Abstract: A pilot coater for applying a coating on a moving web sample is formed by a backup roll, a transfer roll and a coating flow metering system metering coating flow onto the transfer roll. A pneumatic actuating system holds the transfer roll in a ready position until a sensor detects a specific portion of the web is moving into a nip found between the backing roll and transfer roll and triggers movement of the transfer roll and coating metering system to move to a coating position with the transfer roll pressed onto the paper supported on the backing roll. After a preselected period of time, the transfer roll is moved from the paper to terminate the coating operation.