John Travolta wearing Quantas captain's uniform

[Nicholas49]

A few days ago, the FT carried an advert for the Qantas A380 with a large photo of John Travolta wearing a four-stripes captain's uniform.

I understand he is the airline's "Ambassador-at-Large" and flies his own 707, but can anyone could confirm:

- whether he still flies as a 747-400 First Officer with Quantas? If so, the photo of him wearing a captain's uniform is a tad misleading (although innocuous) to the initiated!

- if so, how regularly? Presumably not full-time...

- whether he flies for any other commercial airlines as an F/O?

Thanks,
Nick

[esreverlluf]

As far as I know, JT completed the sim portion of Qantas F/O training on the B744. I don't believe he has ever flown the real thing and has definitely NEVER operated a revenue service.

I don't expect that he would even have an Australian licence which would be required for an endorsement to be issued or to operate a VH registered aircraft.

He only dons the uniform in a promotional capacity, I don't think there is a law against dressing up (unless as a policeman perhaps)??


Also please note the absence of a "u" - QANTAS - it is an acronym.

See here for more info http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/427641-qantas-john-travolta.html

[Nicholas49]

Thanks esreverlluf. Spelling corrected. I hadn't realised the same topic was being discussed elsewhere!

[Load Toad]

Strewth, it's good PR innit? He's a decent / cool famous actor apparently an all round good bloke. He flies a 707; his 707. He's at least done some training with QANTAS and gives them and Oz some good publicity.

I don't see anything confusing about him wearing a jacket with stripes on - I didn't really think he was shooting smack in Pulp Fiction either.

Got to be good news for all I'd reckon.

[clunckdriver]

Last time I checked he had an FAA PPL, so if this is still the case I doubt he would be legal to fly a revenue flight, having said that he is most likely a far better pilot than some of the Multi Crew berks who seem to think that we in Canada would let them near our toys, three CVs from such folks in the last week!

[esreverlluf]

I just saw the ad in today's Sunday Times Mag - looks like JT's wings and and cap insignia have been photoshopped out - perhaps to avoid legal, moral or ethical dilemmas!:ok:

[aviate1138]

According to Internet Movie Database.....

"[Travolta] Pilots a multitude of jet aircraft. Most notable aviation feat is successful landing at Washington National of a Gulfstream IIB with complete electrical failure. Conditions at the time were night, IMC, icing. December of 1993."

No mean feat - if true, IMHO

I expect all the 747 stuff is Movie Industry bullsh*t. Surprised they haven't had him doing weekend work flying Stealths/Blackbirds even UAVs!

[Nicholas49]

Sorry for the igorance, but which airline is JT?

Are you based in the UK or do you also have a Sunday Times down under?!

[forget]

Sorry for the igorance, but which airline is JT?

A clue may be in the thread title. :rolleyes:

[JEM60]

AVIATE.
The Gulfstream story is true. There was a programme some years ago on JT, where he described this very landing in detail.

[esreverlluf]

Nic - I'm not based in London, but just happened to be there on Sunday.

[emeritus]

Not certain where I read it but understand that to paint his a/c in the QF colours and wear the uniform the a/c was req to be maintained to QF standards and he had/has to meet QF captain standards.

Qantas would not run the risk of a "cowboy" bending an a/c painted in QF colours and then having the pics all over the front pages.

Emeritus

[esreverlluf]

Emeritus - I seriously doubt that. See other thread http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/427641-qantas-john-travolta.html .

My information is there were other requirements imposed to minimise the chances of the 707 ending up as a smoking hole in the ground with a "Qantas" tail sticking up. He doesn't even fly the 707 as PIC after all . . .

[SKS777FLYER]

Travolta came for years to the AMR sims near the DFW Airport for B-707 recurrent training....he may still, don't know as I retired 2 years ago. He had/has an excellent reputation at the Flight Academay for his flying skills.

Supposedly, Travolta first approached AMR management with the idea of painting his jet in American Airlines retro livery years ago, but they nixed his request.

[Dan Winterland]

Qantas would not run the risk of a "cowboy" bending an a/c painted in QF colours and then having the pics all over the front pages.

No, I should think not. They probably didn't like it the last time it happened in Bangkok.