"This is your pilot, Bruce Dickinson, speaking"

Image 1 of 2

Bruce Dickinson aboard Ed Force One

Ed Force One

The very thought of Jimmy Page taking to the controls of the Starship is too scary for words. But when Iron Maiden travel the world on their Somewhere In Time World Tour 2008, they have no such worries. Their singer, Bruce Dickinson, is a licensed commercial pilot with over 50,000 miles of experience behind him.

As seen on this clip from ABC News, Dickinson clearly knows his way around an aircraft. And in this case, it's Ed Force One, a specially commissioned and converted Astraeus Boeing 757 decorated with Maiden and Eddie designs that transports the band, its 60-strong crew and support staff and over 12 tons of equipment. "We had the idea last year of converting a jumbo jet into effectively what would be a flying 113-ton 'splitter bus' for touring and we have been working seriously on it ever since," says Dickinson. "By taking band, personnel and equipment in one form of transport it makes all the touring so much easier and overcomes the logistical difficulty of people and equipment going in different planes. We can even work out exactly how big our carbon footprint is and take care of that responsibility. We will be packing as much of the show into the plane as we possibly can for this first leg and intend to give the fans something very special to remember. And it allows me to combine two of my greatest passions, music and flying!"

Being a band of the people, Iron Maiden don't want their fans to miss out. For the group's upcoming shows in Portugal and Norway (July 9 & 10 and July 22, respectively), it's now possible to not only book a flight aboard Bruce Air but see the band in concert as well. Included in the package are the following:

- Exclusive themed Bruce Air Ed Force One goodie bag
- Personally signed photo of Bruce in Ed Force One
- Standing ticket to the Iron Maiden concert
- Bus transfers at destination to venue and to and from hotel where trip includes hotel

To secure your place on Bruce Air, simply visit the International Concerts Travel website at www.bruceair666.com or www.seegigs.co.uk and click on Bruce Air 2008 or call the ICT booking hotline on +44 (0)1733 571 616.

So when you hear a voice that says, "This is your pilot, Bruce Dickinson, speaking..." remember, it's not a dream. You're simply going Somewhere In Time.

By Joe Bosso