What do most Aviators do during these times? They watch a series, movie or read a book. This is a good time, after you are done studying, to watch a good aviation movie. I listed my favorite ones so you can check them out:
For the Action aviator: Top Gun
“I feel the need….. The need for speed” If there ever is a movie that I have watched too many times it probably is Top Gun. This is just an instant classic. If you are a pilot and you have not seen this movie. Shame on you, go watch it! I never cry, but what happens to Goose gets me everytime. Great film to watch with a big bag of popcorn.
Here is a clip of the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRv2cVF0CdM&t=326s
For the History Buff: Dunkirk
The focus of this movie is not on the flying per se, it is more on what happened at Dunkirk in 1940. However, the aerial photography is top notch and the sound of those Merlin Rolls Royce engines is fantastic. This film does something a lot of movies can’t pull off; you really feel like you are there.
Here is a clip of the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z52vVsMdBkc
For the airline pilot: Sully
Everybody knows what happened on that day in New York; Captain Sully, together with his First Officer landed an Airbus a320 on the Hudson river. Miraculously everybody survived the ordeal and Sully was hailed a hero of the nation, and aviation industry. But, did you know what happened behind the scenes and in the aftermath of his experience? How did the crew handle the whole situation during the flight? The movie shows everything that happened in the cockpit and after.
Here is the trailer of the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjKEXxO2KNE
For the Nostalgic pilot: Memphis Belle
Not a lot of people have seen this movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. There are not a lot of WW2 flying movies out there. This movie is about the last mission of a crew of B-17 bombers and their experience fighting in WW2. It’s amazing how much damage the aircraft took and still made it home. That is why the B-17 is a legend!
Here is a clip of the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MrxdKGZaWI
For the Funny pilot: Airplane
“We have clearance, Clarence – roger, Roger – what’s our vector victor” When I think about the movie Airplane I immediately get a smile on my face. This movie is just pure joy. It’s filled with classic scenes and lines. It’s slapstick comedy mixed with aviation and I’m sure you’ll get a couple of laughs out of it.
Here is a funny clip from Airplane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfDUkR3DOFw
Do you have any other tips? I also really enjoyed films like The Right Stuff & The Aviator. Share your favorite aviation movies in the comment section below!
