Arnold Palmer was an American golfer who won many tournaments, including the US PGA three times. Like any other athlete, he needed to be in every corner of the world to participate in the championships. He flew on many private jets and aircraft during his career and, like many celebrities of the post-war era, also took to the skies as a pilot, giving him the nickname of “Captain Arnie.”
Which aircraft did Palmer fly?
According to Arnold Palmer’s website, his contact with aircraft, initially to overcome his fear of flying, quickly turned into a passion for piloting. He believed that learning how to fly was the best way to overcome his fears, and he quickly began to collect aircraft that he would personally take command of during his free time.
In 1963, Arnold Palmer added an Aero Commander 560F to his aircraft collection. This small turboprop plane could carry up to 7 passengers. Prior to this, he owned an Aero Commander 500 but opted for the newer 560F model despite expressing some dissatisfaction with its speed.
Arnie and the Jet Age
In 1966, Arnold stepped into the era of jet propulsion by acquiring a Rockwell Jet Commander, a model created by Aero Commander. This private aircraft was equipped with two GE CJ610 turbojet engines and completed its maiden flight on January 27, 1963. Palmer was among the first to own this type of aircraft, marking his presence in the early days of jet aviation.
According to AIN Online, the Jet Commander, priced at $500,000 per unit, quickly became a favorite among pilots thanks to its exceptional handling capabilities. Passengers also praised its interior, particularly the unobstructed views from all seats, which were made possible by the unique design placing the entire cabin ahead of the wing, providing impressive panoramic views.
An Israeli company later bought Aero Commander before being bought back by a US company that would later become Gulfstream. Some features, like the large windows that originated from the Jet Commander, are still present on modern-day Gulfstreams.
A record-setting aviator
Arnie later became a recurring customer for Lear Jets and Cessna aircraft, despite his earlier involvement with Aero Commander in the 1960s. Having owned many different Cessna aircraft, the final aircraft he took delivery of was a Cessna Citation X, which he piloted with great skill.
Photo: : Kevin Porter | Shutterstock
According to the National Air and Space Museum (USA), Arnold bought the first production model of the type and set one of the many records the Citation X now holds, including the one set in September 1997. The golfer flew the jet at 473 knots on a 5,000 km closed course.
Arnold’s final flight
Arnie Palmer had a remarkable aviation career that spanned nearly five decades. Flying Magazine said his final flight occurred on January 31, 2011. At age 81, he flew his last flight using his
Cessna Citation
X from Palm Springs, California, to his home in Orlando.
This flight marked the conclusion of his tenure in the captain’s seat. Upon landing, he decided not to renew his pilot certificate, which had expired that very day. He continued to fly but only in the passenger seat.
About his personal lifeArnold Palmer was also an accomplished golfer. He was considered one of the most influential golfers of the 1960s, winning three US PGAs and the prestigious Ryder Cup.
After flying for nearly 55 years, Arnold Palmer accumulated nearly 20,000 hours of flight time across various aircraft. His personal website highlights the significance of his decision to learn to fly, ranking it alongside marrying his wife, Winnie, and choosing a career in golf.
In 1999, the Westmoreland County Airport in Latrobe was renamed Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in honor of Palmer’s 70th birthday. The airport, with a rich history dating back to the 1920s, underwent several name changes before being dedicated to the golf legend. A statue of Arnold Palmer, sculpted by Zenos Frudakis and depicting him holding a golf club, was unveiled at the airport’s entrance in 2007.
On September 25, 2016, Palmer passed away at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while awaiting heart surgery shortly after his 87th birthday. He had been admitted three days earlier for heart testing.
Following his funeral, his remains were cremated, and his ashes were dispersed at Latrobe Country Club in his hometown. His estate, valued at $875 million, was apportioned among his two daughters, his second wife, who received $10 million, eight employees given $25,000 each, and his charity, Arnie’s Army, which received $10 million.
The man who was nicknamed “The King” was a passionate golfer and aviator who flew airplanes and played golf for most of his life. He set records and won awards. It is even reported that he flew the 747 before it entered service, though Simple Flying couldn’t confirm this independently.