LIFESTYLE
THESE CELEBS KNOW HOW TO FLY
Do you know that some celebs know how to fly? Not only do these celebrities have thriving careers, but they focus on other sports and become excellent at it. Yes, flying a plane involves skills; it also takes absolute commitment to pull it through.
If you aspire to become a pilot, it doesn’t matter how rich and famous you are, you have to put the hours of pilot lessons in. You heard right – there’s no letting off those lessons!
These top shot celebrities managed to log flight hours, participate in written exams and take medical tests so that they could qualify as pilots. What is more interesting is the fact they were doing all this while pursuing wildly successful careers.
To obtain a private pilot license, you must do a minimum of 40 hours in the airplane. At least 20 of the hours must be with an instructor. All of these celebrities have accomplished this, and more. They’ve put in the 40 hours – 20 hours of flying with an instructor.
The 10 hours of solo flight, and the five hours of cross-country solo flying.
These celebs have done their 10-night landings, three landings at a controlled airport, and at least three hours of basic instrument flying. They’ve written the exam and obtained an aviation medical certificate. All the requirements set forth by the FAA, they have met.
They also passed a check ride with a designated pilot examiner (DPE), which proves that they are safe and competent pilots.
Below are some of the celeb pilots
1. Tom Cruise
Reportedly obtaining his pilot’s certificate in 1994, Tom Cruise has been spotted flying a helicopter in London.
The actor recently bought a P-51 Mustang, and according to People Magazine, he carried a photo of a P-51 around with him as a child. Cruise also owns a Gulfstream IV.
2. John Travolta
He is possibly the most famous of the famous pilots who began flying at the age of 22. He owns several planes, including a former Qantas Boeing 707 and a Challenger 601. He also has a 7,500-foot runway on his property in Florida. Travolta has been quoted saying that flying is his “second profession after acting.” The legendary actor is type-rated in 11 different airplanes.
3. Angelina Jolie
43-year-old actress and activist, Jolie has been flying her planes since 2004. According to her, she began flying because her son, Maddox, had an interest in aircraft. (People)
Jolie obtained her pilot’s license in December 2004. Also, in early 2005, she bought one of the safest single-engine planes. Her Cirrus SR22-G2 was gotten at a base price of $334,700. Guess what? The plane came outfitted with a special parachute to carry the plane to safety during an emergency.
In late 2005, the actress had her instructor join her in Calgary, Canada to continue her flying lessons. Talk about commitment!
4. Harrison Ford
At 52, Harrison Ford began flying. He had worked with the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilot’s Association. A while ago, Ford began volunteering as a rescue pilot.
The actor has a reputation for getting out of plane crashes unhurt. His helicopter and vintage WWII Ryan PT-22 Recruit were both crushed by him. Other planes Ford owns are the Citation and Waco aircraft.
5. Brad Pitt
We know you never knew he is also an accomplished pilot. More so, he has mastered the World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire aircraft. Brad Pitt obviously is fascinated with vintage planes. He claims to have been inspired by Fury, the WWII action film he shot in the UK in 2013.
According to The Daily Mail, Brad Pitt was certified at the Boultbee Flight Academy in Oxford training school. This is where he learned how to work the Spitfire’s admirable controls.
6. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman joined the Air Force as a mechanic, and he didn’t learn to fly until he was 65 years old. According to Fox News, Freeman owns a Cessna 414 and a Citation 501.
The actor also contributes his famous voice to marketing materials for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
7. Gisele Bundchen
Didn’t you know supermodels have hidden talents? G. Bundchen started flying and became a pilot in 2009.
If you thought you can’t have a glowing career and still pursue your passion, these celebrities would prove you wrong. They are winging both and doing it so gracefully.