ED FORCE ONE

Ed Force One is a Boeing 757-200 operated by the British airline Astraeus converted into the specialized and eye-catching Iron Maiden travel plane. It came about after lead singer Bruce Dickinson gained a commercial pilot license when taking time out of the band and became a charter pilot for the air company. He became a captain for Astraeus, although his chances to take on the task full time were curtailed after rejoining the band in 2000 for the Brave New World album and tour (this was due to the aggressive touring of the schedule of the band).

He continues to fly commercially (sometimes with the airline offering special flights for UK fans to book tickets on that he would be to captain of, although these were not on 'the' Ed Force One plane, they could be considered the same thing as the plane was the same, it just did not have the custom livery). The name of the plane was selected via the official Iron Maiden website, on which they asked fans to submit their ideas for what the plane should be called.

In October 2007, Iron Maiden announced that for the Somewhere Back in Time Tour, they had commissioned the airline for which Bruce flies to use their one of their 12 strong fleet as a touring aircraft around the world . Contrary to popular belief, it is not actually owned or operated by the band as many websites report, but instead remains an Astraeus plane and is leased by the band for use. The plane was repainted, with the band's famous logo spreading from the cockpit to the wing in blue text with a yellow border, the tail of the plane has a giant Eddie painted on it from the Powerslave era, with lightning effect behind him. The name of the tour and it's year is also written along the side of the plane in a smaller font, while the engines again follow the blue, white and yellow effect.

As a person who work inside the airport. I have been so lucky to saw the two color schemes from the two different tour themes. The first one in 2009 with aircraft registration G-OJIB, when Ed force One staying overnight for refueling on Somewhere Back in Time Tour. While the second aircraft, just left Bali on February 21st, 2011 with registration G-STRX. And with a little negotiation with air crew and after exposed under the sun for almost one hour, they finally let me came in to see the cabin and take some pictures. And for the cockpit, ssstttt...I did a blind shot, so fortunate the image came up in a good focus.

Please have a look for the images below, and find out how serious Capt. Bruce Dickinson working inside the cockpit.

2009 - Somewhere Back in Time Tour

2011 - The Final Frontier Tour

 

So long, thanks for coming, thanks for the great show too, will I ever see you again???

IRON MAIDEN LIVE IN BALI

30 years, 80 million album sales, close to 2000 live performances, countless satisfied customers and now 15 studio albums of unerring quality and power: Iron Maiden have more than earned their proudly-held status as undisputed heavy metal champions of the world.

Founded by bassist Steve Harris in the mid '70s, Iron Maiden were already firmly established as heavy metal's brightest hopes when they stormed the world with their third album (and first with vocalist Bruce Dickinson) The Number Of The Beast in 1982. Unstoppable throughout the decade that followed, Maiden recorded and toured relentlessly with seven new studio albums and seven World Tours in the '80s alone , cementing their reputation as the hardest-working band on the planet and further strengthening a unique identity and remarkable relationship with their fans.

With the unmistakable figure of band mascot Eddie adorning every album cover, T-shirt and backdrop, Iron Maiden created a world of their own; one that welcomed fans from every culture, creed and social sphere with a guarantee of heartfelt conviction and unprecedented professionalism.

A five-piece band for the first 20 years of their career, in 1999 Iron Maiden became a six-piece, and established the ultimate Iron Maiden line-up of Bruce Dickinson on vocals, Steve Harris on bass, Nicko McBrain on drums and "the three amigos" -- Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers - on guitar. This line-up has scaled breath-taking new heights and become increasingly fearless and boldly creative since the release of the Brave New World album in 2000.

With both 2003's diverse and ingenious Dance Of Death album and its dark and daring follow-up, 2006's A Matter Of Life And Death, they dazzled fans and critics alike. With each successive tour, whether revisiting classic songs from their first few albums or playing A Matter Of Life And Death in its entirety, Maiden accrued countless new admirers, momentum building all the while.

This brave new Maiden era reached an astonishing zenith during the band's Somewhere Back In Time Tour that began in February 2008 and initially took the band 50,000 miles around the world in 45 days, flying in their own specially chartered Boeing 757, Ed Force One, piloted by Bruce Dickinson, a qualified airline captain, traversing the planet, from India to Costa Rica, Australia to Argentina, Sao Paolo to Tokyo. Along with tours of Europe and North America, the Somewhere Back In Time tour saw Maiden play 89 concerts in front of two million fans in 38 countries on five Continents, forging new relationships with countries they had never performed in before and strengthening ties with nations that had long been part of Maiden's global family. This unique undertaking was celebrated in 2009's widely praised, award-winning Flight 666 movie, and subsequent DVD release which topped the music DVD charts in 25 countries.

Proudly refusing to take their collective foot from the accelerator, and picking up their first ever Brit Award along the way for Best British Live Act 2009, Iron Maiden are now back with a brand new studio album,  just over a year on from the end of that mammoth tour. The Final Frontier is the band's 15th album in 30 years and it is plainly one of the strongest and most wildly inventive things they have ever produced; a 76-minute tour-de-force of soaring melodies, thunderous heaviness and astonishing compositional bravery it looks certain to be regarded as a new landmark in the band's career. (Source: http://www.ironmaiden.com/index.php?categoryid=14)

On February 20^th 2011, Iron Maiden has held a perfect live performance in Garuda Wisnu Kencana. We as the fans of Iron Maiden were so lucky, because Bali is only a small island but the beauty inside it has attracted a super heavy metal band even to perform and enjoying the land of paradise. As Bruce said over the performance, that this is their second visit to the island, after in 2009 on Somewhere Back In Time Tour, Ed Force One landed for refuel purposes. Somehow the band decided to stay overnight and finally planned to do a performance by someday.

As their big fans, and played lots of their songs with my band when I was in senior high school, this is my big chance to witnessing my idols. There’s no way I should miss the show and nothing can stop me to watch them live.

And not to forget, as an airport authority I had a big chance to meet them personally and take pictures and had their autographs on my uniform. So close to their 10.672 tons of stage equipments and the whole 60 crews including the opening act band; Rise to Remain.

Please have a look for the whole story in images:

THE  ARRIVAL

Ed Force One

Nicko McBrain - Drums

Janick Gers

Dave Murray - guitar

Steve Harris- Founder, bass

Meet The captain of the plane and the band, Mr. Bruce Dickinson

Hey, where's Adrian Smith? Has somebody seen him?

Opening Band

A pose after the crowd

Lt. Ketut, my access for the crowd

Wow..Upin Ipin are big fans too

sssttt...my Boss is Maiden's secret admirer

THE CARGO

So..Eddie is here...!

Speakers cabinet

 

Remember, 10.672 tons of cargo, and good luck guys !

THE SHOW

Balinese fans welcoming the band uniquely

My brother, Dwi. He was lucky gaining free access

satisfied !!! 30 years old band and I don't have to wait anymore

THE DEPARTURE

The sign of close

Hello Janick, you're the only one with classic rock style. Vintage!!!

another upin ipin story

you know steve, only you has made my two uniforms retired with your autographs

I said "Babi Guling is great,steve" and he replied "blood..!"

big fans awaiting

Hey, here he is Adrian Smith, where have you been man?

Finally Lt. Ketut pick the right band personnel, after he dragged the band crew to take picture with him hahahaha

happy!!! 5 out of 6 autographs. Of course Bruce Dickinson should be on board earlier, he's the pilot and we miss his sign

That's all the big story. And coming up soon what's the FLIGHT 666 is, and what is it inside the cabin. Is it full of Eddie's pictures? The cockpit?  find out later. Will be Right back !!!