The Pilot Major (Spanish: Piloto Mayor) or Pilot-Major of Spain was an important official of the Casa de Contratación, a crown agency of the Spanish Empire, with specific responsibilities in mapmaking and the licensing of nautical pilots.
[1] On 6 August 1508, the Spanish government ordered the establishment of the Padrón Real as a template for the official map used by every Spanish ship in the 16th century to avoid confusion from a multitude of sailing charts.
[2] Pilots returning to Spain were required to report new geographical information to the Pilot Major, who, in twice-monthly consultations with his majesty's cartographers, would decide whether to include it in the Padrón Real, later called the Padrón General.
[2][3]: 72, 278 The Pilot Major was eventually given permission to sell copies of the map for his own benefit.
"[1] Holders of the office include: In 1519, a new position was created, Cartographer (Cartógrafo), to assume some of the responsibilities of the Pilot Major.