Bruce Dickinson’s love for flying began at an early age. He was only five years old when he attended his first airshow, sparking a lifelong fascination with aircraft. Coming from a family with aviation ties—his father was an engineer and his uncle worked for the Royal Air Force—his early exposure to the world of aviation laid the foundation for his eventual career as a pilot. It wasn’t until a family trip to Florida in the 1980s that he took his first flying lesson, igniting a passion that would lead to his pilot’s license in 1991.

After earning his Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Dickinson began flying commercially. He worked for British World Airlines before becoming a captain for Astraeus Airlines, a British charter airline. His role at Astraeus wasn’t limited to the cockpit; he also served as their Marketing Director, where he created promotional videos that led to his involvement in safety campaigns by the Civil Aviation Authority. This deepened his connection to aviation, solidifying his dual careers in both music and flying.

When Astraeus Airlines shut down in 2011, Dickinson didn’t step away from aviation. Instead, he launched his own company, Cardiff Aviation Ltd., in 2012. The company focuses on aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) at a former military airfield in Wales. Cardiff Aviation also serves as a pilot training center and has expanded to include contracts with airlines like Air Djibouti, where Dickinson himself piloted their inaugural flight from Cardiff to Djibouti on a Boeing 737.

Throughout his aviation career, Bruce Dickinson has been at the helm of several high-profile flights. In 2006, during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, he flew 200 UK citizens out of Lebanon. He also flew British RAF pilots back from Afghanistan in 2008 and rescued stranded holidaymakers from Egypt after XL Airways collapsed. Additionally, Dickinson has flown several high-profile sports teams, including Liverpool F.C. to Italy in 2010 and Rangers F.C. to Israel in 2007.

During Iron Maiden’s world tours in 2008, 2009, and 2011, Dickinson piloted the band’s chartered Boeing 757, known as ‘Ed Force One,’ which was named after the band's mascot. The plane was specially modified to carry the band’s crew and stage equipment to different countries. In 2016, for the "Book of Souls" tour, Iron Maiden upgraded to a Boeing 747, and Dickinson took a type rating conversion course to fly the larger aircraft. His dual role as a pilot and rockstar was captured in the documentary "Iron Maiden: Flight 666."

Beyond his work with Cardiff Aviation and touring with Iron Maiden, Dickinson is deeply involved in other aviation ventures. He is the chairman of Aeris Aviation, which distributes Eclipse jets in the UK, and is a key investor in the Airlander project, which is developing the world’s largest airship. Additionally, he serves as chairman of the UK charity Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP), helping people with disabilities obtain their pilot's licenses.

In 2014, Dickinson was diagnosed with throat cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Despite this health challenge, he remained resilient, receiving the "all clear" later that year. During his treatment, he continued to maintain his optimistic outlook, comparing the experience to managing engine failures in airplanes: “You don’t dwell on the bad stuff unless it happens.”

Even though Dickinson has reduced his involvement in commercial flights due to his age, his passion for aviation remains strong. In addition to his professional pursuits, he enjoys flying classic aircraft, including a Fokker Dr.1 tri-plane replica and a World War Two Bücker Jungmann bi-plane. His love for flying continues to define him, alongside his legendary status in the world of music.

Bruce Dickinson’s journey from rockstar to aviator is a testament to following one's passions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. Whether on stage or in the cockpit, Dickinson has proven that life’s greatest adventures come when you chase what you love.