The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
John Travolta becomes a Qantas pilot
As Qantas "Ambassador-at-large" John Travolta international superstar performed a world-wide 13-city "Spirit of Friendship tour" using a B.707. The tour began in Los Angeles on 1st July and included visits to Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and New York before returning to Los Angeles. The itinerary involved about 80 flying hours and covered more than 35,000 nautical miles (64,700 chilometres).
Discussing his tour, Mr Travolta said that events over the past year had impacted on the world's sense of security and goodwill and damaged relationships between different cultures and countries. "I'm undertaking this tour to extend the hand of friendship - to reach out, to cross borders, make contact, rekindle friendships and make new friends. That's why I've teamed up with Qantas, an airline that embodies the spirit of Australia and the spirit of friendship." he said. Qantas group Manager Marketing Curtis Davies said that as Qantas "Ambassador at Large", Mr Travolta had become a Qantas employee.
Mr Travolta is piloting his own aircraft, an ex-Qantas Boeing B.707 jet purchased four years ago and specially painted in its original Qantas 1960's branding livery. Mr Travolta, an enthusiastic aviator since his childhood, fitted the plane to his own requirements and includes a children's room, his luxurious master suite with attaching ensuite, galley, bar, dining-room, crew area and lounges. Also the crew wears uniforms in 1960's fashion, comprising the very elegant hostess dress.
Since earning his wings in 1974, John Travolta has logged close to an astounding 5,000 hours for reasons both professional and personal. He has trained in cockpits as diverse as his acting roles. They include qualifying as a captain in the Gulfstream ll, Lear Jet 24, Hawker 1A, Citation 1 and 2 and Vampire Jet, and as first officer in Boeing B.707. Following extensive sessions at Qantas's Sydney headquarters and with Boeing in Seattle, he has also successfully completed B.747-400 First Officer simulator training. Qantas Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Geoff Dixon presented Mr Travolta with his wings at Los Angeles airport on 24th June 2002.
In the pictures: Boeing B.707-338C VH-EBO "City of Townsville" of Qantas taxiing at Rome/Fiumicino airport, September 19, 1979. (Aeromedia)
Mr Travolta, an enthusiastic aviator since his childhood, wearing his Qantas old-fashion uniform. (Eve Sadler, evesadler@ozemail.com.au).
(Aeromedia, July 2002)