Debrief

You know him as the goofy doctor J.D. Dorian on the hit TV show Scrubs and as the writer, director, and star of the breakout film Garden State. But the multitalented Braff is also a passionate pilot and aircraft owner who earned his private pilot certificate in November 2008 in a Cirrus SR20.

Getting interested… I was always interested in aviation, but I never thought I would get my license. I was given an introductory lesson. The second I had the experience I really got the bug. It made me want to fly every chance I could get.

Building confidence… My instructor and I had miscalculated my cross-country hours. I was supposed to take the test that day. He said, “You know what, Las Vegas there and back, it’s three hours.” I flew to Vegas, landed, got a bottle of water, and flew home. I’m probably the only person to fly into Vegas, have a bottle of water, and fly home.

Anxious moment… Flying across the country we decided to go into [this airport] with a 20-knot crosswind at night. But my instructor was totally cool. He wasn’t putting his hand anywhere near the yoke. At a certain point I said, “Can you put your hand on the yoke?” He said, “No, you’re doing fine.” And I said, “No, put your hand on the blank blank yoke, please.”

flying is great… It’s so fun to be learning something new again. That moment when something clicks and you finally get it, that’s such a wonderful thing to have in your life.

Getting others into aviation… A lot of people have the same daydream, but they don’t pull the trigger. This one friend in Jersey, I bought him a few [flight] lessons and he’s totally into it. But I’d have to be his sugar daddy.

Advice… Keep going. I had days where I came down and I thought 'I’m never going to get this.' Don’t rush yourself. There’s no better feeling than getting your license.