When Bruce Dickinson isn't fronting Iron Maiden, he enjoys life as an airline pilot. Evidently he's also got a fondness for vintage-style airplanes, since he had to make an emergency landing this past week when flying his replica Fokker Dr1 triplane.
Dickinson was flying the World War I-style aircraft when he diverted to the Royal Air Force Halton after he began to run low on fuel. Luckily, all was well, as Dickinson landed safely and kept the plane at the base for a few days.
The RAF's Gary Coleman praised the heavy metal vocalist for the improvised landing. He said [via The Bucks Herald/Blabbermouth]:
We applaud Bruce Dickinson's decision to divert to RAF Halton rather than press to his destination with potentially low fuel. To see such a well-regarded pilot, and world-renowned rock singer, make this decision is great for our student pilots to see. It makes them realize that anyone can find themselves low on fuel due to unforeseen circumstances and that the right decision is to divert. He really does have a magnificent Fokker Triplane, so it was a pleasure to provide it with a home for a few nights until we sent him on his way.
Below, watch some fan-filmed footage of Dickinson flying his Triplane. He's a member of the Great War Display Team.
Meanwhile, Iron Maiden will release their album Book of Souls on September 4 through Parlophone Records/Sanctuary Copyrights/BMG.
Dickinson was flying the World War I-style aircraft when he diverted to the Royal Air Force Halton after he began to run low on fuel. Luckily, all was well, as Dickinson landed safely and kept the plane at the base for a few days.
The RAF's Gary Coleman praised the heavy metal vocalist for the improvised landing. He said [via The Bucks Herald/Blabbermouth]:
We applaud Bruce Dickinson's decision to divert to RAF Halton rather than press to his destination with potentially low fuel. To see such a well-regarded pilot, and world-renowned rock singer, make this decision is great for our student pilots to see. It makes them realize that anyone can find themselves low on fuel due to unforeseen circumstances and that the right decision is to divert. He really does have a magnificent Fokker Triplane, so it was a pleasure to provide it with a home for a few nights until we sent him on his way.
Below, watch some fan-filmed footage of Dickinson flying his Triplane. He's a member of the Great War Display Team.
Meanwhile, Iron Maiden will release their album Book of Souls on September 4 through Parlophone Records/Sanctuary Copyrights/BMG.