Tom Cruise honored by the Grande Medal of the French Aero-Club

American actor Tom Cruise, internationally known for his role as fighter plane pilot in Top Gun In 1986, was honored by the great medal of the French Aero-Club Saturday, February 8 “For his contribution to the history of aviation and for having inspired the pilots of tomorrow”.

This is the highest distinction that this institution can award, one of the oldest French associations of still active aviators. The French stews Thomas Pesquet and Claudie Haigneré were present at the ceremony.

In the Patrol of France as an honorary basis

In 2022, the actor member of Scientology – organization considered as a sect in France -, which obtained his private pilot license in 1994, had been admitted to the ranks of the Patrouille de France as an honorary basis. The announcement was made on the occasion of the second edition of the hunting aviation congress.

More recently, he was appointed, in July 2024, knight of arts and letters by the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.