Dexterity, Trained Only.
This skill encompasses two categories, each treated as a separate skill and described below.
Check: Typical piloting tasks don’t require checks. Checks are required during combat, for special manoeuvres, or in other extreme circumstances, or when the pilot wants to attempt something outside the normal parameters of the vehicle or mount. When flying, the character can attempt simple manoeuvres and stunts (actions in which the pilot attempts to do something complex very quickly or in a limited space).
Action: A Pilot check is a move action.
Special: A character can take 10 when making a Pilot check, but can’t take 20.
A character with the
Vehicle Expert feat gets a +2 bonus on all Pilot (aircraft) checks.
There is no penalty for operating a general-purpose fixed-wing aircraft. Other types of aircraft (dirigibles, heavy aircraft, helicopters, hovercraft, jet fighters, and spacecraft) require the corresponding Air Vehicle Operation feat, or else the character takes a –4 penalty on Drive checks.
Pilot (aerial mount)
A character uses this skill to direct an aerial mount, usually a winged creature of some sort (though some aerial mounts fly using other methods, such as telekinesis).
Pilot (aircraft)
Use this skill to fly a general-purpose fixed-wing aircraft. Each vehicle’s description includes a manoeuvre modifier that applies to Pilot checks made by the operator of the vehicle.
