Pilot (Home and Away)

Pilot is the first episode of the Australian soap opera Home and Away. It premiered on Network Seven on 17 January 1988. The episode was written by Bevan Lee, directed by Riccardo Pellizzeri, and executively produced by Alan Bateman. Home and Away and the pilot were developed for the Seven Network and Bateman had been planning it for three years prior. The premise for the episode and show was inspired by a chance stop Bateman made in a New South Wales coastal town. He witnessed local opposition against a foster home from problematic city children. Numerous actors auditioned for the roles featured in the episode and cast details were announced on 4 July 1987. Production and filming of the pilot commenced on 6 July 1987 at Palm Beach.

The episode focuses on the Fletcher family, consisting of Tom Fletcher (Roger Oakley) and Pippa Fletcher (Vanessa Downing) and their foster children. They move from their busy city life to the coastal town of Summer Bay to run the local caravan park. Upon their arrival they encounter the town's local residents as they attempt to fit into the community. Bobby Simpson's (Nicolle Dickson) storyline, featuring her wayward behaviour and eventual fostering by the Fletchers forms much of the story. Actress Carol Willesee was originally hired to play the pivotal role of Pippa but quit after two days of filming. Bateman revealed that Willesee failed to recognise the commitment needed to an ongoing role and Pippa was recast to Downing.

The episode was later broadcast in Ireland and United Kingdom, where network executives wanted it rival the success of the fellow Australian soap opera, Neighbours. The pilot episode received positive reviews from critics of the genre. The pilot episode was also revealed on home media in the UK via VHS releases and later featured on the Home and Away: Romances DVD release.