Single word for driving/flying tank, submarine, and plane

Question

I have the training to fly thirteen different aircraft, two types of tanks, and a nuclear submarine.

Fly doesn't really work with tanks or submarines. What's the best way to properly state this sentence? Is there a good single word to replace fly, or do we have to say something like...

I have the training to fly thirteen different aircraft, drive two types of tanks, and [whatever] a nuclear submarine.

@stevesliva worthwhile posting that as an answer. Just make sure to quote a dictionary when you do so. You'll get my +1, at least. — Dan Bron, Jul 01 '15 at 18:00
@stevesliva: I considered pilot; but the tank changed my mind. — Tushar Raj, Jul 01 '15 at 18:05
@TusharRaj - I didn't think it was stretching the word too far if applying it to a list. For tanks alone, yeah. — stevesliva, Jul 01 '15 at 19:33

score 16 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 01 '15 at 18:06

16

I would suggest using pilot as a verb

verb (pilots, piloting, piloted)
1 Act as a pilot of (an aircraft or ship).

"He pilots 13 different types of vehicles, from airplanes to tanks and submarines."

answered Jul 01 '15 at 18:06

beyondtheteal

261

With respect to aircraft, obviously, but also submarines, pilot (noun) is also exactly what the person is: e.g. http://www.insidejobs.com/careers/submarine-pilot – Avon Jul 01 '15 at 18:14
As for land vehicles, at least in Formula 1 the drivers are (sometimes) referred to as pilots – maybe because they are flying low :) – oerkelens Jul 02 '15 at 07:40

score 12 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

12

handle or operate

Drive or control (a vehicle): _(Oxford)

he was going too fast and couldn’t handle the car

From there you've got to learn to handle your ship and get to grips with the most difficult part - docking with the space station.

Synonyms: control, drive, steer, operate, manoeuvre, manipulate

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

1

answered Jul 01 '15 at 17:46

Tushar Raj

21,025

I'd say operate sounds better in this context – Kevin Jul 02 '15 at 01:03
My first thought was "pilot" but that's not normal to say for a land vehicle. But "operate" works for all of them. – TecBrat Jul 02 '15 at 02:40

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 02 '15 at 08:23

0

Considering the changes to language over the centuries, each introduction of a word was possibly a new meaning, or a formation or borrowing from Greek or Latin. Except for common every day speech, I wouldn't hesitate to create new words; ancients had an easy time at this.

Can't find any Greek words that entered European languages but as for one from Latin, perhaps conduct.

answered Jul 02 '15 at 08:23

empedocle

101

Hello, empedocle, and thanks for visiting English Language & Usage. The question you are responding to asks for a single word that applies to "driving/flying tank, submarine, and plane." But your response, instead of suggesting a suitable word, discusses where English words come from. This is ultimately a comment and not an answer. Please try to limit your answer submissions to responses that directly answer posters' questions. Thanks again! – Sven Yargs Jul 02 '15 at 08:55

score -1 · Answer 4 · edited Jul 01 '15 at 19:22

-1

Operate.

One operates machinery of all kinds. I believe it works with any type of vehicle. So, "I have the training to operate 13 different aircraft, two types of tanks, and a nuclear submarine."

Merriam-Webster:

operate
verb op·er·ate \ˈä-pə-ˌrāt, ˈä-ˌprāt\

to function or behave in a proper or particular way
to use and control (something)
to have control of (something, such as a business, department, program, etc.)

edited Jul 01 '15 at 19:22

choster

43,403

answered Jul 01 '15 at 19:12

mrlukens

24

1

This is a duplicate of Tushar Raj's answer. Please be more careful in the future – Dan Bron Jul 01 '15 at 20:17

Single word for driving/flying tank, submarine, and plane

4 Answers4