Separate pilot with superior skills boards jet (5,3)

'separate pilot' is the definition.
'space out' can be an answer for 'separate' (thesaurus). I'm not sure about the 'pilot' bit.

'superior skills boards jet' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'superior' could be 'ace' (similar in meaning) and 'ace' is found within the answer.
'jet' could be 'spout' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'spout' is found in the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?