Since humans have been able to take to the skies in aircraft and later in space rockets, there have been lots of people working on the technology behind this. From the engineers and scientists to the aviation parts suppliers like this https://www.aerfin.com/beyond-fleet-services/beyond-engine/ the aviation industry is a huge one.

However, when it comes to capturing the imagination, nothing beats the pilots themselves – here are four famous fictional pilots that have stories enjoyed by people all over the world…

Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell – The hero pilot of the blockbuster film Top Gun, probably the first fictional pilot that comes to mind for many people. Originally played by Tom Cruise in the 1980s classic, the film is still well loved to this day and was recently re-made, although many still prefer the original.

Buck Rogers – The sci fi film of the same name was a hit in the late 70s and was based on a comic strip. Buck Rogers is an astronaut who is placed into suspended animation for 500 years, when he is then re-awakened to save the earth after a war has taken place.

Steve Austin – Another film favourite, the six million dollar man who goes by the name of Steve Austin crashed and was badly wounded in the accident. After being rebuilt with bionic, nuclear-powered limbs, to be stronger and faster he became the six million dollar man.

James ‘Biggles’ Bigglesworth – The main character of the children’s adventure books written by W E Johns, Biggles as he was known was a first world war ace fighter pilot, and his books were very popular with children, with many different adventures including The Black Peril and Biggles Flies Again.