British actresses that are learning to fly or have a PPL

[TV cast director]

Hi all

I work in TV and Film casting, and currently working on a production for the BBC. They require a british actress (preferably non hollywood) who is either learning to fly or already has a PPL to take part in a shoot later this year. I have done numerous searches on the internet and through the agencies and have more or less come up blank.

Obviously I cannot go into details on the production but would really appreciate any assistance in this matter. As most people in this industry I have little experience in aviation and I have been recommended to post on this forum to try and gain any information that any of the members have.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[WelshHopper]

Don't hold me to it, but I believe Amanda Mealing (Ex Holby, BBC) has a PPL.

WH :ok:

[gijoe]

TV,

PM sent to you.

[Sepp]

Maybe an entry in one of the Opportunities sections of The Stage might better reach suitable artists?

[Sir George Cayley]

There's a few male actors and TV personalities that fly. They'd have to drag up though.;)

The big name is Angelina Jolie who flies, has her own Cirrus 22 and donates a/c to charity. Would the Beeb's budget stretch?

Vicky Kimm, the former Mrs Martin Shaw, I think flies and is/was a TV Presenter.

Not much to go on I'm sorry.

Sir George Cayley

[moggiee]

Of course, you won't be allowed to pay her for any of her flying.................officially.

[IO540]

If she is an employee of a business, the business can pay her (a PPL holder) for doing a job in which she freely chooses to fly a plane. This is how many PPL businessmen fly on their own business.

However, I suspect that in most movies etc this kind of thing is either faked outright, or is done by having a CPL holder sitting in the plane, out of view of the camera, as was done in e.g. that banal top gear stunt where the Veyron "beat" a Cessna.

[Rugbyears]

However, I suspect that in most movies etc this kind of thing is either faked outright, or is done by having a CPL holder sitting in the plane, out of view of the camera, as was done in e.g. that banal top gear stunt where the Veyron "beat" a Cessna.

Are you referring to Mr May? If indeed you are, then you are misinformed. James May is a PPL holder and has been for almost 10 year. In addition he has IMC, Night Rating as well as tail wheel conversion.

[flybymike]

I don't think it is Mr May's qualifications which are in doubt, only the matter of whether he was paid to conduct a flight on the strength of a PPL rather than a CPL. However, I imagine that any payment was in respect of being a presenter of "Top Gear" rather than as a pilot, although I must admit that I don't recall seeing any camera shots of the right hand seat during the film piece.;)

[stickandrudderman]

(preferably non hollywood)

The big name is Angelina Jolie who flies, has her own Cirrus 22 and donates a/c to charity. Would the Beeb's budget stretch?


(increasing character count)

RTFQ!

[IO540]

I clearly recall reading that there was an instructor in the RHS on that TG stunt.

Anyway, I would expect that the producer would have contractually required the stunt to be made, which means the PIC must have a CPL.

One obvious way around this would be for the actor to be self employed (aren't most actors self employed anyway?), the producer contracts with the actor's company to produce the stunt "somehow", and if the actor's company freely chooses to use the actor to fly the plane (rather than hiring in somebody else) then that should still be doable under a PPL. The key, AIUI, is that the actor is not directly contractually required to fly. It may be that the actor's company is a one man band but the legal separation remains.

[Airbus Girl]

I would suggest a ring round of flying clubs around London. Most actresses live close to London so will fly or have learnt to fly nearby. Suggest calling Wycombe Air Centre (now part of Cabair)/ BA Flying Club at Wycombe Air Park, West London Aero Club at White Waltham and Cabair at Elstree, Denham, Blackbush, Cranfield and Biggin Hill. They will know. I can't think off the top of my head, I know Christopher Reeves did some flying at Booker Gliding Club and I know that Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) did some flying at Wycombe Air Centre. There have been others but I just can't think! But if I was trying to find out, they'd be the schools I'd be calling.

[WelshHopper]

Oh, and TV Cast Director,

If you are fortunate enough to find one from the suggestions on here, all of us are claiming agents fees! :E

WH :ok:

[TV cast director]

Many thanks for your assistance, but still really no leads, it would be really easy if I was casting male actors but BBC always tend to make it a little difficult. I wil let you know the outcome once we have found a suitable candidate.

Once again I would appreciate it if you could let me know if you have any suggestions.

[Wessex Boy]

Did Katie Price take any more Helicopter lessons?

[Wibblemonster]

Even if she did take lessons, why on earth would you want to see more of the vacuous bint on telly?

Furthermore, why must it be a woman, is the BBC just being politically correct as usual? One of my instructors is a lass & they should get her on, you know a real person, not a zelebrity.

[Russ.w.]

Yes, I think Katy Price is the proud owner of a couple of Zeppelins. ;)

[mcgoo]

Rugbyears, The Top Gear Cessna feature was in 2005 and in this article dated 2006, James May states he has spent the last year learning to fly, so in the Top Gear feature would have been a student.

James May on noise pollution - BBC Top Gear (http://www.topgear.com/uk/james-may/james-may-noise-pollution-2006-08-01)

[Fake Sealion]

Chris Evans and David Jason are PPL(H) holders - They may know of some actress/pilots perhaps.

[Union Jack]

Chris Evans and David Jason are PPL(H) holders

Not to mention Fergie..... I said not to mention Fergie!:uhoh:

Jack

[Whopity]

Sounds like a spoof to me. The Beeb know very well how to go about this without advertising on Prune!

[Humaround]

If the TV is interested in following a female actress as she learns to fly, I imagine there are quite a few who are 'resting' and would jump at the chance of getting a PPL and being paid to be on telly at the same time...

[Vizsla]

Most actresses I've met are airheads and the nearest they get to flying is on coke.
Fergie no longer flys due to a weight and balance problem

[IO540]

Yeah.... £500k in cash must weigh quite a bit. You are also a bit limited in your choice of "safe" destinations where you could unload it :)

However it is perhaps not suprising to see a request like this. The TV companies are contracting out loads of programming these days.

[LH-OAB]

Not an actress but a TV personality, Helen Young, former weather presenter and Head of BBC Weather is/was a flyer.

[wsmempson]

What about Sian Lloyd - she used to be engaged to a pilot, before he moved up to a twin...:}

[vanHorck]

Just think if Suzanna Reid could fly.....

[Sir George Cayley]

James May's had a tailwheel conversion :eek:

I rather unfortunate turn of phrase dontyathink?

Sir George Cayley

[Tail-take-off]

Eddie Izzard has a ppl but i'm not sure if he is current. You could always ask him to appear as his on stage alter-ego. :ok: