Here's why:
* The vowel "i" is followed by a consonant ("l") and another consonant ("t"). This is the classic pattern for a short vowel sound.
* The "i" in "pilot" is pronounced like the "i" in "pit", "hit", or "fit". This short "i" sound is distinct from the long "i" sound in words like "pie", "lie", or "tie".
Let me know if you'd like to explore other vowel sounds!