Use of the term `` ace '' in military aviation began in World War I ( 1914 â `` 18 ) . French newspapers called Adolphe Pegoud , as l'as ( French for `` ace '' ) after he became the first pilot to shoot down five German aircraft . Use of the term ace in military aviation circles began in World War I ( 1914 â `` 18 ) , when French newspapers described Adolphe Pegoud , as l'as ( French for `` the ace '' ) after he became the first pilot to down five German aircraft .