The star of some of the most popular film franchises, also likes to take to the skies. 

As Han Solo, he completed the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. 

As Indiana Jones, he learned how to “fly, yes. Land, no.” 

And as President James Marshall, he flew a crippled Air Force One and saved his family. 

Yet Harrison Ford isn’t just an actor playing at being a pilot; he’s earned his wings in real life.

Born on July 13, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, Ford is one of the highest-earning box office A-listers in film history. 

Even in aviation, his adventures have made headlines. 

While it is easy to think of Ford now as the man who has a hangar any pilot would envy, aviation wasn’t always an easy path for Ford. 

He initially began learning to fly in the 1960s but was forced to quit when training became too expensive. 

Yet his love for aviation never waned and, after his big break in Hollywood, Ford again turned his eyes to the sky. 

Ford started flying once more in the 1990s, learning from one of his corporate pilots in a Cessna 182. 

Ford soon traded out the 182 for a Cessna 206, the airplane that would take him airborne for his first solo flight. 

Ford received his private pilot’s certificate at the age of 53. 

Not one to stop there, Ford went on to earn his helicopter ratings, although this, too, had a rocky start. 

While he practiced autorotations with an instructor in 1999, the helicopter was unable to recover power after the quick drop in altitude. 

Yet Ford and his instructor were able to avoid serious injury. 

Ford went on to achieve his helicopter rating and purchased a Bell 407GX helicopter in 2013. 

Ford additionally earned his Private Pilot Single Engine Sea, Multi Engine Land and Instrument Airplane ratings while adding on two type ratings.

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