The Ultimate Ranking of the 15 Greatest Star Wars Pilots You Need to Know!

In the expansive Star Wars universe, it’s easy to focus on the Jedi and Sith clashes with lightsabers and the Force as the main battles. However, this galaxy is vast, and there are numerous other battlefronts. Given that the Star Wars narrative unfolds across a whole galaxy, characters must navigate their spaceships to journey between planets or engage in space combat. This necessitates mastering the art of piloting.

In the artistic realm of starship navigation within the Star Wars universe, certain characters stand out as exceptional due to their innate abilities and accumulated knowledge. Some have risen to heroic status thanks to their exceptional piloting skills, particularly during intense space battles known as dogfights. Let’s examine the most skilled pilots that the Star Wars galaxy has produced.

15. Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren, formerly Ben Solo, carries the genetics of two legendary galactic pilots – his grandfather Anakin Skywalker and father Han Solo. This heritage makes him an instinctive pilot when it comes to navigating spacecraft, much like he was in mastering the Force. Although we don’t see him often piloting a starfighter in Star Wars, his ancestry speaks volumes about his innate flying skills.

Apart from his fearsome reputation within the Star Wars universe during the First Order era, he is exceptionally skilled as a pilot, a talent enhanced by his strong connection to the Force. This affinity enables him to exhibit an unusually intuitive flying style. Additionally, his unparalleled strength in the Force makes him one of the most formidable pilots we’ve encountered.

14. Rey

As I uncover my family ties to the enigmatic Emperor Palpatine, it’s clear that my inherent strength in the Force and innate talent are not mere coincidences. The ability to wield a lightsaber and harness my Force powers swiftly, without extensive training, feels as if these skills were destined for me. Similarly, my piloting prowess seems to be an innate gift, requiring little time to master.

Despite never having flown off Jakku in a spaceship before, Rey showed an innate talent for handling the Millennium Falcon, a vessel not known for its ease of control due to its age. In fact, she demonstrated such skill in piloting the ship that Han Solo was taken aback by her expertise in ship maintenance and her deftness behind the controls.

13. Chewbacca

It’s important to remember that while Han Solo is commonly associated with piloting the Millennium Falcon, Chewbacca has also been an accomplished pilot for quite some time. As Han Solo’s trusted companion, Chewbacca honed his flying skills significantly, particularly during the events of the sequel trilogy when he skillfully navigated the Falcon through a crystal maze while being pursued by the First Order.

Indeed, his extensive background in smuggling over the years undeniably enhanced Chewbacca’s piloting abilities. This makes him not only an exceptional friend and copilot but also a remarkably skilled pilot in his own right. It takes a highly skilled pilot to manage the Millennium Falcon effectively, given its age and outdated technology.

12. Adi Gallia

Individuals with a strong connection to the Force often demonstrate an innate skill for flying starfighters, such as Adi Gallia, who served as a Jedi Master during the era of the Clone Wars. In fact, she was highly regarded among her fellow Jedi for her exceptional piloting abilities during the Clone Wars.

In the Star Wars: Clone Wars series, Mace Windu entrusted Adi Gallia with commanding the aerial battle against the Separatists on Geonosis. Throughout this space engagement, she effectively commanded numerous fellow Jedi pilots. This assignment highlights the exceptional flying abilities of Adi Gallia, even among other highly capable Jedi during the Clone Wars.

11. Iden Versio

Absolutely! Star Wars: Battlefront II falls under the category of canonical stories. This implies that Iden Versio is recognized as a canon character, which is why she’s included in this roster. And let me tell you, her flying abilities are nothing short of extraordinary.

Originally serving as a top-tier pilot for the Galactic Empire’s Inferno Squad, Iden Versio later switched allegiances to the New Republic. Her exceptional piloting abilities earned her the role not just as any member, but as the leader of this elite starfighter squad. This demonstrates the high level of skill she possessed, and throughout her story, she participated in numerous battles.

10. Luthen Rael

Although Luthen Rael hasn’t appeared frequently, there are whispers suggesting he could be a Jedi, given his strong intuition. However, this is unconfirmed. What we do know for certain is that in the instances where we’ve encountered him in Andor, his piloting skills have shone through brilliantly. Episode 11 of Andor served as an impressive demonstration of his potential flying prowess.

Although his Haulcraft wasn’t designed for combat, Luthen surprisingly managed to outwit two TIE fighters and elude the tractor beam of an Imperial starship. Considering its heavy modifications and the presence of a sophisticated AI droid on board, he displayed remarkable composure and skill to navigate through that perilous situation successfully.

9. Din Djarin

In the Star Wars series The Mandalorian, the Razor Crest wasn’t renowned for its speed and agility, but rather it was the exceptional piloting skills of the protagonist, Din Djarin, that made the unassuming assault ship stand out. This demonstrates that he is not only an impressive Mandalorian warrior but also a skilled pilot in his own right.

Absolutely, instead of his larger Razor Crest, Din Djarin opted for a smaller N-1 Starfighter, which offered greater speed. Remarkably, even though this starfighter seemed incredibly swift, possibly the swiftest vessel we’ve encountered so far, The Mandalorian managed to pilot and maneuver it with relative ease.

8. Hera Syndulla

As captain of the Ghost vessel featured in Star Wars: Rebels, Hera Syndulla demonstrated exceptional piloting skills, making her the top choice for the Rebel alliance at that time. Notably, each member of the Ghost crew had their unique talents, but Hera particularly excelled in mastering the art of flying a spaceship. This skill allowed her to navigate through Imperial territories on multiple occasions throughout the series.

In her role as a pilot, Hera demonstrated an impressive knack for evading the Empire when it seemed unlikely they could outrun Imperial forces. Moreover, her fearlessness was evident as she took down Imperial cruisers and TIE fighters while piloting the Ghost, showcasing her bravery against larger and swifter vessels.

7. Saesee Tiin

As a devoted cinephile, I’d like to share some insights about Saesee Tiin, a Jedi whose skills were not just confined to lightsaber combat during the Clone Wars era. He was renowned among the Jedi Order for his exceptional piloting abilities – so much so that he was chosen to train other Jedi in the mastery of starship navigation. This recognition speaks volumes about his unparalleled prowess as a pilot, a fact that earned him immense respect within the Jedi Order.

In the role as a pilot, Saesee earned a reputation for proficiently wielding the Force during various space missions. Remarkably, he mastered using Force powers to deflect missiles and other projectiles from within his starfighter’s cockpit – a feat requiring remarkable skill.

6. Plo Koon

In the prequel films, Plo Koon wasn’t extensively featured, but Star Wars: Clone Wars gave him opportunities to shine. Notably, Plo is worth mentioning because he was frequently seen as second only to Anakin Skywalker in flying abilities.

Despite being older than Skywalker, Plo Koon proved himself to be just as skilled a pilot as Anakin, with no one else able to match his speed when they flew their own starfighters. However, his exceptional piloting abilities weren’t enough to save him during Order 66, as the clones shot him from behind before he could respond.

5. Wedge Antilles

In comparison to Luke, Leia, and Han, who were widely celebrated in the Star Wars galaxy, Wedge Antilles was one of the less recognized heroes of the Rebellion. However, his skill as a pilot during numerous battles against the Empire was unquestionable. The fact that he survived conflicts where many other skilled pilots perished is proof of his exceptional abilities.

During the course of the original Star Wars trilogy, Wedge Antilles played a significant role as a co-founder of the Rogue Squadron, engaging in numerous battles. Notably, he was among the heroes who contributed to the demolition of Death Star II during the events depicted in Return of the Jedi.

4. Han Solo

Han Solo, often recognized more as a rogue pilot, never failed to demonstrate his proficiency in flight. Flying the Millennium Falcon, he proved exceptionally adept at navigating a supposedly outdated vessel. The fact that this antiquated ship gained a reputation for being the fastest in the galaxy under Han’s command is a testament to his flying abilities with an old, seemingly worthless craft.

Indeed, Han’s piloting skills were honed during his smuggling days since he had to master the art of dodging numerous adversaries and hazards while carrying out his runs. While he might have some good fortune on his side, being one of the best at eluding some of the galaxy’s most infamous criminals and bounty hunters isn’t solely about luck; it also requires exceptional skill and experience.

3. Poe Dameron

In the era of the sequel trilogy, Poe Dameron stood out as the top-notch pilot among the Resistance. Whenever high-stakes missions requiring exceptional pilots were at hand, it was always Poe they trusted. Consequently, he was tasked with a crucial mission – delivering the map revealing Luke Skywalker’s location to the Resistance in Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

Throughout the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Poe Dameron consistently demonstrated a blend of agility, courage, and impetuosity in his piloting abilities, skillfully navigating past various enemy starfighters on multiple occasions. Known for his frugal ammunition use, he was strategic in taking down opponents with minimal shots fired. Additionally, he proved exceptionally adept at mastering unfamiliar starfighters swiftly.

2. Luke Skywalker

Beyond just being genetically predisposed to the Force, Luke Skywalker possessed exceptional flying abilities that made him a starfighter prodigy from his very first X-Wing cockpit experience. Over time, he grew into an unparalleled Rebel pilot, skillfully integrating his innate talents with the Force into his combat tactics.

Luke’s talent for dodging attacks from various enemy vessels and starfighters was truly remarkable. However, it was truly telling when he managed to impress Darth Vader with his flying abilities – this underscores that he is indeed a superior pilot. Keep in mind, not many pilots can captivate the attention of the most skilled pilot the Star Wars universe has ever known.

1. Anakin Skywalker

From the moment I first witnessed him as a young lad on Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker’s exceptional piloting skills were evident. He was a force to be reckoned with in pod racing, eventually emerging victorious despite an initial setback at the start. Later, when he took control of an N1 Starfighter during the climax of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, it was as if the ship and he were one. With a natural ease, he targeted and destroyed the droid control ships just beyond Naboo’s borders.

Over time, Anakin’s flying abilities flourished and earned him remarkable esteem among the Jedi. During the Clone Wars, he was unparalleled amongst the Jedi Order as a pilot, which is why he and Obi-Wan were frequently paired for missions that demanded his exceptional ship handling skills. Later, as Darth Vader, he utilized these same piloting skills, notably while piloting his TIE fighter during the Battle of Yavin.

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2025-05-24 02:49