It is called a pilot episode because it is a test or trial run meant to guide and “launch” a potential TV series. The term comes from broader uses of “pilot” for experimental or guiding versions of a larger project.
Meaning in television
In TV, a pilot episode is a standalone first episode produced to see if a show is worth making into a full series. It is used to test the concept, characters, and tone with executives (and sometimes audiences) before ordering more episodes.
Because many pilots are never turned into full shows, this episode is essentially a proof of concept rather than just “episode 1” of an already approved series.
Why the word “pilot”
The word “pilot” has long been used for trial versions of bigger projects, like pilot studies or pilot programs in research and policy. The TV industry borrowed this sense, since the episode is a small-scale test before committing to an entire season.
There is also a metaphor to aviation: the pilot is the first time a show “takes off” or “airs,” and it sets the direction for the rest of the series, much like a pilot steering a plane’s course.
