20 Top Celebrity Pilots

#1. Jimmy Buffett

Singer and restaurant owner Jimmy Buffet¹ had always wanted to learn how to fly. Thanks to his success as a musician, he was able to make his dream a reality. Today, he owns six planes and flies himself to his various destinations. 

#2. Tom Cruise

The Top Gun movie pilot is also a pilot in real life. He discovered his love of flying while filming the movie and buzzing the air traffic control. He has logged so much flight time that he can fly helicopters and commercial airplanes. Even though he cannot fly in a fighter jet in real life, he does own his own luxury plane. He also flew the helicopter himself in the Mission Impossible movies. 

#3. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

Sully became a popular celebrity pilot in 2009 after he safely landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in New York after both engines failed due to bird strikes. Everyone on board survived. 

#4. Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart is the most popular female pilot of all time. She was a pioneer in aviation and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Part of what has made her famous still to this day is her mysterious disappearance on July 2, 1937, as she tried to be the first woman to fly around the world. 

#5. Hillary Swank

When Hillary Swank found out she would be playing Amelia Earhart, she wanted to make the character as believable as possible. To do that, she took to the skies to learn how to fly an aircraft.

#6. John Travolta

Between filming the movies Carrie and Saturday Night Fever, and the TV show Welcome Back, Kotter, John Travolta earned his pilot license at 22 and fulfilled his dream of flying. He even has his own personal airport at his home, where he keeps his five airplanes.

#7. Gisele Bundchen

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen decided she wanted to fly an airplane. Her inspiration was because often when she was flown to shoots, there was just one pilot in the plane. As such, she wanted to know how to fly just in case something went wrong. So, she became a certified pilot in 2009. Surprisingly, she earned her pilot's license when she was seven months pregnant. 

#8. James Franco

After playing a World War I fighter pilot, James Franco decided to get his pilot’s license. He used his free time in between acting, directing, and writing to log his air time and become a certified pilot in 2005. 

#9. Enrique Iglesias

Pop icon Enrique Iglesias bought his first plane before he even had become a certified pilot and obtained his pilot’s license. His explanation was that he wanted to learn how to fly the plane he wanted to own. When visiting Key Largo, FL, you just may see him taking off or landing as he frequently flies to his house in the Florida Keys. 

#10. Prince Harry

Prince Harry obtained his pilot’s license in 2008 before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps to become a pilot and fly in a fighter jet. He also knows how to fly Apache helicopters. 

#11. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie learned how to fly in 2004 after being inspired as she and her son Maddox would go to the airfield to watch planes land and take off. She decided she could fly a plane and got her license.

#12. Brad Pitt

One of Brad Pitt’s hobbies is vintage aircraft and fighter jets. So, instead of only being able to ride in fighter jets and vintage airplanes, he decided he should get his license. Since he was investing in these planes, he wanted to be able to pilot them himself. 

#13. Zach Braff

The Scrubs actor was afraid of flying before he decided to tackle his fear head-on and get his pilot’s license. By learning about flight instruments and how planes worked, he was able to overcome his fear. Now, he enjoys flying, whether he is flying one of his planes or flying commercial. 

#14. Morgan Freeman

Actor and narrator Morgan Freeman has had a love of flying since his days in the Air Force when he was a mechanic. Mr. Freeman learned how to fly when he was 65. So,  it just goes to prove you are never too old to enjoy airplane flying experiences. 

#15. Tim McGraw

Country singer and husband of Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, is not only a certified pilot but a Cirrus pilot. He has a customized SR22 that he enjoys flying when he wants to unwind and relax. And wife Faith is never forgotten as he has her name written on one of the windows. 

#16. Harrison Ford

The Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark actor finally made his dream of flying a jet plane a reality when he got his pilot’s license when he was 52. Since then, he has worked with the Aviation Owners and Pilots Association and has volunteered as a rescue pilot. 

#17. The Red Baron

The Red Baron was a real-life famous World War I fighter pilot. His real name was Manfred von Richtofen. He took down 80 pilots during the war and was well-known for his brightly red painted airplane. Many people are also familiar with the Red Baron from the Peanuts comic strip and cartoons, where the Red Baron is Snoopy's arch-nemesis. 

#18. Erich Hartmann

Erich Hartmann was a German World War II fighter pilot. He became famous for shooting down 352 aircraft during the war. He logged a total of 1,404 missions, never was shot down, and never lost a wingman. 

#19. Carol Vorderman

British media celebrity and game show host Carol Vorderman has always loved flying and dreamed of flying around the world solo. In 2013, she took time off work to earn her pilot’s license and pursue her dream. In 2014, she was appointed the first female Ambassador to the British Royal Air Force Air Cadets and with the rank of Honorary Group Captain.