Sometimes, when you attempt to operate a spacecraft in Starfield, you’ll get a message that says, “You are not authorized to pilot this ship.” This is a frustrating issue to run into after securing (or sneaking aboard) a vessel and making your way to the cockpit. Unfortunately, the error message about not having authorization to pilot a ship doesn’t give you any clues on how to fix the problem. However, the solution is more simple than you’d think.
How to fix the “You are not authorized to pilot this ship” error in Starfield
In Starfield, the “You are not authorized to pilot this ship” message just means you don’t have enough points in the Piloting skill to fly the vessel. You’ll see this error when you try to pilot a Class B or C ship without unlocking Ranks 3 and 4 of the Piloting skill.
If you want to board and capture more ships in Starfield, you must focus on raising your Piloting skill rank. Here’s the requirement for each level:
- Piloting Rank 1
- Challenge: None
- Reward: Can utilize ship thrusters.
- Piloting Rank 2
- Challenge: Destroy 5 ships.
- Reward: Improved turn rate and maneuverability.
- Piloting Rank 3
- Challenge: Eliminate 15 ships.
- Reward: Unlock Class B piloting.
- Piloting Rank 4
- Challenge: Destroy 30 ships.
- Reward: Unlock Class C piloting.
Fortunately, the prerequisites for each rank are easy to accomplish. You can just hit up mission boards in Sol and New Atlantis and take on any task that requires you to destroy ships. Just make sure you invest your skill points each time you complete a challenge because ship kills don’t roll over into the next challenge.
Once you reach Piloting Rank 4, you won’t have to worry about seeing the “You are not authorized to pilot this ship” message again. There will be some vessels that are locked down that you can’t fly, no matter what your skill levels are. Still, you’ll be able to commandeer almost any that you encounter in space in procedurally-generated planetary zones.
Starfield “You are not authorized to pilot this ship” FAQ
A: When you see this error in Starfield, it indicates that you don’t have the required Piloting skill rank to fly that particular vessel. This typically happens when you attempt to operate a Class B or C ship without having unlocked the necessary Ranks in the Piloting skill.
A: To avoid the “You are not authorized to pilot this ship” error, you need to raise your Piloting skill rank. Completing challenges like destroying a specific number of ships can help you advance through the ranks. For instance, to unlock Class B piloting, you must reach Rank 3, which involves eliminating 15 ships. Mission boards in locations like Sol and New Atlantis offer tasks where you can destroy ships to meet these challenges.
A: After you attain Piloting Rank 4, you’ll largely avoid the “You are not authorized to pilot this ship” message. However, while you’ll be able to commandeer most ships you encounter in space, some vessels remain locked and can’t be flown regardless of your skill levels.
