Private jet pilot's secret life from Paul Newman's whisky demands celebrity dogs

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Adam Twidell is CEO of PrivateFly and a respected and experienced pilot
He reveals what it's like flying celebrities and billionaires around the world
Twidell lifts the lid on scary moments and bizarre passenger requests

Published: 08:12 EST, 15 July 2015 | Updated: 02:46 EST, 16 July 2015

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From flying the rich and famous around the world to hosting the ultimate mile-high party in the sky, no two days are ever the same for a private jet pilot.

Adam Twidell has been a private jet pilot for 11 years. He currently flies the eight-seater Citation XLS+ - popular with wealthy passengers the world over - but has also spent 10 years in the RAF, flying the Hercules C-130 in the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mr Twidell admits that each day is an adventure. MailOnline Travel caught up with the 43-year-old, who is the CEO of PrivateFly, to find out more about his high-flying life.

PrivateFly CEO and pilot Adam Twidell says no two days are ever the same flying private jets

So has your career been varied?

'I flew all manner of things in the back – from military personnel, to cars... and lots of things I can’t really talk about.

'Similarly discretion is the absolute watchword as a private jet pilot. So you usually have to be very careful when talking about your passengers – that’s why they fly privately after all.'

It's all about the rich and famous, right?

'From flying the famous, to the unknown billionaires, being a private jet pilot is an opportunity to get to know your passengers in a very intimate environment. There is no locked cockpit door on a private jet – the cabin is open to the flight deck and so you get to know your passengers well, when you’re six miles high, travelling at 500mph.

'When a celebrity, sports star or politician boards the aircraft and the doors close, they feel a sense of sanctuary. And we as the crew feel do everything we can to help them feel relaxed and unwind.

Captain Twidell admits while he has many famous and unknown billionaires to fly, trips for special occasions are also popular

'I have shared some memorable moments with some of the most famous people on earth. Like the time I flew Paul Newman to some of his charity locations across Eastern Europe.

'It was a gruelling schedule, with a number of stops. On boarding the aircraft for the last flight of the day he looked exhausted and said “Adam, I need a drink”.

'I suggested a cold beer and Mr Newman turned on me and with a wry smile snapped "Beer? Captain, in World War II we washed our face in beer, give me a whisky!" (Paul Newman was a tail gunner in the USA Navy).

'But it can be just as much as a pleasure to fly people who aren’t famous. I have flown a lady on her 100th birthday and lots of flights booked for special occasions, such as weddings and birthdays.'

And what about 'celebrity tantrums'?

'Most of the celebrities I’ve flown are absolutely charming and not too demanding. But one or two have proved exceptions to the rule.

'One very high profile passenger was so greatly attached to his tiny dog, and I had to go to great lengths to keep both of them happy.

'The owner was very concerned about the dog being nervous on the flight. So I received a long list of written instructions beforehand. This included pronouncing the dog’s name in a very specific way (it was a very long name) and to always make eye contact and smile broadly when addressing it.'

One celebrity and their little dog posed a problem for Captain Twidell

Have you had any accidents?

'Luckily, by the Grace of God, I have not had any serious airborne emergencies I could not handle. Every pilot will have unforeseen circumstances, but it’s something we are well trained for.

'But I have made a few great mistakes on the ground. Such as the time I was preparing to fly some passengers to Bucharest. Only by chance finding out that they had booked to fly to Budapest.

'Luckily Air Traffic Control helped me change the flight plan in the air and the passengers were none the wiser.

'Looking cool under pressure is in the DNA of a pilot, so when things do go wrong, it’s important that we keep it from the passengers as much as possible.'

What has been your scariest moment?

'One of my most nerve-wracking flights was a bad weather landing at Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. The airport has a short runway of just 4,350 ft, so there is little margin for error.

'The passenger was a new aircraft owner, who was himself a small aircraft pilot. He had learnt to fly at Enniskillen years beforehand and always dreamed of being flown back there in his own private jet one day.

'He had some special guests onboard and everything had to be perfect. It all ended well, but I remember feeling a real sense of pressure that day.'

What is your funniest story on the job?

'I was crossing the Atlantic on a brand new aircraft with the new owner asleep in the back. This aircraft was equipped with a microwave in the galley. And having never used a microwave at 50,000ft before, I was desperate to give it a go.

'Luckily for me my 1st officer was an ex-Virgin flight attendant with great culinary skills in the galley. He prepared two camera-ready hot dogs with thick ketchup and mustard zigzags, only to place his on his seat.

'He then completely forgot it was there and promptly sat right in it. Crying with laughter I watched him whipping down his trousers in the cabin, trying not to wake up the passengers.'

The cockpit door is not locked on a private jet flight, which means the children can see a master at work

DID YOU KNOW...

Most private jets don't have locks on the cockpit doors, and some don't even have doors.

Mr Twidell said: 'Private jets don't have locked flight deck doors like airlines are forced to have. In fact most small and medium sized private jets don't even have doors to the cockpit, just a curtain that can be pulled across if required.

'Having no doors is another subject... passengers can see everything and so when warning lights are illuminated you have to react very calmly as you know you are being watched!

'No doors also means that pilots can see what the passengers are doing and, like a butler, this requires a lot of discretion at times.'

What is your favourite airport to land at?

'One of the great things about being a private jet pilot is the diversity of your routes – no two days are the same and I have flown to so many different airports over the years.

'There are many memorable landings but one that stands out for me is San Sebastian in Spain, an amazing approach and landing over high terrain.'

Do you have to say you're a pilot when off-duty?

'You don’t have to officially declare you’re a pilot when travelling on an airline flight and thankfully I have never been called in to help in a flight deck emergency. But often, as a private jet pilot, your commute to work involves flying by airline into your starting airport. So I’ll be in uniform.

'Without fail when you sit down in your seat the passenger next to you will ask "Should you not be up at the front?" Then roar with laughter and fire questions about your most dangerous flights ever... people seem to enjoy scaring themselves.

'It can be tempting to oblige on grumpy days. During takeoff run, I have been known to turn and say “that didn't sound good", that seems to keep them quiet for the rest of the flight.'

What makes your job so good?

'Being a private jet pilot is very much a job about customer service, as well as technical skill. I love the fact that anything is possible - if a passengers wants catering from a certain restaurant, or they want the aircraft branded with their logo... it's about working with your crew to making things happen.

'Where I do draw the line is with my uniform. Once I was asked if I would wear a certain costume and colour to fit the passenger’s theme for their birthday celebrations. And another wanted me to wear jeans to create a casual atmosphere. I had to say no - for me, my pilot’s uniform is very much part of the role and mindset.

PrivateFly's animation explains their private jet charter network