TIE pilots served in the Starfighter Corps of the Imperial Navy by piloting the various TIE Series starfighters. Distinguished by all-black flight suits and bulky, fully enclosed, vacuum-sealed helmets, the Galactic Empire at its height produced millions of TIE pilots. 

The TIE pilots formed the elite of the Imperial Navy's Flight Branch. and were referred to as "bucketheads" by Rebel pilots, due to their bulky helmets.