Nathan Fielder Takes to the Skies
Nathan Fielder is soaring high — and making impressive landings. After investigating airline safety and pilot dynamics over five episodes, the mastermind behind Nathan for You announced his acquisition of a pilot’s license during the season 2 finale of The Rehearsal.
This extended episode chronicles Fielder’s two-year journey to learn to fly. “When I first embarked on this project, I thought the best way to comprehend pilots was to become one myself,” he remarks via voiceover. “However, I quickly realized I was not a natural, especially when it came to landing.”
The comedian notes that while most aspiring pilots can typically fly solo after just 10 to 30 hours of training, it took him over 120 hours and seven months to land planes satisfactorily. “I was such an unusual case that they started rotating me among instructors to figure out what was wrong,” he shares.
Ultimately, Fielder succeeded in earning his pilot’s license, paving the way for a key stunt in the finale: flying a full-sized commercial aircraft with passengers to simulate typical cockpit dynamics. “There’s so much unspoken in a cockpit—so many nuances,” Fielder explains to aviation expert John Goglia. He brilliantly outlines a plan to operate a flight while bypassing the usual 1,500 hours of flying experience typically required.
Fielder cleverly identifies a loophole allowing him to fly a plane full of actors. After undergoing training in Henderson, NV, and acquiring a used Boeing 737, Fielder completes the requisite medical forms, contemplatively hovering over his mental health disclosures. His journey delves deeper as he undergoes an fMRI scan to assess any underlying conditions.
As the narrative unfolds, Fielder presents a compelling case for improving pilot communication. Ultimately, he fills the aircraft with actors and successfully manages takeoff, attempting to foster open dialogue with his copilot, Aaron. By implementing an acting exercise aimed at honesty, Fielder encourages effective communication throughout the flight.
In the finale’s closing moments, Fielder divulges his ongoing work piloting empty 737s. “They trusted me for some reason,” he reflects, sharing his experiences flying over remote areas. The season wraps with the realization that, despite the complexities of piloting, he maintains a facade of confidence in the cockpit. All six episodes of The Rehearsal season 2 are available for streaming on Max.
