8 celebrities you didn’t know are licensed pilots: Prince Harry and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez just won an aviation award – but Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie and John Travolta can all fly too

At the event, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, a seasoned helicopter pilot and founder of aerial filming company Black Ops Aviation, also earned the prestigious accolade alongside Prince Harry.

While netizens continue the debate on whether Prince Harry’s award was undeserved, here are seven celebrities you probably didn’t know are licensed pilots.

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1. Tom Cruise

Top Gun star Tom Cruise owns several aircraft and is licensed to fly all of them. Photo: Tribune News Service

Known for being an adrenaline junkie, the Top Gun star often performs his own stunts for his action-packed films.

Tom Cruise performs his own stunts, including airborne ones, in his action films. Photo: Paramount Pictures/Tribune News Service

It’s no surprise that Cruise not only owns several aircraft, but is licensed to pilot them all. He obtained his flying license in 1994 and can pilot helicopters, fighter jets, private planes and even commercial flights, per Sportskeeda.

2. Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford has had a number of flying mishaps. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Ford is an avid pilot who got his flying licence in the 1960s, well before he became an actor. The Indiana Jones star has also been named a “Living Legend of Aviation” in the past, although unfortunately, he is better known for his aeroplane mishaps and near-fatal incidents that almost cost him his licence, per ABC News.

Ford’s latest near-fatal incident was in 2020, when the 81-year-old actor accidentally crossed a runway at Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles, per NBC.

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3. Angelina Jolie

On top of being an accomplished actress, director and humanitarian, Jolie is also the proud owner of several aircraft and has been a licensed pilot since 2004.

The Maleficent actress’ love for the sky started as an effort to impress her eldest son Maddox, 22, who was obsessed with aircraft when he was just three years old, per People.

“If I could actually fly a plane by the time he’s four, I’ll be like Superman to him,” Jolie said.

Since then, Jolie has also qualified to fly helicopters.

4. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt got his pilot’s licence in the 1990s. Photo: FilmMagic

Like his now ex-wife Jolie, the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor is also a skilled pilot.

Pitt earned his private flying licence in the 1990s and is qualified to fly both single and multi-engine aircraft.

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5. Gisele Bündchen

Model Giselle Bündchen was pregnant when she got her flying licence. Photo: @gisele/Instagram

Bündchen can do it all. On top of being one of the highest-paid models in the world, she’s a skilled surfer, horse rider and helicopter pilot. According to Essentially Sports, the Brazilian supermodel was several months’ pregnant when she earned her flying licence.

6. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was in the US Air Force but never flew while serving. Photo: AP

Long before he became an actor, Morgan Freeman served in the US Air Force. However, he never flew during his service and worked instead as a mechanic on the ground, per Slash Gear.

Freeman didn’t earn his private flying license until he was 65.

7. Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil also earned an Instrument Rating. @drphil/Instagram

Phil McGraw – better known as Dr. Phil – is not only a licensed pilot, he went through intensive training to earn an Instrument Rating, arguably one of the most valuable and difficult ratings for a pilot.

8. John Travolta

John Travolta has been a licensed pilot since age 22, but this legendary Grease star is the gift that keeps on giving. In 2022, Travolta padded his aviation skills with a third license, authorizing him to pilot Boeing 747, 707 and 737 planes.

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