We see them on our phones, TVs and in the news almost every day… but did you know these British celebrities could fly? Celebrity pilots in the UK are more common than you think, and who knows, you might be sat next to one of them next time you’re having a coffee at your aero club!
Lord Alan Sugar
The Apprentice’s Lord Sugar has over 30 years piloting experience. Like Angelina Jolie, he flies a Cirrus SR22 and has even flown around with his 15-year-old grandson.
Lord Alan Sugar taking his grandson flying. One of the many perks of having a pilot licence!
Carol Vorderman MBE RAFVR
Former Countdown co-host Carol Vorderman gained her private pilot licence at Staverton airport Gloucester in 2013 and owns a Diamond DA 42 that she has nicknamed ‘Mildred’. Carol is also an ambassador for the RAF Cadets in London!
Carol Vorderman looks very excited to go flying!
David Gilmour CBE
Pink Floyd’s own David Gilmour got his pilot’s licence in 1997 and owns a large collection of historical aircraft, including supersonic jet fighters and several old biplanes. An avgeek’s dream!
David Gilmour’s plane collection is definitely an aviation enthusiasts dream!
Sir David Jason
Only Fools and Horses actor and comedian Sir David Jason got his helicopter pilot licence in May 2005. Also an enthusiastic glider pilot at the London Gliding Club, Jason helped launched the RAF air cadet’s new flight simulator at the RAF base in Syerston last year.
Sir David Jason sits in the cockpit of a Spitfire at The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.
Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard said that he got his pilot licence because when he was younger he was scared of flying and used to throw up on planes. Well, that is one way to cure a fear of flying… He also said it only took him 5 weeks of intense work to get his PPL!
Eddie Izzard decided to tackle his fear of flying head-on…by getting his pilot’s licence!
James Blunt
James’ father was a colonel in the Army Air Corps and military helicopter pilot and instilled in him a love of flying. Blunt said in an interview, “I can fly! I got my pilot’s licence aged 16 before I could legally drive a car.”
Some teenagers dream of the day they can finally drive a car, but Blunt had other intentions!
James May
After training at White Waltham Airfield, Grand Tour co-host James May got his pilot’s licence in 2006. James often speaks of his love for aviation and even used to own his own plane with a very interesting registration…
James’ registration matching his catchphrase “oh c**k!”
Sir Michael Gambon CBE
Actor Michael Gambon is said to love flying, and his brother is a professional pilot. Once, the actor Terence Rigby confessed to him that he was scared of flying, so Michael insisted that he could cure him by taking him up in his two-seater. Everything went smoothly but then just as Michael was beginning his descent, he pretended to have a heart attack. He slumped to one side and collapsed over the controls, with his tongue drooling out. What a joker!
Michael Gambon took a rather different approach to see if he could cure his friend’s fear…
Noel Edmonds
TV presenter Noel Edmonds is said to have trained on a Bell 47 and to have owned a Bell 20, single-engined Squirrel and an Augusta A109! Apparently, he mainly flew between his house in Dorset and Northolt.
We can only imagine the wonderful views from a helicopter flight around the south coast!
Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond, another co-host of The Grand Tour, passed his helicopter licence in March 2012. He now owns a second-hand £150,000 Robinson R44 which he keeps at his home and uses to occasionally fly to work. So, will be expecting Jeremy Clarkson to start flying any time soon…?
Hammond is not just a petrol head but the second of the three Grand Tour hosts to get his pilot’s licence
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