Skilled pilots who can wreak devastation through their space crafts are crucial to the outcome of a battle in the Star Wars universe. Dodging countless shots from enemy starfighters while simultaneously locking on foes and taking them out requires complete concentration even from Force-sensitive fliers.
Some of Star Wars' most distinguished dogfight warriors have survived numerous fast-paced battles, and, in the cockpits of their favorite flying vessels of destruction, most of them ultimately proved to be unstoppable. Here are the 10 greatest pilots in Star Wars history.
10 Adi Gallia
Another heroic participant in the Clone Wars that had a special affinity for destroying her enemies through starfighters was Adi Gallia. Mace Windu chose Gallia to lead the charge in the space confrontation over Geonosis, in which she took control of other Jedi Knights. Her callsign was Shooting Star, and she successfully completed many missions for the Jedi Council after putting to good use her exceptional piloting skills.
9 Han Solo
Han has frequently displayed undeniable mastery at piloting his legendary ship The Millenium Falcon. The popular scoundrel has successfully made his way through an asteroid field while being chased by Imperial fighters, has entered and escaped the belly of an Exogorth in Empire Strikes Back, and has landed at lightspeed on a planet in The Force Awakens. Perhaps his most important contribution to the Rebel cause was the intervention in the destruction of the first Death Star, saving Luke and allowing him to deliver the decisive blow.
8 Iden Versio
The main character of Star Wars: Battlefront II, Iden Versio has been on both sides of the Galactic conflict, first serving the Empire, and then defecting to the New Republic. Versio piloted a TIE/LN starfighter for the elite Inferno Squad. She is a veteran of several massive battles, notably shooting down the renowned Imperial fighter Gideon Hask—a spectacular feat that she accomplished during the time following the changing of her allegiance.
7 Hera Syndulla
Becoming a superb pilot was something Hera Syndulla had to do, as she was one of the very first warriors who opposed the power of the Galactic Empire. Flying all kinds of ships was within her broad range of abilities: X-wings, B-wings, among others.
Evading TIE fighters as well as escaping through seemingly impossible exits in case of uneven odds was a child's play for her. Starships like Imperial light cruisers and TIE Defender Elites have met their demise under her flawlessly aimed cannon fire.
6 Plo Koon
A lifelong member of the Jedi Council and one of the Order's most skilled pilots, Plo Koon was a general during the Clone Wars and fought on Geonosis and Khalida Shoals. His extraordinary skills in the air led many to consider him to be among the greatest Force-sensitive pilots after Anakin and Saesee Tiin. What gave Plo a significant advantage was that his species' thick hyde allowed him to survive temporarily in space, so, even if he did get shot down up there, he still had decent chances of pulling through.
5 Saesee Tiin
The greatest pilot that fought for the Republic during the Clone Wars—other than Skywalker, of course—Saesee Tiin was so good he actually went on to train many other Jedi Knights in order to help them perfect their flying skills.
Saesee smartly employed the Force during his space missions and was capable to navigate his fighters through hyperspace jumps without computers. Telekinesis allowed him to redirect and slow down missiles and projectiles.
4 Poe Dameron
The Resistance's best pilot, Poe Dameron flew a modified X-Wing called "The Black One." Apart from his obvious talent, Poe stood out with his unyielding bravery. Highly knowledgable about spaceship mechanics, he was fully able to fly anything and even adapt to crafts that he hadn't flown before. His pinpoint accuracy meant that Dameron never wasted ammunition, taking out his foes with as few shots as possible.
3 Wedge Antilles
Considered to be one of the Rebel Alliance's most-accomplished heroes, Wedge Antilles was a fighter pilot of tremendous skill, having survived some of the most dangerous and crucial space missions alongside his friend and co-founder of the elite Rogue Squadron, Luke Skywalker.
His participation in the battle of Yavin, the battle of Hoth, and the space battle of Endor, resulted in the destruction of two Death Stars and numerous downed Imperial fighters. Antilles could fly all kinds of vehicles and went on to become a General.
2 Luke Skywalker
Apart from his other formidable gifts and skills, Luke was a superb pilot—yet another talent that he inherited from his father. Flying an X-wing that later on grew into a legend in and of itself, he took down the first Death Star, while evading the attacks of Vader himself. The Rebellion hero could also land a Star Destroyer on Coruscant solely by using the Force. Furthermore, Luke has proved his piloting proficiency with many other types of starships throughout his long and selfless life.
1 Anakin Skywalker
Anakin was well-known as the best of the best in the air and space. His flying skills gave him a reputation as an unmatched starfighter pilot even before he became a Jedi Knight. He employed a number of destructive techniques that covered him with glory throughout the Clone Wars.
Anakin was frequently cutting off enemy ships' escape routes by opening fire before the dogfights began, finishing off foes through lethal chasing, and hunting down instincts while easily shaking off direct locks on target. His flying superiority resumed during his time as Darth Vader, too; he ended up taking down a horrifying number of Rebellion heroes.