How Nathan Fielder Takes to the Skies: Inside His Boeing 737 Adventure Through a Licensing Loophole

Nathan Fielder is taking a big leap — he’s learned to fly. In the season 2 finale of The Rehearsal, he shares that he’s earned his pilot’s license after two years of training.

The episode dives into Fielder’s journey. He remarks on how starting this project helped him better understand the world of pilots. But it wasn’t easy. Fielder struggled, especially when it came to landing the plane. Most aspiring pilots can fly solo after just 10 to 30 hours of training, but he took over 120 hours and months of practice before he met his instructors’ standards for landings.

His persistence paid off when he finally obtained his pilot’s license. That allowed him to stage a major stunt — flying a commercial-size aircraft with actors on board, mimicking a typical flight’s cockpit dynamics. He wanted to showcase how important open communication is among pilots to avoid misunderstandings that can lead to accidents.

Fielder acknowledges he doesn’t have the usual 1,500 flight hours required for a commercial pilot. However, he exploits a legal loophole that permits him to train directly on a Boeing 737, provided he doesn’t technically work for an airline. He cleverly arranges for actors to fill the seats, thereby sidestepping the rule against flying paying passengers.

Before taking off, Fielder undergoes a medical review, where he faces a challenging question about mental health. He admits to feeling anxious, especially about the flight. Seeking clarity, he even gets an fMRI scan to assess his mental state, highlighting his worries about how conditions like anxiety could affect a pilot’s career. In exploring these themes, the show taps into a broader conversation about mental health awareness in high-stress professions.

During the flight, Fielder encourages his co-pilot to share any concerns openly. He even introduces an acting exercise to promote honest communication. This brings to light a critical aspect of flying: many pilots may hesitate to voice their worries during flights, which can have serious implications.

Successful takeoffs and landings aside, the finale unveils a surprising moment. After a thrilling flight, Fielder checks his voicemail for the results of his medical scan. In a shocking turn, he deletes the message, hinting at the industry’s unspoken pressure to ignore mental health challenges to maintain their licenses.

As the season wraps up, Fielder reveals he’s flying empty aircraft as a side gig, taking him across various skies, including the Atlantic Ocean. His confidence shines through, even as he reflects on the shared trust pilots must have in one another.

The season leaves viewers contemplating the complexities of mental health in aviation. This exploration resonates, especially in a time when awareness of such issues is more critical than ever.

For interested readers, The Rehearsal is available to watch on Max.

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