A first orbit cadet is a pilot with little or no flight experience. The term is used commonly amongst Colonial Warriors and officers.
After passing through the asteroid dust barrier at the edge of the Cyrannus galaxy, Adama notes how he felt like a first orbit cadet. Later, Starbuck attempts to get another private dining room for himself and Athena (as he was already having dinner with Cassiopeia, who was briefly gone) by saying that a sanitation ship, piloted by a first orbit cadet, could be seen through the window (TOS: "The Long Patrol").
Notes
- In the Re-imagined Series, there are "rooks", which are trained but inexperienced pilots, and "nuggets", which are untrained pilot candidates.