8 celebrities you didn’t know are licensed pilots: Prince Harry and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez just won an aviation award – but Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie and John Travolta can all fly too

At the event, Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchezan experienced helicopter pilot and founder of aerial film company Black Ops Aviation, also received the prestigious award alongside Prince Harry.

As internet users continue to debate whether Prince Harry's award was undeserved, here are seven celebrities you probably didn't know were licensed pilots.

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1. Tom Cruise

“Top Gun” star Tom Cruise owns multiple planes and is licensed to fly them all. Photo: Tribune News ServiceKnown as an adrenaline junkie, the Top Gun star often performs his own stunts for his action-packed films.Tom Cruise performs his own stunts in his action films, including in the air. Photo: Paramount Pictures/Tribune News Service

It's no surprise that Cruise not only owns multiple planes, but he's also licensed to fly them all. He received his pilot's license in 1994 and can fly helicopters, fighter jets, private planes and even commercial flights, according to Sportskeeda.

2. Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford had a series of aviation accidents. Photo: AFP/Getty ImagesFord is a keen pilot who got his pilot's license in the 1960s, long before he became an actor. The Indiana Jones Star has been called a “living legend of aviation” in the past, although unfortunately, according to ABC News, he is more known for his plane accidents and near-fatal incidents that almost cost him his driver's license.

Ford's most recent near-fatal incident occurred in 2020, according to NBC, when the 81-year-old actor accidentally crossed a runway at Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles.

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3. Angelina Jolie

In addition to being an accomplished actress, director and humanitarian, Jolie is the proud owner of several aircraft and has been a licensed pilot since 2004.

The “Maleficent” actress' love of the sky began with an attempt to impress her eldest son Maddox, 22, who was obsessed with airplanes at the age of three, according to People.

“If I could actually fly a plane when I was four years old, I would be like Superman to him,” Jolie said.

Since then, Jolie has also acquired qualifications to fly helicopters.

4. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt received his pilot's license in the 1990s. Photo: FilmMagic

Like his now ex-wife Jolie, the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” actor is also an experienced pilot.

Pitt earned his private pilot's license in the 1990s and is authorized to fly single- and multi-engine aircraft.

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5. Gisele Bündchen

Model Giselle Bündchen was pregnant when she got her pilot's license. Photo: @gisele/InstagramBündchen can do everything. Except that I'm one of them highest paid models in the worldShe is an experienced surfer, horse rider and helicopter pilot. According to Essentially Sports, the Brazilian supermodel was already one month pregnant when she got her pilot's license.

6. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was in the US Air Force but never flew during his service. Photo: `

Long before he became an actor, Morgan Freeman served in the US Air Force. However, he never flew during his service and instead worked as a ground mechanic, according to Slash Gear.

Freeman did not receive his private pilot's license until he was 65.

7. Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil also received an instrument rating. @drphil/InstagramPhil McGraw – better known as Dr. Phil – is not only a licensed pilot, he has also undergone intensive training to earn an instrument rating, arguably one of the most valuable and difficult ratings for a pilot.

8. John Travolta

John Travolta has been a licensed pilot since he was 22, but this legendary Grease star is the gift that keeps on giving. In 2022, Travolta expanded his flying skills with a third license, authorizing him to fly Boeing 747, 707 and 737 aircraft.