Top 5 Aviation Movies
If you’re thinking about becoming a pilot then you definitely need to be up to date with your aviation movies. Spread across multiple genres from war to romance to comedy, aviation movies have something for every aspiring pilot. In this article, we’re going to look at the top 5 must-watch aviation movies before you start flight school training.
Top Gun (1986)
When someone says “aviation movie” Top Gun is always the first movie that comes to mind. Top Gun is one of the most successful action films of the 80s starring one of the most successful action stars of all time – Tom Cruise. The movie follows Maverick, a young cocky pilot (played by Cruise) through training at the elite Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School. The movie even earned an Oscar for the song “Take My Breath Away.”
Black Hawk Down (2001)
This Oscar-winning aviation movie was based on a real event that took place in Somali in 1993. Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down during what is called the Battle of Mogadishu. An elite group of U.S. soldiers endures an 18-hour firefight with Somali militia before escaping. The movie is based on a best-selling book, Black Hawk Down written by Mark Bowden. The movie earned an Oscar for best sound.
Airplane! (1980)
While the first two movies on our list are military aviation movies, this one is pure comedy. In fact, it’s widely regarded as one of the all-time funniest movies ever made. The movie is about a former pilot who is too afraid to fly and follows a whacky cast of characters including a glue-sniffing traffic controller, and a blow-up-doll named Otto.
Sully (2016)
This famous aviation movie features one of the all-time great actors, Tom Hanks. The movie is based on the true story of Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s emergency landing of an Airbus A320 on the Hudson River. The movie storyline focuses on the aftermath of Sully’s heroic actions. If you’re looking to become a commercial airline pilot, this aviation movie is a must-watch.
The Aviator (2004)
The Aviator is a biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese. DiCaprio plays one of the most famous aviators in history, Howard Hughes. The film is full of drams, action, top-notch acting, and beautiful imagery. Many of the action scenes required the creation and use of miniature airplanes to create special effects. The movie was nominated for a number of Oscars and earned DiCaprio a nomination for best actor.
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