welcome to YT!! What a cutie you have & I love the name Pilot.
I think consistency is the biggest thing. How much have you read about crate training?
Here is some good reading:
American Dog Trainers Network -- How To Successfully Crate Train Your Puppy All About Dogs!...Crate Training Your Puppy or Adult Dog How to Crate Train your dog or puppy
Perhaps for the days he is along longer you could use an x-pen, thereby giving Pilot room to move around, and room for the pee pad, but less opportunity tp miss the pad