Gede Adi Cahya Krisna: 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