gas burner that provides a flame to ignite a larger gas burner

An inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track

Fly a plane

Act as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyance;