Whenever I see a Jedi slicing through space in their sleek starfighter, I can’t help but wonder: is that ship truly theirs? Or are starfighters shared resources within the Jedi Order?
We’ve seen Masters and some Knights piloting them, but what about Padawans? Is there a hierarchy, or does the mission dictate who gets one?
Turns out, there’s an interesting system behind how Jedi are assigned their starfighters.
I’ve discovered the secret, and this is exactly what happens.
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Inside the Jedi Temple Has a Hangar and Any Jedi Can Use a Starship if They Need It for a Mission
If you think the Jedi Order assigns starfighters based solely on rank—like giving them exclusively to Jedi Knights or Masters—you might be surprised. The system is far more practical and mission-oriented than it seems.
Take the Bombing of the Jedi Temple Hangar episode from The Clone Wars series as an example. This event highlighted the hangar’s crucial role in Jedi operations.
The hangar bay of the Jedi Temple was stocked with starfighters, all ready to serve any Jedi in need of transport for their missions, regardless of rank.
For further evidence, we can look at a deleted scene from Attack of the Clones, where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu walk through the Temple’s hangar.
In the background, multiple identical starfighters are visible, emphasizing that these ships were a shared resource for the Order.
Additionally, in Tales of the Jedi, episode 4, “The Sith Lord,” we see Count Dooku using the Temple hangar. After a conversation with Yaddle about Qui-Gon Jinn’s death, Dooku heads to the hangar and takes a starfighter to secretly meet with Darth Sidious.
Yaddle follows, further demonstrating that starfighters were accessible to any Jedi—whether a Knight or Master. They would take a starfighter when the mission required it or whenever they wanted.
So Why Is It That No Padawan Has a Starfighter of Their Own?
You might have noticed something interesting: we rarely, if ever, see Padawans piloting their own starfighters.
Why is that? It’s not because they don’t have access to the Jedi Temple hangar or starfighters in general, but it comes down to readiness and responsibility.
One of the clearest examples of this is Ahsoka Tano’s experience in The Clone Wars episode “Storm Over Ryloth.” Ahsoka, despite having her own Delta-7B Jedi Starfighter, disobeys Anakin’s orders and ends up losing most of her squadron in battle.
The responsibility of commanding a starfighter—and by extension, a mission—is something that typically comes with experience, which Padawans are still building.
Another fascinating example comes from the Star Wars: Age of the Republic – Obi-Wan Kenobi comic, specifically issue #1. In this story, Obi-Wan embarks on a mission and initially plans to leave Anakin, still a Padawan, behind.
At Yoda’s insistence, Obi-Wan agrees to bring him along. Anakin, eager as always, asks Obi-Wan, “Could I do some of the flying?” to which Obi-Wan replies, “Perhaps when we’re close to our destination, Anakin.”
Both these examples underline a key point: while Padawans might have the skill to fly a starfighter, their Masters often limit their opportunities for independent piloting to ensure safety and emphasize learning.
The Jedi Order places a strong focus on growth and guidance, meaning Padawans are rarely entrusted with such significant responsibilities until they’re fully prepared.
Every Rank of Jedi Took Their Turn as Starfighter Pilots
Starfighters have been piloted by Jedi of all ranks, each adding their unique touch to the craft they flew into battle.
Anakin Skywalker piloted a yellow and gray Delta-7B starfighter, a customized ship that he used during iconic battles like Bothawui, Ryloth, and Malastare. Unfortunately, his starfighter was destroyed by the Zillo Beast during the Battle of Malastare.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin’s master, flew a Delta-7B as well, maintaining the same color scheme as his previous Delta-7 and relying on his trusty astromech droid, R4-P17.
Other Jedi, like Barriss Offee, were also seen piloting these iconic starfighters. Barriss flew a Delta-7B with a design similar to Obi-Wan’s but with a unique color scheme during the Battle of Umbara.
Saesee Tiin and Adi Gallia piloted ships with hull designs similar to those of their fellow Jedi, but with personalized colors reflecting their individuality.