AN HOMAGE TO TWENTY ONE PILOTS

So I had this idea all the way back when twenty one pilots released their album back in May. Then I completely forgot about it. A tragedy.

Did you know that Tyler and Josh are both licensed pilots? And that their band name came from their failed acting career having been in twenty single pilot episodes that never got picked up by the network? (Side Note: have you ever noticed that it’s Twenty One Pilots and not Twenty-One Pilots?)

​In fact, none of that is true. The real reason behind the band’s name is that it’s an homage to twenty-one actual pilots.* These are the men behind the name. This is their story.

21. Jake Peralta’s Dad

Terrible human, but god, he’s hilarious. Also, the first thing I ever saw Bradley Whitford in was Billy Madison, so all I think of when I see him is that which is hilarious because he’s known for so many other things.

20. Samuel L. Jackson (Snakes on a Plane)

I can’t remember if he even flies the plane in this movie at any one point, but I’m counting it.

19. Denzel Washington (Flight)

An even more terrible human, but come on, pretty incredible saving almost an entire plane full of people with that many drugs in his system.

18. Howard Hughes

The more you learn about Howard Hughes, the more bizarre it seems.

17. Tom Hardy (Dunkirk)

16. Chewbacca

Best (and sexiest) co-pilot in the galaxy.

15. Iceman

Iceman was so fucking cool.

14. Goose

Great balls of fire was a staple in my house because of Goose. RIP.

13. Maverick

Sex icon.

12. The Wright Brothers

11. Charles Lindbergh

10. Snoop Dogg (Soul Plane)

I’ve never seen Soul Plane but Snoop has to be the one of coolest pilots ever. Plus who ever does PR for him deserves all the awards.

9.Amelia Earhart

Legend. It’s too bad I can’t get lost in the Bermuda Triangle. By the way what’s the status with that nowadays? When was the last time someone went missing there? I mean, I’m surprised it hasn’t made a comeback in 2020/2021. We’ve had so many other things. Missed opportunity.

8. Memphis Belle

My dad is a product of the time he grew up in, and I watched innumerable John Wayne and World War II movies. One of these was Memphis Belle about a B-17 bomber making its last mission over Germany.

7. Han Solo

Less than 12 parsecs. Nuff said.

6. Porco Rosso

I think this is my favorite Studio Ghibli movie. I don’t know if that’s anyone else’s favorite, but I think it’s incredible. That pig can fly.

5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Airplane!)

Best movie cameo in all of cinema. KD going after people on Twitter is the modern-day equivalent of this scene.

4. Ted Striker (Airplane!)

He might have a drinking problem, but goddamn did he land that plane.

3. Sully

We all know the story.

2. The Tuskegee Airmen

1. Gene Roddenberry

If you don’t know the comic by the oatmeal about this guy you should read it here. It’s the coolest story ever. And it’s a huge motivation for me to create.

*None of the information in this post has been fact checked.