Tom Cruise flying the AS350
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Whilst not knocking his flying, remember that for this film they had a full AS350 cockpit replica setup in the studio with a green screen where you can do whatever flying you like, with Tom flying in that setup as well as in the real machine.
All may not be what it seems on YouTube. :-)
All may not be what it seems on YouTube. :-)
Shortly after 'Top Gun' was released Tom Cruise came into a studio I was working at for an interview. Very courteous and respectful guy. No ego on display whatsoever.
From personal experience, a very nice guy, no ego apparent, happy to talk with the lowest in the social order (helicopter pilots) and learn what he can.
I concur. I had the very great pleasure of driving him around for a week (fixed wing, I'm afraid, people). He was eager to learn how we did what we did, and why, was pleasant company without exception, courteous and mindful of our needs as well as his and generally, as you say, a top bloke.
Tom is a good guy. Very courteous. He bothers to learn the names of the people working with him on assignments and greets you with your name every morning which amazed me since he must meet hundreds of people every year in his work.
He approaches flying with a very humble & professional attitude and is eager to learn and his son did also fly with me and had the same character attributes.
He approaches flying with a very humble & professional attitude and is eager to learn and his son did also fly with me and had the same character attributes.
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I think that as is common in our media-driven world he's fallen out of favour rapidly since his Scientology exploits have become public. Any time you mention him now he's likely to be dismissed as a whacko, but I don't think anyone can deny he's consistently good in his film roles, and it sounds like he's a decent bloke in real life.
They would have had to watch themselves with that spiral descent close to the terrain if there was indeed a big overspeed - I can just imagine the cliffs looming up and the good old 'servo transparency' rearing its ugly head just as you were trying to pull out.
They would have had to watch themselves with that spiral descent close to the terrain if there was indeed a big overspeed - I can just imagine the cliffs looming up and the good old 'servo transparency' rearing its ugly head just as you were trying to pull out.
I admire Tom Cruise, I think he's probably a good pilot, especially after seeing him in American Made, but that spiral/roll manouvre in the clip, no way ! So near to the ground ?
The most experienced stunt helicopter pilot in the world wouldn't have done that. Far too dangerous. Maybe at a higher altitude...Would insurance companies even allow that even if the pilot was crazy enough to do it ? I think thats got be a studio/sim set up shot.
The most experienced stunt helicopter pilot in the world wouldn't have done that. Far too dangerous. Maybe at a higher altitude...Would insurance companies even allow that even if the pilot was crazy enough to do it ? I think thats got be a studio/sim set up shot.
Excellent ambassador for our industry! "I feel the need..."
I admire Tom Cruise, I think he's probably a good pilot, especially after seeing him in American Made, but that spiral/roll manouvre in the clip, no way ! So near to the ground ?
The most experienced stunt helicopter pilot in the world wouldn't have done that. Far too dangerous. Maybe at a higher altitude...Would insurance companies even allow that even if the pilot was crazy enough to do it ? I think thats got be a studio/sim set up shot.
The most experienced stunt helicopter pilot in the world wouldn't have done that. Far too dangerous. Maybe at a higher altitude...Would insurance companies even allow that even if the pilot was crazy enough to do it ? I think thats got be a studio/sim set up shot.
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Here we go again ....
Last time it was John Joseph Travolta supposedly holding variously a command rating for a Boeing 707, a CFI ticket, an FE ticket, and so on and so forth. He was being put forth as Superpilot then.
All faa.gov showed was this:
JOHN JOSEPH TRAVOLTA
8720 NE 16TH TER
OCALA FL 34479-3404
County: MARION
Country: USA
Medical Information:
Medical Class: First Medical Date: 2/2018
MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR NEAR AND DISTANT VISION.
BasicMed Course Date: None BasicMed CMEC Date: None
Certificates
PRIVATE PILOT
Certificates Description
Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Date of Issue: 6/5/2011
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE
Type Ratings:
P/B-707 P/B-720 P/CE-500 P/CL-600 P/EA-500S
P/G-1159 P/HS-125 P/LR-JET
Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
AUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT: SO-G2.
B-707 SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY.
CE-500 (VFR ONLY).
That's not much when compared to what has been claimed as Travolta's qualifications.
When you go to faa.gov and insert Mapother, Thomas (Tom Cruise's birth name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV) in the search box you get back this:
THOMAS C MAPOTHER
Address is not available
Medical Information:
No Medical Information Available
Certificates
PRIVATE PILOT
Certificates Description
Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Date of Issue: 8/27/1947
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
Talented guy, but I doubt he got a PPL in 1947. That must be his father or his grandfather, since "Tom Cruise" was born as Thomas C Mapother IV
Searching a bit further gives us this for Cruise, Thomas:
THOMAS CRUISE
Address is not available
Medical Information:
Medical Class: First Medical Date: 12/2016
BasicMed Course Date: None BasicMed CMEC Date: None
Certificates
COMMERCIAL PILOT
Certificates Description
Certificate: COMMERCIAL PILOT
Date of Issue: 4/1/2016
Ratings:
COMMERCIAL PILOT
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE
ROTORCRAFT-HELICOPTER
PRIVATE PRIVILEGES
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
If that's Tom Cruise the movie star then, yes, he does hold a CPL Helicopter.
That said, it would be pretty surprising to see a major movie star doing his own flying, but for insurance reasons, not necessarily for lack of skill or qualifications. If the star were to wipe him- or herself out part way through a multi-million dollar movie then the whole thing usually either would go down the toilet or else need some very high-level fakery.
The financial risk to a studio would normally mean that when you see a star such as Cruise doing something really, really dangerous then that was either done using a "green screen" or else it was done by someone else entirely.
If you go onto Youtube you can find an interesting short documentary about the making of the latest "John Wick" movie starring Keanu Reeves. There's an action scene involving a lot of really hairy stunt driving in a new Ford Mustang, when you can see Reeves behind the wheel. What you don't see, though, is a stunt driver doing the actual driving from a station up on the roof of the car!
The thing about this combination of Scientology and Hollywood is that it seems to square the amount of BS that supports the image of a big star such as Cruise is, and such as Travolta was. David Letterman did an interview with Cruise where he baited Cruise into claiming that he took his young children on technical rock climbs. Cruise was way out there on very thin ice then, but he just kept on with the nonsense, not backing down an inch despite laughing rather nervously.
Aviation is catnip for those who want to fantasize, and for those who want to believe in fantasy. Put some guy in the left seat of a real Boeing 707, wearing four bright gold stripes, and Sha-zam! he's a Captain. The FAA may not agree, but who bothers to check with them?
All faa.gov showed was this:
JOHN JOSEPH TRAVOLTA
8720 NE 16TH TER
OCALA FL 34479-3404
County: MARION
Country: USA
Medical Information:
Medical Class: First Medical Date: 2/2018
MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR NEAR AND DISTANT VISION.
BasicMed Course Date: None BasicMed CMEC Date: None
Certificates
PRIVATE PILOT
Certificates Description
Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Date of Issue: 6/5/2011
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE
Type Ratings:
P/B-707 P/B-720 P/CE-500 P/CL-600 P/EA-500S
P/G-1159 P/HS-125 P/LR-JET
Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
AUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT: SO-G2.
B-707 SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY.
CE-500 (VFR ONLY).
That's not much when compared to what has been claimed as Travolta's qualifications.
When you go to faa.gov and insert Mapother, Thomas (Tom Cruise's birth name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV) in the search box you get back this:
THOMAS C MAPOTHER
Address is not available
Medical Information:
No Medical Information Available
Certificates
PRIVATE PILOT
Certificates Description
Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Date of Issue: 8/27/1947
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
Talented guy, but I doubt he got a PPL in 1947. That must be his father or his grandfather, since "Tom Cruise" was born as Thomas C Mapother IV
Searching a bit further gives us this for Cruise, Thomas:
THOMAS CRUISE
Address is not available
Medical Information:
Medical Class: First Medical Date: 12/2016
BasicMed Course Date: None BasicMed CMEC Date: None
Certificates
COMMERCIAL PILOT
Certificates Description
Certificate: COMMERCIAL PILOT
Date of Issue: 4/1/2016
Ratings:
COMMERCIAL PILOT
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE
ROTORCRAFT-HELICOPTER
PRIVATE PRIVILEGES
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
If that's Tom Cruise the movie star then, yes, he does hold a CPL Helicopter.
That said, it would be pretty surprising to see a major movie star doing his own flying, but for insurance reasons, not necessarily for lack of skill or qualifications. If the star were to wipe him- or herself out part way through a multi-million dollar movie then the whole thing usually either would go down the toilet or else need some very high-level fakery.
The financial risk to a studio would normally mean that when you see a star such as Cruise doing something really, really dangerous then that was either done using a "green screen" or else it was done by someone else entirely.
If you go onto Youtube you can find an interesting short documentary about the making of the latest "John Wick" movie starring Keanu Reeves. There's an action scene involving a lot of really hairy stunt driving in a new Ford Mustang, when you can see Reeves behind the wheel. What you don't see, though, is a stunt driver doing the actual driving from a station up on the roof of the car!
The thing about this combination of Scientology and Hollywood is that it seems to square the amount of BS that supports the image of a big star such as Cruise is, and such as Travolta was. David Letterman did an interview with Cruise where he baited Cruise into claiming that he took his young children on technical rock climbs. Cruise was way out there on very thin ice then, but he just kept on with the nonsense, not backing down an inch despite laughing rather nervously.
Aviation is catnip for those who want to fantasize, and for those who want to believe in fantasy. Put some guy in the left seat of a real Boeing 707, wearing four bright gold stripes, and Sha-zam! he's a Captain. The FAA may not agree, but who bothers to check with them?
Last edited by chuks; 14th Feb 2018 at 10:11.
We used to do this spin/decent show-off maneuver in the AS350 during heliskiing sometimes,
but usually not that steep of a nose down attitude like in the video, no need for that. Kept speed at 60-80 kts 60-70° bank with nose probably 45°down and with 40-50% Torque to maintain Mr rpm
It drops like a piano in that attitude, faster than in auto and you would like to have some 2000 feet below you at least
And for sure your are killing the MR frequency dampers if you do all the time.
But the clip looks legit, not like some green screen fake and that waterfall looks like at least 1500 feet drop so Tom had good ground clearance when he comes of it.
but usually not that steep of a nose down attitude like in the video, no need for that. Kept speed at 60-80 kts 60-70° bank with nose probably 45°down and with 40-50% Torque to maintain Mr rpm It drops like a piano in that attitude, faster than in auto and you would like to have some 2000 feet below you at least
And for sure your are killing the MR frequency dampers if you do all the time.
But the clip looks legit, not like some green screen fake and that waterfall looks like at least 1500 feet drop so Tom had good ground clearance when he comes of it.
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Well spotted... not.
This Prune thing ....
What I ended up with was this, "Talented guy, but I doubt he got a PPL in 1947. That must be his father or his grandfather, since "Tom Cruise" was born as Thomas C Mapother IV"
Followed very shortly by this:
"He certainly looks young for someone who got their PPL in 1947! Nice research... not."
Indeed, indeed ....
What I ended up with was this, "Talented guy, but I doubt he got a PPL in 1947. That must be his father or his grandfather, since "Tom Cruise" was born as Thomas C Mapother IV"
Followed very shortly by this:
"He certainly looks young for someone who got their PPL in 1947! Nice research... not."
Indeed, indeed ....
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We made most of the mounts used on the helicopters for this movie, my business partner was down on location for a few weeks and said TC was super nice and very interested in the mechanics behind the mounts themselves.
Good on him for wanting to do it himself.
Good on him for wanting to do it himself.
It's Queenstown NZ FFS.
Not like nobody has ever shot a movie in that region using a helicopter.
I recognise a few faces in the clip. There is a wealth of experience and "advice" available.
When it comes to aerial filming equipment that is the home of the Shotover camera developed by John Coyle who also developed the Cineflex.
Of course you can't do a movie in that area without including Sutherland Falls!
As for the "spiral descent" - no big deal if done properly. I have seen guys in a H500 do it and actually climb in that attitude. You have to be
light though.
I like Toms headset - maybe it got in the way of face time.
Not like nobody has ever shot a movie in that region using a helicopter.
I recognise a few faces in the clip. There is a wealth of experience and "advice" available.
When it comes to aerial filming equipment that is the home of the Shotover camera developed by John Coyle who also developed the Cineflex.
Of course you can't do a movie in that area without including Sutherland Falls!
As for the "spiral descent" - no big deal if done properly. I have seen guys in a H500 do it and actually climb in that attitude. You have to be
light though.
I like Toms headset - maybe it got in the way of face time.
Mission Impossible behind the scenes
Helo stuff starts at about 6min. No narration, just lots of clips.
Found myself watching the rest, including great parachute drops from a C-17.
A very clean 350 with beefy camera mounts!
Found myself watching the rest, including great parachute drops from a C-17.
A very clean 350 with beefy camera mounts!