John Travolta gifts his 707-138 to HARS
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1) Neither a US ATP nor CPL have any more recurrent training obligations for someone flying for personal reasons.
2) JT has never, to my knowledge held anything other than a Private Pilot certificate. His license is a frequent topic on internet aviation forums, and on various occasions over hte years the discussions have piqued my curiosity so that I've checked the FAA database. Yep, still a PPL, every time.
It always astonishes me that people want to make such a big deal about the fact that he has only a private license. Ummm, so what? Apparently, that's the level of pilot certificate he wants. If he wanted to have an ATP, somewhere along the line of getting 8 different jet type ratings, he probably could have squeezed in an ATP ride too. So, it would appear that keeping his PPL is a choice. Not sure why he wants to hold a PPL only, perhaps he's making some point about working pilots vs pilots who fly for personal reasons. I don't know and can only speculate. If I ever meet him, maybe I'll ask him. But at the end of the day, who cares that he only has a PPLL, and why does anyone care?
SkyGod
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. Who cares that he only has a PPLL, and why does anyone care?
quaildified pilot and showed a picture of JT in a Captain's uniform, as if he was a fully qualified Airline Captain. (Not, can't do that with a PPL)
It is of course commendable that he donates his 707 to an Australian museum, great for the Aussies, great for JT and and great for the aiplane.
Happy ending for sure.
TowerDog,
I believe that, if you were to do your homework, you would find out he has an FAA ATR with all the trimming.
It is quite a while ago now, but I seem to recall that he completed a full type course on a B747 at Qantas (don't recall whether it was a Classic or -438) and he was issued with a (now superseded) SCPL, so he would now have an Australian ATPL.
Don't be such a miserable sod, he can dress however he likes, either on his own aircraft, or as an "honorary" Qantas crew member, it is no more "fake" than a young kid with a CPL wearing four bars flying a C-172, which always gives me a good giggle.
Tootle pip!!
PS: Should the lead singer of the head banger group Iron Maiden wear four bars when he is flying?
I believe that, if you were to do your homework, you would find out he has an FAA ATR with all the trimming.
It is quite a while ago now, but I seem to recall that he completed a full type course on a B747 at Qantas (don't recall whether it was a Classic or -438) and he was issued with a (now superseded) SCPL, so he would now have an Australian ATPL.
Don't be such a miserable sod, he can dress however he likes, either on his own aircraft, or as an "honorary" Qantas crew member, it is no more "fake" than a young kid with a CPL wearing four bars flying a C-172, which always gives me a good giggle.
Tootle pip!!
PS: Should the lead singer of the head banger group Iron Maiden wear four bars when he is flying?
Legend. Livin the dream
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He certainly is, and flys commerically.
John Travolta has a PPL but is qualified to fly various jets on PRIVATE ops, I cannot see what some posters are getting at. JT is an enthusiast and qualified for his own 707 and has done the simulator training at Qantas for 744, not too many PPLs can claim that!
John Travolta has a PPL but is qualified to fly various jets on PRIVATE ops, I cannot see what some posters are getting at. JT is an enthusiast and qualified for his own 707 and has done the simulator training at Qantas for 744, not too many PPLs can claim that!
I thought Bruce Dickinson was a bit like the Dutch King and operated as crew on line operations? I don't think JT wearing 4 stripes is really much different to retired airline pilots still using the term "Captain" when they are no longer flying. Both are equally irrelevant.
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Thought John did a deal with Qantas in regard maintenance of 707 in exchange for Ambassador/free add stuff.
So why is it in need of maintenance?
P.S thanks John need people like you in aviation.
So why is it in need of maintenance?
P.S thanks John need people like you in aviation.
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Really, who cares when it last flew, what's wrong with it and why he's giving it away.
The fact is, he is doing a wonderful thing, asking nothing for it, and we should just say thanks, then leave it to those who are putting in the hard work to get it to Australia.
The fact is, he is doing a wonderful thing, asking nothing for it, and we should just say thanks, then leave it to those who are putting in the hard work to get it to Australia.
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It's my understanding that Travolta WAS offered a 747 by Qantas, but it was politely declined due to parking and operational issues. It might have been a Classic or an SP.
Clearly though, as one gets older, and even though you may be a Qantas ambassador, why have a large four engine aircraft on your doorstep today?
Clearly though, as one gets older, and even though you may be a Qantas ambassador, why have a large four engine aircraft on your doorstep today?
Couple of points. Joyce probably isn't the fan of the history of Qf that would support the ongoing maintenance and operational expense as those did in the past. These are expensive toys and JT is not of the magnitude of wealth to afford them easily. He mentioned something along the lines of 'hoping to be part of the crew on the way'. I detect a loss of interest, medical or some other reason (I would hope not even a hint of distaste for how he may have been treated at the conclusion of the Qf 707 marketing contract?). Maybe even he couldn't bring himself to wear the new uniform?
I will be eternally grateful there is a Qf 7-0 for people to see in Aus. Thanks JT. And I'd say that even if he only had a Student licence - or none at all.
I will be eternally grateful there is a Qf 7-0 for people to see in Aus. Thanks JT. And I'd say that even if he only had a Student licence - or none at all.
He is a lot closer the PPRuNe than you think........ 
Not something I have thought about, at all, but some of the miserable comments on this thread reminded me of similar miserable sods making similar disparaging comments about Dickinson, without knowing his qualifications --- which I did, having met the bloke when he was flying a B757.
Re. my not nearly correct comments on JT licenses, so much for the stories current at the time Travolta was doing the -400 course.
I guess if I put up a story about John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham, long tine Chief Test Pilot of DeHavillands (think Comet and Trident) some miserable and narrow minded sod here would say: "He wasn't a real pilot, he only had a PPL".
Which was the only full civil license he ever had.
--- retired airline pilots still using the term "Captain" when they are no longer flying. Both are equally irrelevant.
Tootle pip!!
Did he ever get beyond a PPL?
Not miserable about much. In Hollywood anything goes and folks strut around in uniforms while making movies all the time, but when an actor also does it in real life, it seems odd.
Some ships captains have four bars.
I thought the thing was that airlines came along later, and some decided adopt naval insignia and some preferred the air force stripes.
Maybe I got that wrong.