pilot vehicle

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

pilot vehicle (plural pilot vehicles)

1. (transport) A vehicle that ranges ahead of a convoy/train/transport
   1. (Australia, road transport) A vehicle used to warn other road users of the presence of an oversized vehicle/combination
   2. Synonym of pilot engine / pilot locomotive: An engine that runs ahead of a train to clear the route
2. (transport) A lead vehicle
   1. Synonym of pilot engine / pilot locomotive: The leading engine locomotive in a multiple heading train
3. (transport) A tending vehicle
   1. Synonym of pilot engine / pilot locomotive: A yard/station locomotive engine used to shuttle rail cars around a yard or station
4. (production, engineering) A prototype vehicle, initial production vehicle, lead vehicle in a new manufacturing process, first vehicle produced in a new manufactory.
5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pilot,‎ vehicle.