Origin of the phrase "(pick your aircraft) driver"

[jointhelocalizer]

Hey all,

Tried doing some research on here and the Google machine, but I didn't get what I was looking for... or at least a credible answer. Just out of curiosity, why is the term "driver" used? Not saying it's weird or wrong or anything, just curious about the origin. My guess is that it was originally used facetiously because "driver" greatly oversimplifies what a pilot does and it eventually became part of the regular aviation vernacular, but that is only a guess.

Also, is there an analogous term for NFOs/other aviation designators and ratings? The only one I have heard was "scope," but that was when someone was saying someone was a "good scope" or the "top scope."

 

[Jim123]

Window licker

 

[scoolbubba]

Depending on the level of value added:

FOs/Wizzos.
Self loading baggage.
600 pounds of fuel left in the truck.
Fucktards.

 

[BarryD]

Tube Slug
No Future Outside
R2D2

 

[robav8r]

Non-Flying Officer

 

[nittany03]

Adult supervision.

 

[FirstPandaOnMars]

why is the term "driver" used?. Not saying it's weird or wrong or anything, just curious about the origin. My guess is that it was originally used facetiously because "driver" greatly oversimplifies what a pilot does... "

Another possibility is that a "driver" in the engineering world is a program used to operate a device (think downloading driver software to use a printer). Similarly, the "driver" in aviation instruction allows the pilot to operate their aircraft.

 

[Treetop Flyer]

Another possibility is that a "driver" in the engineering world is a program used to operate a device (think downloading driver software to use a printer). Similarly, the "driver" in aviation instruction allows the pilot to operate their aircraft.

No

 

[BarryD]

Another possibility is that a "driver" in the engineering world is a program used to operate a device (think downloading driver software to use a printer). Similarly, the "driver" in aviation instruction allows the pilot to operate their aircraft.

#tier1major

 

[Deleted member 67144 scul]

Another possibility is that a "driver" in the engineering software world is a program used to operate a device (think downloading driver software to use a printer). Similarly, the "driver" in aviation instruction allows the pilot to operate their aircraft.

Fixed that for you. The drivers you speak of are software-specific, and tell an OS how to communicate with a device. It's not a general engineering world concept. If you're interested in the software engineering world, it's one of the things I do, so let me know.

 

[BarryD]

This thread was on a fun track, now it's derailed into a Computer Science discussion.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Penquin
Rider
From S-3 NATOPS, Passenger

 

[AllYourBass]

Fixed that for you. The drivers you speak of are software-specific, and tell an OS how to communicate with a device. It's not a general engineering world concept. If you're interested in the software engineering world, it's one of the things I do, so let me know.

 

[sevenhelmet]

Who says "driver"? I don't say it... people in my squadron don't say it... I have heard use of the term "driver", but not in a really long time, and almost exclusively from old F-14 guys.

Have they been rerunning Top Gun on Bravo or something?

We are called "Pilots". It's actually a $5 fine to say "Aircrew" in our (single seat) RR.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Trunk Monkey