TV and Movie Actors at the Controls

[Dan Jones]

I was watching some bits on YouTube the other night and believe I saw Robert Conrad taxiing both a Corsair and an SNJ for “Blacksheep”, and perhaps Robert Shaw taxiing a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain. I always kinda wondered how much that really happened in the movie and tv business? Peter O’Toole fires up a Duck and taxis away in Murphy’s War. I’m guessing there must be some amusing anecdotes out there.

[mike furline]

I remember Robert Conrad talking about getting his pilot's license when Black Sheep was on. I don't know if he did or not, but he did taxi the Corsairs from time to time.

[Dan Jones]

I think George Peppard did some of his own flying in the Blue Max…

[CAPFlyer]

In the case of Robert Conrad, he was well known for having gotten his Private Pilot certificate in preparation for the Baa Baa Black Sheep role. He had apparently expressed interest prior to people who knew him, but the role as "Pappy" apparently was the "final straw" that got him to finally do it. From there, Robert, and many of the Black Sheep cast joined him in wanting to be as involved as possible in the filming, including getting checked out to start and taxi the aircraft involved. I don't know that Robert ever got checked out in the Corsair, but I do believe there is footage of him flying a T-6/SNJ around, though I can't find it anymore.

By the 1980s, actors who had their license were basically banned from actually exercising any of their privileges during filming, even if on film due to insurance concerns. Some actors have enough sway to basically tell the insurance company to pound sand, but unless you're Tom Cruise or John Travolta, the chances of you flying in your own film are about nil (yes, not even Harrison Ford got to fly in most of his films).

[JohnB]

Circa 1979-80, my brother in law routinely rented a 182 from a FBO at Van Nuys.
In the parking lot was a large, top of the line RV.
He told me Conrad lived in it while learning to fly.
He was recently divorced, so maybe he just wanted to live there.

This was after Black Sheep Squadron finished, so perhaps he took lessons after the series ended.
As previously mentioned, it's possible the insurance for the series prohibited private flying (or learning to fly) while filming was underway.

At any rate, there was a nice autographed photo of Conrad behind the rental counter.

I recall him taxing the Corsair on TV and was impressed. He knew how to start and stop it.

And Kenneth Tobey learned the starting procedure for the Bell 47 for his Whirlybirds series in the late '50s. I'm sure the cyclic was (friction) locked for those scenes to prevent any mishaps.

[Paul Stroud]

Robert Shaw certainly taxied a Spitfire in 'Battle of Britain' , although he accidentally put one on it's nose, as seen on this video at about 6 min 10 seconds.

[Saville]

I once saw a video on TV where Conrad showed an interviewer (I forget who) how to start up the corsair. Conrad stood on the wing and the interviewer followed instructions and started the thing up.

I was impressed.

Last edited by Saville on Tue Jan 02, 2024 5:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Ruberneck]

The Bridges at Toko-Ri star William Holden reportedly learned to taxi a jet plane on the flight deck.

[Lynn Allen]

In the case of Robert Conrad, he was well known for having gotten his Private Pilot certificate in preparation for the Baa Baa Black Sheep role. He had apparently expressed interest prior to people who knew him, but the role as "Pappy" apparently was the "final straw" that got him to finally do it. From there, Robert, and many of the Black Sheep cast joined him in wanting to be as involved as possible in the filming, including getting checked out to start and taxi the aircraft involved. I don't know that Robert ever got checked out in the Corsair, but I do believe there is footage of him flying a T-6/SNJ around, though I can't find it anymore.

By the 1980s, actors who had their license were basically banned from actually exercising any of their privileges during filming, even if on film due to insurance concerns. Some actors have enough sway to basically tell the insurance company to pound sand, but unless you're Tom Cruise or John Travolta, the chances of you flying in your own film are about nil (yes, not even Harrison Ford got to fly in most of his films).

John Travolta has only a private licenses as his insurance company won't let have anything else. He came through the school house a few years back for the Challenger 601 and did his training in the middle of the night. The IP's ate well as the food was brought in.

[JohnB]

Lynn Allen

About 20 years ago, someone at the AA museum just south of DFW told me a similar tale. Travolta would go to the AA training center for 707 training.
They apparently had the only 707 simulator still in use.

[p51buff]

People like to trash talk Travolta, but he based his planes at our FBO at KSTS when he filmed Phenomenon and I never heard a bad word about him or any of his crew. They were always gracious, he signed autographs but preferred to talk airplanes. One pilot even said Travolta broke off his approach so the guy could finish his checkride.


David Carradine learned to taxi a Pitts for Cloud Dancer.

[CAPFlyer]

John Travolta has only a private licenses as his insurance company won't let have anything else. He came through the school house a few years back for the Challenger 601 and did his training in the middle of the night. The IP's ate well as the food was brought in.

Honestly, for him I don't see why he'd want anything more than PPL anyway. He's got his instrument and multi, he's SIC rated in his birds, and as he doesn't plan to get paid for any of his flying, why get the Commercial ticket beyond "window dressing"?

I always wondered why some of the bigger names like Jimmy Buffett ever got their Commercial other than just for the heck of it. It served them no purpose as their flying was all Part 91 and most of them didn't PIC (Jimmy got PIC on this Falcon 50 and 2000 eventually, but still normally flew right seat).

[Dan Jones]

John Travolta has only a private licenses as his insurance company won't let have anything else. He came through the school house a few years back for the Challenger 601 and did his training in the middle of the night. The IP's ate well as the food was brought in.

Honestly, for him I don't see why he'd want anything more than PPL anyway. He's got his instrument and multi, he's SIC rated in his birds, and as he doesn't plan to get paid for any of his flying, why get the Commercial ticket beyond "window dressing"?

I always wondered why some of the bigger names like Jimmy Buffett ever got their Commercial other than just for the heck of it. It served them no purpose as their flying was all Part 91 and most of them didn't PIC (Jimmy got PIC on this Falcon 50 and 2000 eventually, but still normally flew right seat).

The extra training is always good, and good on them for putting the effort into it that they did and do. Additional training is always worthwhile.

[JohnB]

My guess on why people would get a commercial...
If I remember my helicopter IP correctly, you have to demonstrate a much higher level of skill/precision for a comm vs. private ticket.

If I were flying a high performance aircraft (or a low performance aircraft that demands high skills) even if it's just friends and family in the back, I'd sure want higher skills.
In a high performance aircraft...especially a jet where things happen quickly...extra skills would be welcome.
And you might even get a break on your insurance.

Also, some of the pros here may have the answer...
I could see where a commercial might be a prerequisite for a jet type rating course.
If for no other reason than give the instructors confidence that the student won't be wasting their time by being a complete idiot or low time pilot who came into money and buys a jet.

[Hooligan2]

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson attained an ATPL and flew with several UK Airlines and owns/flies a replica Triplane for the Great War Display Team.