Imperial Starfighter Pilot
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Imperial Starfighter Pilot
General information
Historical information
Date reorganized
Other information
- "Idiot."
"That's fighter pilots for you. Twice the mouth because half the brain." - ―Two Imperials, regarding TIE pilots[16]
Imperial Starfighter Pilots,[17] also known asTIE fighter pilots[1] orTIE pilots,[18] were an elite class within themilitary of theGalactic Empire. Theypiloted theTIE fighter series of starfighters, a line that included theTIE/ln space superiority starfighter, which was one of the Empire's most recognizable symbols of power, theTIE/sa bomber andTIE/IN interceptor.[19] There were two nicknames for TIE pilots: the vac-heads, who operated inspace for the Empire'sImperial Navy, and the ground-hogs, who operated inplanetaryatmosphere for theImperial Army. Because the vac-heads had better public recognition throughpropaganda posters and theHoloNet News reports, the ground-hogs were often resentful of them. The rivalry between ground-hogs and vac-heads was so intense that most Imperial flight bases had separatebars for the two groups, with the notable exception of theBright Jewel Oversector Flight Base.[2]
The precision and streamlined design of the TIE fighter was a source of pride for those pilots, who prided themselves for usually not needingdeflector shields orhyperdrives, which they viewed as tools for the cowardly. Since TIE fighters were identical and interchangeable, TIE pilots might never fly the same ship twice and, as a result, rarely developed emotional ties to their craft.[1] Nonetheless, they tended to be very protective of their vessel of the day, and loved to push around lower-rankedstormtroopers. Very dedicated, TIE pilots were willing to surrender their lives for the greater glory of the Empire'sNew Order.[20] For this reason most TIE pilots had a life expectancy of less than a year.[21]
TIE fighter pilots could also engage in surface combat, withSquad Five participating in askirmish onNar Shaddaa.[22]
Training[]
- "The rebels are a desperate group of extremists. They'll fight with any ship, using any means necessary to undermine our authority. That is why orders must be followed without question. Insubordination like yours will get you and your wingman killed."
- ―Vult Skerris, lecturing TIE pilot cadet "Ria Talla"[8]
A TIE pilot in the cockpit of their fighter.
Graduates from prestigious flight academies across the galaxy underwent rigorous testing to become TIE pilots.[23] Many TIE pilots received their training atImperial Academies spread across the galaxy. Some of the best came out of theRoyal Imperial Academy onCoruscant or theSkystrike Academy onMontross, but other notable academies were located onRaithal,Arkanis,Carida andCorulag.[19][8] In addition to the use ofsimulator pods,cadets would spend hundreds of flight hours piloting actual TIE fighters to hone their skills. Beyond piloting, cadets also receiving instruction in other fields including mathematics, science, hand-to-hand combat, and military strategy.[19]
The final phase of testing often occurred onboard a larger battleship, such as aStar Destroyer. This was to expose cadets to realistic and relevant surroundings. During theGalactic Civil War, TIE cadets often underwent literal trials by fire, plunged into combat situations where to excel was to survive.[23] Of all the cadets who underwent theImperial pilot training program, ninety percent never graduated.[19][1] As a consequence, those who did tended to be both proud and arrogant.[23]
As the conflict with the rebellion heated up, TIE fighter pilots were thrown into battle as trails by fire.
TIE pilots underwent intense psychological conditioning that put completion of the mission above all other considerations, including their own life. Their training emphasized close coordination with their fellow pilots, as teamwork was considered the best way to accomplish their mission.[19] However, actually aiding their fellow pilots in an emergency was their lowest priority unless there was nothing else to do, since it was preferable to bring their full force against enemy fighters. All pilots were also expected to be able to repair and maintain all single- and dual-pilot craft.[14] This included reassembling anion engine, reprograming theirtargeting computer, and constructing adistress beacon out of wreckage.[24]
Besides graduating from one of the academies, TIE pilots could be volunteers from one of the other organizations in the Imperial government, so long as they were certified pilots or astrogators.[19]Imperial Special Forces troopers, such as the members ofInferno Squad, wore gear similar to Imperial Starfighter Pilots. Indeed,CommanderIden Versio and her compatriots in Inferno Squad were equipped with enhanced TIE fighters.[25]
History[]
The Imperial Starfighter Pilot class seen throughout much of the Imperial Era[26] succeeded the earlierconscription trooper pilots[27] andclone trooper pilots. The Empire had inherited theclone trooper-basedmilitary of theGalactic Republic that came before but worked to phase out those forces[28] underProject War-Mantle.[29] Although the Empire continued to make use of clones while they were useful,[28]TK stormtroopers were introduced under War-Mantle as recruited soldiers who would replace the clones. Just as the citizen-recruited TK troopers paved the way[29] for the finalized Imperial stormtrooper,[26] the conscription trooper pilots[27] were introduced as a new pilot class[30] formed out of recruited citizens instead of cloned individuals and set the stage for the later Imperial Starfighter Pilot class.[27] Eventually, most clone troopers were phased out of active service due to their fast aging,[31][32] leaving the ranks of Imperial Starfighter Pilots to be formed out of recruited citizens trained in military academies.[8]
Equipment[]
Baron Rudor, with red stripes going down his helmet and sides, and white streaks below the eyes
TIE fighter pilots wore a self-contained, insulatedblackTIE pilot flight suit with pockets and zip-front, a reinforcedhelmet reminiscent of the stormtrooper design, and chest armor featuring an emergency atmospheric unit and a life support pack.[19][23] Theflight suit was pressurized and constructed of energy-shielded fabric.[19][33] The atmosphericcontrol box on their flight suit was attached to two flexiblegas transfer tubes that plugged into their vacuum-sealedhelmet. The helmet was equipped with polarized lens and ship-linked displays and communications.[19][1] On TIE pilot belts, to their right of their belt-buckle was a comlink/transponder in a shockproof case. TIE pilots also wore positive-gravity pressureboots and insulatedgauntlets.[23]Imperial Special Forces troopers wore uniforms similar in design to TIE fighter pilots.[25]
The gear ofAT-AT pilots was similar in design to that of Imperial Starfighter Pilots.[34] TIE pilots could be equipped with anE-11 medium blaster rifle[22] or ablaster pistol.[35] Some helmets had white stripes below theeyes,[26] and some elite pilots such asBaronValen Rudor andCaptainVult Skerris had red or yellow stripes going down the middle of their helmets and sides.[8][36] TheImperial test pilots who flew experimental craft forSienar Fleet Systems[37] were known as "Sienar test pilots"[38] and donned their own variant of the TIE pilot uniform, featuring a unique helmet and partially red clothing.[37] TIE pilot jumpsuits were taken by theUprising for its stolen TIEs, creating theUprising TIE pilot class.[39]
Behind the scenes[]
Ultimate Star Wars first identified TIE fighter pilots as "human" in2015.[4]Star Wars Helmet Collection 6, released in2016, stated that they were "various, mostly human," implying the existence of non-human pilots.[40] However,Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition, released in2019, stated "human" again.[41] This is also stated in later sources, such asStar Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy,[42] and the Character Encyclopedias.[43][44][45] AsStar Wars Helmet Collection magazines do not explicitly credit theLucasfilm Story Group, then information fromUltimate Star Wars andUltimate Star Wars, New Edition, which both have Story Group credits, take precedence.
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
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Sources[]
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Notes and references[]
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- Related categories:
- Imperial Navy pilots of the Galactic Empire
- Related Categories:
- Imperial Navy pilots of the Galactic Empire