Christopher Reeves was a Pilot?

[MBDiagMan]

I started watching an old movie "The Aviator" yesterday. In a scene he was taking off in an old biplane, I backed it up on the DVR and watched carefully. It appeared that it really was him flying the plane.

I paused the movie and googled around to learn that he indeed was a pilot and was one of the few that was allowed to fly on screen as well as privately.

I don't know how many takes were required, but he did a beautiful job with the taildragger.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Given Ford's accident record, I can understand the insurers' reluctance.

I don't think so, since I can't find any accidents involving him prior to the release of "Six Day Seven Nights" in 1998. He had a helicopter crash during training in 1999, and a runway excursion incident in I believe 2000. Both after the film had completed.