Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of English Heavy Metal band Iron Maiden flies the Airbus A320 for the first time ever(Flying Heavy Metal 2005)
Posted by Twitter_2006@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 39 comments
Thesorus@reddit
I'm curious, how much training did he have to be sitting there ?
It's a test flight, not some random airplane.
crucible@reddit
Good question. There's another episode where he goes to Florida and flies a 727, the pilot lets him handle the landing almost until the wheels hit the runway, IIRC.
crucible@reddit
“where Airbus have put a plate for my steak frites” - reviewing planes in the style of Top Gear, haha
yet_another_whirl@reddit
Bruce also qualified to represent England / UK in fencing (no, not garden or stolen property) at the Olympics.
crucible@reddit
He rocked up to some veterans event in France last year and finished 13th.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/20/sport/iron-maiden-fencing-tournament-spt-intl
YU_AKI@reddit
Fun fact: he was on the books at UK charter carrier Astraeus (that also operated Ed Force One).
I was too unwell to go at the time, but I was very cheesed off when my sister kindly remembered to photograph the plane and it was Ed Force One with Bruce flying them out on holiday.
Twitter_2006@reddit (OP)
Awesome!
str1ker2k7@reddit
in front the jets from german and i think france government
crucible@reddit
IIRC this was at Zurich and coincided with the Book of Souls Tour being in Switzerland around the same time Merkel and Hollande were visiting as part of the inauguration of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
That-Makes-Sense@reddit
If I recall, he was not only a pilot, he also trained pilots on the 737.
Stoney3K@reddit
AFAIK he was part owner of Astraeus.
Mad_kat4@reddit
The most remarkable man of our time. Reading his accomplishments is like reading six different people's life stories all at once.
Up the irons \m/
MonsieurReynard@reddit
To be fair, Brian May, PhD is a contender
Bortron86@reddit
I'd nominate Christopher Lee as well. A lot older, obviously, but didn't die all that long ago and he lived a hell of a life.
CaySalBank@reddit
Jonny Kim as well. Some people are just built different
Captain_Mazhar@reddit
Dex Holland from the Offspring as well. Dude has a PHD in molecular biology specializing in HIV research.
stoph311@reddit
As well as being an accomplished commercial pilot in his own right. And owns the Gringo Bandito hot sauce company, and that sauce is delicious.
BubbaMediocrates@reddit
Skunk Baxter of Steely Dan/The Doobie Brothers has entered the chat.
Maximus13@reddit
I mean, Brian Blessed has got to be right up there, no?
quietflyr@reddit
You must not know about many men.
Twitter_2006@reddit (OP)
He flies the 747 and 757 as well.
Independent_You7995@reddit
Before he’s done we’ll be wearing gold plated diapers!
jjw14-1420@reddit
Fellas… Ya gonna WANT that cowbell!
AngryScottish@reddit
What does that even mean?
Dry_Okra_4839@reddit
Never question Bruce Dickinson!
drrhythm2@reddit
Yes, THE Bruce Dickinson!
Mauzersmash0815@reddit
I have a piece of the former ed force one 747
jaqueh@reddit
fyi potential last iron maiden tour will be starting next month
Pro-editor-1105@reddit
Wasn't he a 747 pilot?
Twitter_2006@reddit (OP)
Yeah, he's flown the Boeing 747 and 757.
SomeRandomJagoff@reddit
“Oh my word!” -British heavy metal singer
beta_version@reddit
Needs more cow bell.
mailmehiermaar@reddit
Why are the wheels down in most of the exterior footage?
MrFickless@reddit
To simulate being low and slow
Kotukunui@reddit
Probably so the camera aircraft can keep up.
moving0target@reddit
I mean, what else is he going to do with his time?
kraven420@reddit
3 2 0 - The number of the beast
hookalaya74@reddit
Up the Irons 💪🏻
trubol@reddit
I expect lots of comments with puns on Iron Maiden song titles and stuff like that.
But also, whoa, what an interesting documentary. Definitely upvoted