From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Pilot \Pi"lot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piloted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Piloting.] [Cf. F. piloter.]
1. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is
dangerous.
[1913 Webster]
2. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or
difficulties. "The art of piloting a state." --Berkeley.
[1913 Webster]
3. (A["e]ronautics) To fly, or act as pilot of (an aircraft);
to operate (an airplane).
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
piloting
n 1: the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
[syn: navigation, pilotage, piloting]
2: the occupation of a pilot [syn: piloting, pilotage]