Didn't 'pilot' come to English via the French? ~ dxb

Perhaps, but not to aviation. It was already in English when it came to aviation.

AHD4 doesn't list a date for its entry into English. MWO says 1530. ~ Faldage

Well, it must've been that guy Leonardo and his sketches.

Anyway I guess it was the French who first applied it to the aviateur!