While some bands travel in jet set style, Iron Maiden actually live the jet set life on their own, personalized Boeing 747.  The band released pictures and Periscope video of their new plane, “Ed Force One,” on their social media as they picked it up last night at Cardiff Airport in Wales.

The plane, named after beloved band mascot/zombie “Eddie,” has their upcoming tour dates and logos emblazoned on the sides, and can hold the massive amount of gear and crew it takes to put on a massive metal onslaught night after night.  Though an expensive way to travel, the band does manage to cut costs in a rather unique way… they pilot the plane themselves.

While the idea of a heavy metal band piloting their own plane conjures up images of crazed rock stars wrestling controls away from scared pilots and fiery crashes, Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson is actually a fully licensed, professional pilot.  He’s been a commercial pilot for years, starting during the period in the early nineties when he had left the band.

Though not strong in the practical subjects that would get him on the path to piloting, Dickinson eventually earned his pilot’s license and has flown for airlines and even helped ferry soldiers home for England.  He’s logged thousands of hours at the wheel of jumbo jets, and has said it’s where he is at his most comfortable.  Piloting is one of the multi-faceted Dickinson’s many talents; he’s also a world ranked fencer, author, radio host and even brewer. 

Watch some Periscope plane footage here and here.