Iron Maiden's Dickinson saves the day for stranded Brits
By M&C News Jul 21, 2006, 17:42 GMT
http://people.monstersandcritics.co...ns_Dickinson_saves_the_day_for_stranded_Brits
Son of Worksop, Nottinghamshire, Iron Maiden singer and licensed pilot Bruce Dickinson has airlifted 200 British citizens back to the UK yesterday from war-torn Lebanon.
Renaissance rocker Dickinson, 47, flew a Boeing 757 to the island of Cyprus where he picked up the UK nationals and flew them to Gatwick Airport.
According to All Music Guide, “he was the most acclaimed and instantly recognizable vocalist to emerge from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the early-'80s.”
Dickinson made his recording debut with Iron Maiden on their Number of the Beast album in 1982.
Dickinson quit Iron Maiden in 1993 but rejoined the band in 1999.
According to his biography on Wikipedia, “his other interests include literature, writing, expert fencing, train technology and flying the Boeing 757 charter jets for the UK charter airline Astraeus where he is employed as First Officer. He was taught to fly by British Airways commercial pilot Captain Phil Dales.”
An unnamed colleague tells the wire service WENN, "He was only too keen to get involved and help. He has a strong interest in the welfare of people caught up in international conflicts and cares about what is going on."
Being that he's First Officer, this means he was actually the co-pilot on the flight; therefore, he's not Captain and not allowed to take command of the flight. Commendations go to him though for doing this. Not bad for a kid who once set booby traps for his classmates in boarding school and urinating in the headmaster's dinner.