It’s been a rough year for Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson. As if last December’s cancer scare that pushed back the release of Maiden’s The Book of Souls to next month and their touring to next year wasn’t enough, the singer cheated death last week while indulging in one of his favorite pasttimes, piloting planes. The Buckinghamshire Bucks Herald reports that Dickinson was flying a replica of a Fokker Dr1 triplane when he had to make an emergency landing after running low on gas. Noticing that he was running low, he diverted his plane to the RAF Halton (Royal Air Force) station, where he was able to land without incident. Air Force personnel were there to help refuel the plane. From the Bucks Herald:
Squadron leader Gary Coleman, officer commanding operations squadron at RAF Halton, said: “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 realise 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. This happy outcome is thanks to the work of Charles Strasser, the vice president of the Aircraft Operators’ and Pilots’ Association (AOPA), in getting the Strasser Scheme up and running several years back for the benefit of all.
It’s not like Dickinson doesn’t have the air experience, and he was smart enough to communicate and divert to an airport, but here’s hoping the frontman takes it easy for a while.
