Who is the pilot of Halo Infinite: Echo-216?

The first new character the player will meet in Halo Infinite was the pilot of the Pelican Echo-216. He takes the Master Chief on board and restores the armor’s functionality, which sets the game in motion. He will be the player’s reluctant companion throughout campaign, but who is the pilot of Echo-216, and what is his real name?

(Spoilers below)

What is the pilot’s name in Halo Infinite?

Pilot of Echo-216 whose name is Fernando Esparza. Given how often the game focuses on his struggles, fans might think he’s an important person, but he’s not.

We don’t learn much about who the pilot is, except that he’s not even a Pelican pilot. Apparently, he stole the Pelican he was flying in during Atriox’s attack on UNSC Infinity. Aside from the fact that he has a wife and daughter, we don’t know much about the pilot’s past. Even though he stole Echo-216, we can assume that he is not a criminal. He’s familiar enough with the Pelican to drive and repair it, so it’s likely he’s a technician. Perhaps he was tasked with maintaining the Pelicans and happened to be near one when Banished attacked.

It’s possible that the pilot has a hidden past, but it’s more likely that he’s just a vehicle for players to relate to the story in Halo Infinite. He is a human with no boost, no rank or glory and just wants to go home. He’s not particularly patriotic and shows mostly respect (and a bit of fear) towards Master Chief. However, his determination strengthens throughout the game and he is able to overcome his fear to do his duty.

Since Halo Infinite is a 10-year project for 343 Industries, we can expect to see more pilots as Heads continues to unravel. Zeta Halo’s secret.