Bruce Dickinson

[Typhoon93]

Dickinson jokes he?s only a part-time singer - Classic Rock (http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2014-09-01/iron-maiden-bruce-dickinson-part-time-singer)

Looks like he's flying at Duxford. \m/

[ShotOne]

And why not? He didn't just go out and buy a jet. He's an experienced 73/5/767 Pilot (7,000 hrs), earned his command properly, and by all accounts a good operator.

[Herod]

Having flown with Bruce on the 737, I agree; he's a good operator

[Dysonsphere]

bumped into him a few years ago at my local club, no location his privacy is why we have clubs.

[MATELO]

bumped into him a few years ago at my local club, no location his privacy is why we have clubs.

wasn't The Pilot in Chiswick was it ?

[Typhoon93]

I agree, Shot.

He's earned the title as a pilot and his passion is undeniable. He's also a great metal frontman of a great British heavy metal band. I'm a fan!

[FlapJackMuncher]

Saw the Iron Maiden tour bus on the pan at Akrotiri about 3 years ago. The artwork stood out from the more usual offerings.
Don't know who was at the controls though.

[A and C]

Bruce is respected as a pilot and trainer, very professional in the aircraft and a nice guy out of it........... Once witnessed him performing a harmonica duet with the guy who was driving the pushback truck, the passengers boading the aircraft did not know what to make of this !

[Sun Who]

Some people are born with more talent than seems fair - makes me sick with jealousy.

Sun.

[hoodie]

Once witnessed him performing a harmonica duet with the guy who was driving the pushback truck,

What a great story. :ok: Seems to summarise perfectly other good things I've heard about the guy.

[Typhoon93]

He is a good guy. He's a hard working man who obviously cares about the workers, hence why he invested some of the many millions he made with Maiden and in his short solo career to start up a company which repairs aircraft, subsequently creating not just jobs for the already trained and qualified, but new career opportunities for people just starting out.

Two members of his family were pilots, one of which I believe was part of the Quick Reaction Alert in WWII which is what the song, 'Aces High' is based on.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Here's a pic of Mr D at my local airfield, which he frequented during the summer:

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a610/brendan_mccartney/Aircraft/N843TE_2_zpsae484018.jpg

[Agaricus bisporus]

Had limited success as a soup-cook though...

[Surplus]

Seems to like Hybrid airships too...

[aergid]

BD is a top guy. Loaded many of an Aircraft with him at the helm.
Captain of Astraeus Airlines and indeed flew the Iron Maiden Aircraft during the last World Tour of Iron Maiden Flight Number 666...

He also fronted the DfT GHOST Flight Safety Video: Safety In The Balance


Astraeus and Iron Maiden

The heavy metal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music) band Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Dickinson) was an Astraeus Captain, flying the Boeing 757 aircraft when not performing with the band. [6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astraeus_Airlines#cite_note-6) Dickinson was also Astraeus's Marketing Director. Dickinson has flown many high-profile flights for Astraeus: for example, on 20 October 2010, he flew the Liverpool F.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C.) team to Naples (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naples), Italy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy), for their European Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League) match against Napoli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.S.C._Napoli).
Iron Maiden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden) commissioned an Astraeus 757 as transport for their Somewhere Back in Time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somewhere_Back_in_Time_World_Tour) tour in 2008 and nicknamed it Ed Force One, flown by the lead singer Dickinson himself. The aircraft was converted into a combi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combi_aircraft) configuration, repainted with an Iron Maiden livery and was used in this scheme until 28 May 2008. The same aircraft (G-OJIB) was used again on the second leg of the Somewhere Back in Time tour in 2009. The aircraft was also meant to be used for The Final Frontier World Tour (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Final_Frontier_World_Tour) in 2011; however on 8 February 2011 another 757-200 aircraft (G-STRX) departed Southend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Southend_Airport) with a sightly differing Iron Maiden livery for the tour.

In 2014, Dickinson purchased a Fokker Dr.I (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_Dr.I) triplane replica G-CDXR and joined the Great War Display Team, which re-enacts First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_World_War) air battles at airshows across the UK.

[JammedStab]

Now going to fly the 747-400

Iron Maiden Unveil New Jumbo Jet, 'Ed Force One,' and Preliminary World Tour Plans (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/iron-maiden-ed-force-one-2016-world-tour/)

[Daysleeper]

New Maiden album "The Book of Souls" released today as well, available from all good record stores.

With one track at 18 minutes I suspect it won't be on Radio 1 any time soon but will be on Planet Rock.

[bluetail]

He was at RIAT this year supporting "Flying for the Disabled" top bloke, what really surprised me was how short in height he is.
Perfect size for his Eclipse though.

[DirtyProp]

Dickinson jokes he?s only a part-time singer - Classic Rock (http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2014-09-01/iron-maiden-bruce-dickinson-part-time-singer)


Agree, I always liked Paul Di'Anno more.

[Feathers McGraw]

bumped into him a few years ago at my local club, no location his privacy is why we have clubs.Number 22 Acacia Avenue isn't it?

[Davef68]

Nicko McBrain had a PPL with a twin rating (may still have it), in fact I think he was a flyer before Bruce.

[camelspyyder]

His band's new studio double album is out today.

Includes the epic 18 minutes tribute to R101 - "Empire of the clouds" - some track that is :)

and yes - Planet Rock played it in full this afternoon from 1607 to 1625.

[Finnpog]

He was also a damn good fencer IIRC (and by that, I mean sword-fighter :ok: )

[Herod]

UK Junior Champion, I think

[Davef68]

He was on the verge of the UK Olymic team at one point in the early 90s, which would have thrown Maiden's touring schedule. He seems to be one of these guys who throws himself 100% at an activity, and makes a success of them.

[Alber Ratman]

Thoroughly top bloke. Was working on Ed Force One for its C check and transfer application prior to the 2011 tour. Had a mate out in the Stan at the time who asked for a picture of him holding a message to my mate. He gladly did it. :ok:

[JointShiteFighter]

The 747 is nice, but it doesn't interest me that much. I am looking forward to seeing him fly this on Saturday! A fighter doesn't have to be fast to be interesting.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/134BCC84_5056_A318_A8FE827C8000FB0A.jpg

P.S. The new album is good.

[Clare Prop]

I've just finished his book "What does this button do?" A cracking good read!

Having been involved in flying, martial arts and the music biz I can really appreciate just how talented he is and how much success he has crammed into one lifetime. Would love to meet him one day.

[chopper2004]

When he was with Astraeus or Omni - he flew elements of A4 from their deployment into Wittering a decade back.

Best mate who was DAMO went to greet the a/c and got autograph and photo - it been a dream come true for him to meet Iron Maiden's founder and former lead man.

cheers

[M-ONGO]

Indeed he is a top bloke and operator, I’ve flown with him several times.

Interestingly enough, he was once quite an active moderator here on pprune.

[AndoniP]

When he was with Astraeus or Omni - he flew elements of A4 from their deployment into Wittering a decade back.

Best mate who was DAMO went to greet the a/c and got autograph and photo - it been a dream come true for him to meet Iron Maiden's founder and former lead man.

cheers



A little off-topic, but Bruce Dickinson wasn't Iron Maiden's founder, Steve Harris was. Dickinson replaced Paul Di Anno, who was kicked out apparently because of a nasty drug habit.

[Pegpilot]

AndoniP speaks the truth. Back in the day I saw Maiden play the White Swan outside Hammersmith tube station with Di'Annoas singer. The gig was a freebie for the pub, because a few months before they'd been due to play there and Di'Anno was arrested outside the pub beforehand for possession of a knife and they had to play an instrumental set. A psycho...

[AndoniP]

Interestingly enough, he was once quite an active moderator here on pprune.

Wow, what was his username??

[Wycombe]

Many on here (including me) know it, but would you thank someone for removing your anonimity?

[Wholigan]

Quite right Wycombe.

[B Fraser]

I met BD at a west London aerodrome and both he and his kids were extremely "normal". Top bloke !


(The Pprune username was quite witty as it worked on several levels).

[RedhillPhil]

......and like me he was born in Worksop.

[Wander00]

Even admitting I cannot stand his "music" I still cannot see the link to "Military Aviation"

[glad rag]

Well there's #36 who do!

[Pontius Navigator]

Many on here (including me) know it, but would you thank someone for removing your anonimity?interesting twist though revealing the cover name :)

[Suzeman]

Not forgetting his Trooper beer brewed by Robinsons in Stockport. This article shows how enthusiastic he is about everything.

https://www.petebrown.net/2013/05/31/bruce-dickinson-lead-singer-of-iron/

[Duchess_Driver]

I think the connection is explained earlier in the thread in that Bruce bought (and flies) a Fokker DR.1.

[Lima Juliet]

I’ve met the Rocker with the Fokker - what a nice chap. But then again so is Brad Pitt who also has a PPL and is a down to earth person that I have had the pleasure to meet. So was Gary Numan (who? Says a Millennial), David Jason, Mark Webber, the Duke of Edinburgh, Wills and Vorders who I admire immensely on many levels! All bounce around the flying ‘circuit’ to varying degrees, and flying is great leveller when you get a chance to chat.

Name dropper? Moi? :cool:

[AndoniP]

Many on here (including me) know it, but would you thank someone for removing your anonimity?

The perhaps foolish assumption I've made is that he doesn't post on here any more, hence it wouldn't matter whether it was known or not.

[diginagain]

Iron Maiden Lead Singer Bruce Dickinson Made Honorary Group Captain In RAF (https://www.forces.net/news/iron-maiden-lead-singer-bruce-dickinson-made-honorary-group-captain-raf#.XhZesVjYW54.twitter)

[cattletruck]

Run to the hills, run for your life.
(sorry couldn't help it)
Well done Bruce.

[Herod]

Congratulations Bruce. I gather he may be fencing for the RAF. The other services had better up their game

[Asturias56]

Bugger!! He'll get one of the MBE's they hand at at Honours time now..................... :{

[mopardave]

Bugger!! He'll get one of the MBE's they hand at at Honours time now..................... :{
I can think of far less worthy recipients.