Who is referred to as an aviator?

An aviator is defined as a person who operates an aircraft in flight. This role is essential in aviation, as it encompasses both piloting and navigating various types of aircraft. Aviators can be commercial pilots, military pilots, or private pilots and are trained to handle the complexities of flying, including understanding aerodynamics, navigation, and aircraft systems.

The focus on piloting distinguishes an aviator from other professions in the aviation field, such as those who design, research, or maintain aircraft. For instance, researchers of flight technology and aircraft designers concentrate on the development and innovation of aviation systems, while technicians deal with the operational readiness of the aircraft. These roles are vital to the aviation industry but do not involve flying the aircraft, which is the core responsibility of an aviator.