Many Hollywood stars live glamorous lives, but surprisingly, a lot of them are also passionate about flying. For these celebrities, aviation isn’t just about getting from place to place—it’s a serious hobby that demands extensive training and qualifications. Whether it’s flying classic planes or large commercial jets, these actors and musicians have demonstrated their skill as pilots. This showcases a few well-known figures who’ve swapped the red carpet for the flight deck to follow their dream of flying.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise got his pilot’s license in 1994 and has been a passionate aviation fan ever since. He’s well-known for owning a P-51 Mustang fighter plane from World War II, which even made an appearance in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. Beyond that, he’s qualified to fly various aircraft, including commercial jets and helicopters. In fact, he often does his own flying for the exciting action scenes in his movies.
John Travolta
John Travolta is a skilled and licensed pilot, qualified to fly large commercial airplanes. He’s well-known for his work as a spokesperson for Qantas Airways and has the ability to land his private jets right at his home, which is in a community designed for pilots. Over the years, he’s owned impressive aircraft, including Boeing 707 and 727 planes, as well as several Gulfstream jets. He started learning to fly at 15 and earned his pilot’s license in 1974.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is famous for both his love of old airplanes and his willingness to help in emergencies. He started learning to fly in the 1960s, but didn’t officially become a pilot until the mid-1990s. Based in Wyoming, he flies both planes and helicopters, and has often volunteered his flying skills to assist with search and rescue operations in the Teton Range.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie decided she wanted to learn to fly after watching airplanes with her son, Maddox. She received her pilot’s license in 2004 and now owns a Cirrus SR22 aircraft. Jolie uses her flying skills to travel the world for her charity work. She’s often talked about how flying gives her a feeling of freedom and a new way of looking at things.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman always dreamed of flying, and he finally earned his pilot’s license at age 65, building on his experience as an Air Force mechanic. He now owns multiple planes, starting with a Cessna Citation 501 and a Cessna 414, and later adding a long-range Emivest SJ30 business jet. He often flies himself to film locations and appearances all over the country.
Clint Eastwood
For more than 30 years, Clint Eastwood has enjoyed flying helicopters as a way to relax and escape public attention. He frequently uses his Eurocopter AS350 to bypass traffic in Southern California and travel to movie sets. Eastwood finds that flying helps him clear his head and see things from a different angle. He’s remained a skilled pilot and continues to fly even in his later years.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is a dedicated aviation enthusiast and earned his pilot’s license so he could fly classic planes. He famously bought a Supermarine Spitfire, a fighter plane from World War II, and spent considerable time learning how to operate it. He often shares his love of flying with his family, frequently taking his children up in the air with him.
Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank developed a passion for flying while researching her role as Amelia Earhart in the movie ‘Amelia’. Even though she didn’t have to fly for the film, she decided to get her pilot’s license during production. She successfully completed her training and became one of the few female pilots in Hollywood. Swank has said that the complexities of flying are a great way to challenge and stimulate her mind.
Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell has been a pilot for many years and often flies his own turboprop plane, a TBM 700. Like his father, Bing Russell, he’s always loved flying. Russell uses his piloting skills to travel between his homes and work commitments, and he’s said that aviation is a major passion of his, right up there with acting.
Gisele Bündchen
In 2009, while expecting her first child, Gisele Bündchen became a certified helicopter pilot. She took up flying as part of her work with the United Nations Environment Programme, wanting to gain a better understanding of environmental problems from above. She trained in a Robinson R44 helicopter with the help of skilled instructors.
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw is a skilled pilot who often flies himself to concerts in his own plane, a Cirrus SR22. He learned to fly to better balance his demanding tour schedule with spending time with his family. McGraw says that flying is a fulfilling hobby that helps him stay grounded and healthy. He loves sharing his aviation adventures and photos of his plane with his fans online.
Dierks Bentley
I’m a huge Dierks Bentley fan, and it’s amazing to me how dedicated he is to flying! He’s been a pilot for years, starting with a Cessna 182 and now flying a Cessna Citation CJ4. What really impresses me is that he uses his planes to get to concerts all over North America, and it lets him spend so much more time at home with his kids instead of being stuck in airports. He’s really made flying a part of who he is – you even see planes featured in his music videos, which is so cool!
Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid is a licensed pilot qualified to fly multi-engine aircraft using instruments. Over time, he’s owned several planes, including a Cessna Citation business jet. He frequently pilots himself to movie sets and events nationwide. Quaid has discussed the dedication needed to stay proficient and finds flying to be a relaxing and rewarding experience.
Phil McGraw
Dr. Phil, the TV personality, has been a pilot for many years. He regularly flies his own plane for work and personal travel, balancing his aviation hobby with his demanding schedule. He’s been interested in flying since he was young and often talks about how piloting requires intense focus and accuracy.
Kris Kristofferson
Before becoming a famous country singer and actor, Kris Kristofferson was a skilled helicopter pilot. He served in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain, and later worked as a flight instructor and an oil company pilot in the Gulf of Mexico. Kristofferson is well-known for dramatically delivering a demo tape to Johnny Cash by landing a helicopter right on his lawn.
Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson, frontman for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, is also a skilled pilot. He’s well-known for flying the band’s private Boeing 747, nicknamed ‘Ed Force One’, on their tours around the world. Before starting his own aircraft maintenance business, Dickinson worked as a captain for the airline Astraeus. He’s successfully combined his music career with his passion for flying throughout the years.
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a qualified pilot and frequently flies planes as a way to relax and escape the demands of his music career. He got his pilot’s license early on and has been seen flying different types of small aircraft. He says that flying helps him de-stress and provides a unique thrill compared to performing. He regularly practices his flying skills and enjoys the technical challenges of planning and navigating flights.
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2026-02-18 03:25