Some celebrities have learned how to fly planes themselves. They underwent proper training and earned real pilot licenses, not just for roles on screen but also for personal reasons. A few fly regularly, others only when they have the time, but all of them are comfortable behind the controls in a way that surprises most people.
Tom Cruise Took the Controls for Real
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After getting his pilot’s license in 1994, he went on to earn several advanced ratings and has flown everything from helicopters to WWII fighter planes. For Top Gun: Maverick, he flew a P-51 Mustang that he personally owns. He even performed real aerial sequences in American Made, pushing his aviation skills into his film work.
Angelina Jolie Flies with Purpose
Credit: ITV
Angelina Jolie became a licensed pilot in 2004 and didn’t stop there. She went on to earn an instrument rating and later qualified to fly a multi-engine aircraft. She owns a Cirrus SR22 and has used it on humanitarian trips. Jolie has flown to refugee camps and remote locations.
Harrison Ford Uses His License for Search-and-Rescue
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Harrison Ford became a regular presence in the skies over Idaho after earning his license in the 1990s. He owns multiple aircraft, including a de Havilland Beaver and a Cessna Citation. Beyond leisure flying, he’s assisted with real-life rescue missions, once helping locate a lost hiker using his helicopter. He’s also been honored for promoting aviation safety.
John Travolta Has His Own Runway
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John Travolta is so serious about flying that he built a runway at his Florida home. He holds a commercial pilot license and can fly everything from Gulfstreams to Boeing 707s. Over the years, he’s logged thousands of flight hours and even served as a goodwill ambassador for Qantas Airways.
Morgan Freeman Took Flight Later in Life
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Morgan Freeman had always wanted to fly, but didn’t pursue it until he was 65. After years as an Air Force mechanic, he finally got his private pilot’s license and later added a helicopter rating. He flies a SyberJet SJ30 and once used it to promote STEM education by visiting schools across Mississippi and speaking with students about aviation careers.
Kurt Russell Has Over 5,000 Hours in the Air
Credit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Kurt Russell started flying in the 1980s and eventually earned his multi-engine and instrument ratings. With over 5,000 flight hours, he’s flown planes like the Beechcraft Bonanza and Piaggio Avanti. He once donated his classic de Havilland Beaver to a humanitarian aviation nonprofit.
Jimmy Buffett Collected Amphibious Planes
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Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett held multiple certifications and flew everything from a Cessna Caravan to vintage seaplanes like the Grumman Albatross. He even wrote songs inspired by aviation, including Treetop Flyer. Buffett also used his planes for hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Patrick Dempsey Traded the Track for the Sky
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Known for racing and acting, Patrick Dempsey also earned his wings in 2013. He flies turboprops and business jets, including the TBM 850 and Pilatus PC-12. Beyond personal flights, he’s supported his cancer support foundation by auctioning off private flights with him as pilot. His aircraft ownership includes the ICON A5.
Brad Pitt Collected Vintage Aircraft
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
After earning his license in the 1990s, Brad Pitt developed an interest in historical planes. His collection reportedly includes a Supermarine Spitfire, a plane famous from WWII. He also owns a Cirrus SR22 and has attended air shows, including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, to share his interest in aviation.
Dr. Phil Flies to Unwind
Credit: X
Dr. Phil McGraw picked up flying as a personal hobby. He earned his license in the 1990s and has often said flying helps him clear his mind. While he doesn’t fly professionally, he uses private aviation for both work and pleasure. It’s one of his favorite ways to disconnect.
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