Confront fine fighter pilot (4)
I believe the answer is:
face
'confront' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'fine fighter pilot' is the wordplay.
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation e.g. condition of old coins, books).
'fighter pilot' becomes 'ace' (an ace pilot).
'f'+'ace'='FACE'
(Other definitions for face that I've seen before include "Come up against" , "Watch's dial" , "celebrity" , "Confront - mug (slang)" , "'Cheeks, mouth, eyes etc (4)'" .)