Charlie Sheen was invited into cockpit by pilot who wanted to meet him and next thing he knew he was flying the plane
Published on Nov 05, 2025 at 5:05 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Nov 05, 2025 at 5:31 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Charlie Sheen was once invited to fly an Air France airliner for 68 seconds.
Sheen was on his way home, but when he was recognized by the crew, the captain invited him into the cockpit.
He apparently actually flew the airliner without autopilot.
But there’s a very good reason why this would never happen today.
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How Charlie Sheen ended up flying a plane
Charlie Sheen talked about his brief ‘career’ as an Air France pilot during an episode of a podcast with Adam Carolla.
Charlie Sheen was on his way home with his then-wife Donna, on a plane, when the crew recognized him.
The captain apparently invited him into the cockpit and allowed him to fly the plane for 68 seconds before turning the autopilot back on.
Taking off and landing is hard, but flying the plane while it’s in the air is relatively safe as long as the captain is there.
This probably explains why the captain decided to turn autopilot back on after just 68 seconds.
It’s important to point out that this happened pre-9/11, which is one of two reasons why this would never happen today.
The reasons why this would never happen again today
There are two reasons no airline captain would ever let anyone fly the plane – not even for a second.
They probably wouldn’t even let anyone into the cockpit unless the plane was on the ground.
The first reason is practical.
Today, celebrities like Charlie Sheen don’t really fly commercial.
They generally fly private.
But that’s not the main reason – the real reason is safety.
When it comes to aviation, there’s the pre-9/11 era and the post-9/11 era.
Pre-9/11, cockpit doors were sometimes open and pilots chatted with passengers, and a famous actor like Sheen could just stroll in and take control.
Today, cockpits are like fortresses and access is forbidden, because pilots are trained to treat any breach as a potential threat.
And allowing passengers (including famous ones) to touch the yoke isn’t just unsafe or against policy – it’s a federal crime.
Charlie Sheen’s story isn’t just wild – it’s a time capsule and a glimpse into an era that no longer exists.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
