Buzz
Science fiction remains one of the most adored genres in entertainment. Nearly every tale in this realm features spaceships, which naturally require skilled pilots. These pilots often take center stage, becoming key characters in the narrative (after all, how else would the story progress?). Whether they're highly trained, incredibly lucky, or just plain cocky, these daring aviators capture our hearts and imaginations.
From dodging asteroids to navigating vast galaxies, these pilots command everything from nimble starfighters to colossal floating cities. Some are born with an innate talent for flying, while others hone their skills through years of practice. Regardless of their journey to the cockpit, their exploits have etched their names into the annals of sci-fi lore. Here, we celebrate the ten greatest pilots in the history of science fiction.
10. Hikaru Sulu: Star Trek
Fans of the genre won't be surprised to see a Starfleet officer on this list. Hikaru Sulu, a beloved character from the iconic Star Trek series, has been a steady presence since the 1960s. Joining the Enterprise in 2265, Sulu quickly rose to become a senior officer and the ship's primary helmsman by 2266. His expertise in navigating the Enterprise through uncharted space has made him a legend.
Sulu’s expertise in piloting became even more crucial as his career advanced. He took control of the Enterprise during its intense confrontation with Khan on the hijacked Reliant. Later, when the crew commandeered an unfamiliar Klingon vessel to rescue Earth from the whale probe, Sulu skillfully navigated the ship through a time warp around the sun. His name is synonymous with exceptional spacefaring skills and remains a top choice when discussing legendary pilots.
9. Han Solo: Star Wars
Unsurprisingly, Han Solo from Star Wars is one of the most iconic figures that come to mind when imagining a space pilot. Known for his innate talent, Han famously outmaneuvered an Imperial Fleet led by Darth Vader by expertly navigating an asteroid field. His early days on Corellia, where he stole speeders, helped him refine his piloting abilities. He later served briefly in the Imperial Navy before turning to smuggling.
As a smuggler, Han piloted the Millennium Falcon through the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, a record that remains unmatched. Alongside his loyal Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca, Han’s daring escapades and unparalleled piloting skills have cemented his legacy in a galaxy far, far away.
8. Steven Hiller: Independence Day
Independence Day is a timeless sci-fi masterpiece, standing out as a rare standalone film in the genre. Among its memorable characters is Will Smith’s Captain Steven Hiller, a fighter pilot whose skills rival those of TopGun graduates. Hiller demonstrates unmatched precision as he navigates the Grand Canyon’s intricate terrain with ease. His quick thinking and tactical instincts shine when he uses his jet’s parachute to outmaneuver and crash an enemy craft.
Later, Hiller achieves another milestone by becoming the first human to pilot an alien spacecraft. With only visual cues and a single failed attempt, he successfully flies the ship into space and infiltrates the Mothership. In a heart-pounding escape, Hiller has just 30 seconds to evade capture as the Mothership’s defenses close in. Though his story ends before the sequel, his heroic actions on Independence Day secure his place among the greatest pilots in sci-fi history.
7. Rocket (Raccoon): Guardians of the Galaxy
Before their cinematic debut, the Guardians of the Galaxy were already iconic comic book figures. While the films humorously show Star-Lord and Rocket battling for control of their ship mid-flight, the comics make it clear: Rocket is the superior pilot. His genetically engineered abilities and sharp instincts set him apart, making him the undisputed ace of the team.
In the second volume of the movie series, Rocket reveals that his genetic programming includes advanced piloting skills, a gift from the High Evolutionary, a powerful alien dedicated to genetic experimentation. While Star-Lord boasts more experience, Rocket’s engineered expertise makes him the better pilot. In fact, Rocket is not only superior to Quill but is also recognized as the best pilot in the entire Marvel Universe.
6. Tom Paris: Star Trek (Voyager)
Tom Paris is arguably one of the most underappreciated pilots in science fiction history. As the primary flight controller of the Intrepid Class USS Voyager, he navigated the ship and its crew through 70,000 light-years from the Delta Quadrant back to the Alpha Quadrant. His exceptional skills have saved the Voyager from some of the most perilous situations ever encountered by a starship. Paris is widely regarded as one of Starfleet’s finest pilots, having led the elite Delta Force Task Force, constructed a trans-warp engine, and even piloted through time.
Despite early career challenges that led to his imprisonment, Paris achieved remarkable feats in Starfleet. He became the first human to safely reach warp ten, crossing the transwarp threshold. While simulations showed no adverse effects, the actual flight caused him to mutate into an amphibious being unable to process oxygen. Nevertheless, Paris remains one of the most skilled and daring pilots in the Star Trek universe.
5. Hoban “Wash” Washburne: Firefly
The cancellation of Firefly after just one season remains a major disappointment for sci-fi fans. However, the series was later followed by the film Serenity, named after the ship central to the story. Among the ship’s eclectic crew is Wash, the talented and witty pilot who plays a crucial role in their adventures.
Wash, the skilled pilot of the Serenity, navigated the ship through countless perilous situations during their adventures. He demonstrated remarkable precision by keeping the ship steady alongside a moving train during a high-stakes heist. One of his most daring feats was executing a “Crazy Ivan” maneuver, flipping the Serenity’s engines to evade a Reaver ship. In the chaos of a battle between the Reavers and the Alliance Fleet, Wash expertly piloted the damaged ship to safety, ensuring the crew’s survival. His final words, “I’m a leaf on the wind… Watch how I soar,” during Serenity’s most tragic moment, cemented his legacy as one of sci-fi’s greatest pilots.
4. Hera Syndulla: Star Wars (Rebels/Ahsoka)
While Hera Syndulla first appeared in The Bad Batch, she is most celebrated as Spectre One, leader of Ghost Team and Phoenix Squadron in Rebels and later in Ahsoka. Her exceptional piloting skills are unmatched, earning her the attention of Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the most formidable villains in the Star Wars universe. Hera’s talent is so extraordinary that it often overshadows her other accomplishments.
Hera was chosen to test the B-Wing fighter prototype, a ship designed to break blockades. She holds the unique distinction of being the only pilot to outmaneuver Darth Vader in his TIE Advanced fighter. When Vader set a trap for the Rebels, Hera’s quick thinking and expert flying turned the tables, ensnaring Vader in his own snare. Her skills are nothing short of legendary.
3. Leela: Futurama
Turanga Leela is the sole pilot of the Planetary Express delivery ship in Futurama. Her passion for flying is clear from the very first episode, where she leaves her role as a Fate Assignment Officer to pursue her dream. Despite having only one eye, which affects her depth perception, Leela has repeatedly outshone some of the galaxy’s top pilots. With her unwavering determination and fierce professionalism, she stands out as a stark contrast to the rest of the crew’s antics.
Leela has navigated through treacherous asteroid fields and skirted the edges of black holes, proving that no cosmic challenge is too great for her. Even though Futurama is a comedy, the series is filled with life-threatening scenarios that Leela and her crew narrowly escape. Beyond her piloting skills, she is also the team’s most skilled hand-to-hand combatant, known for her signature “Hi-Ya!” kicks. Despite the show’s humorous tone, Leela has earned her place as one of the greatest pilots in sci-fi history.
2. Alex Rogan: The Last Starfighter
The Last Starfighter is a beloved 1980s sci-fi film centered on Alex Rogan, a teenager obsessed with arcade games. In the story, Alex achieves the highest score on a cabinet game called “The Last Starfighter,” which is secretly a recruitment tool for interstellar pilots. Soon after, he is recruited by an alien disguised as a human to join an intergalactic battle.
Initially overwhelmed, Alex wants no part in the alien conflict. However, when he learns that Earth and his hometown are also at risk, he steps up. Alex proves to be a natural talent as a Gunstar pilot, teaming up with his co-pilot to defeat the entire Ko-Dan Armada using the Death-Blossom maneuver. His innate piloting skills shine throughout the film, making The Last Starfighter not just a coming-of-age tale but also a celebration of his extraordinary abilities.
1. Kara “Starbuck” Thrace: Battlestar Galactica
The 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica stands as one of the most ambitious in television history. This sci-fi drama explored the complex backstories and emotional struggles of its characters. In this version, Starbuck underwent a gender swap, becoming Kara Thrace, with “Starbuck” serving as her call sign. Thrace’s exceptional skills are evident when she prevents two out of three nuclear missiles from hitting Galactica during the first Cylon attack. She also saves Lee (call sign Apollo) with a daring maneuver in the Battle of Ragnar Anchorage.
Despite a knee injury, Thrace repairs a downed Cylon Raider on an uninhabitable moon and brings it back to Galactica, providing the Fleet with crucial Cylon technology. She further demonstrates her prowess by showcasing the stealth capabilities of the new Blackbird fighter during its maiden flight.
After completing her mission, Thrace transmits reconnaissance photos to Pegasus, earning high praise from Admiral Cain. Impressed by her performance, Cain promotes her to Captain and appoints her as Pegasus CAG. Near the end of the colonists’ journey to Earth, Starbuck appears to sacrifice herself in her Viper. However, she mysteriously returns months later, solidifying her legendary status as an “Angel” within the colonists’ mythology.
