He discovered a passion for flying somewhat late in life . But Harrison Ford embraced it with gusto and claimed to fly his planes as much as he drove his vintage cars . The actor was 52 when he first seriously started flying lessons and over the years the Indiana Jones star has amassed an impressive aviation collection . The experienced and respected pilot keeps the aircraft at the Santa Monica Airport - which is where he was where he had taken off from in his two-seater PT- 22 shortly before he crashed on a nearby Venice golf course on Thursday . Current fave : Harrison Ford has been seen several times lately flying his silver and yellow PT-22 two-seater vintage plane in and out of Santa Monica Airport . He was last photographed taking off in the aircraft last Friday . A real-life action man : Ford , 72 , once said that learning to fly gave him freedom and pleasure and he 's survived a number of crashes over the years . The Ryan PT-22 Recruit with its silver metallic body and eye-catching yellow trim was built in 1942 and was primarily designed as a trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps . Ford was regularly seen flying it in and out of Santa Monica Airport and was last photographed in it just a week ago on Friday February 27 . In an interview with The Mail On Sunday back in 2010 , the Blade Runner and Star Wars actor talked about some of the planes in his collection and the reasons he loves flying so much . 'Flying is like good music : it elevates the spirit and it 's an exhilarating freedom . ' he said . 'It 's not a thrill thing or an adrenaline rush ; it 's engaging in a process that takes focus and commitment . Aviator : The 72-year-old actor keeps his collection of planes at Santa Monica Airport and routinely flies himself to and from his ranch in Wyoming . Ford , 72 , has a long range jet , a Citation Sovereign , a turboprop aircraft capable of operating on unimproved airstrips ; and a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver single engine bush plane . He also has a 1929 Waco Taperwing open-top biplane , an Aviat Husky , which is a two-seat fabric-covered bush plane , and a Bell 407 helicopter . In 1999 , Ford was flying his helicopter along the Lake Piru riverbed , north-east of Los Angeles , when it went down in a hard landing during a routine training session . 'All of my planes are great to fly , and that 's why I 've got so many of them ' : The Indiana Jones star 's collection includes an Aviat Husky , a Canadian de Havilland Beaver and several Cessnas as well as a 1929 open-top bi-plane and a Bell helicopter . After landing hard the aircraft began skidding forward in the loose gravel before one of its skids struck a partially embedded log and flipped onto its side . Neither the actor nor his instructor were hurt although the helicopter was severely damaged . He later joked the incident gave him the opportunity to buy a new helicopter . The family that flies together ... .. : The star often uses his private jet to fly his wife , actress Calista Flockhart and their son Liam from place to place . Ford once described crashing a plane as being like scraping a bumper and said he used his planes as much he used his cars . ' I 'm so passionate about flying , I often fly up the coast for a cheeseburger , ' he said in 2010 . The Hollywood star often flies to and from his ranch in Wyoming and has used his helicopter there to aid Search and Rescue crews locate missing hikers . It 's not a Millenium Falcon but the Han Solo actor still loves flying his own planes and is happy to do it all , even carrying his own bags on and off the aircraft . Ford has twice assisted local search and rescue teams with his helicopter , including one instance in which he picked up a hiker who became dehydrated . He donated his flying skills to non-profit organizations , including Operation Smile and the Special Olympics , and flew medical personnel and supplies to Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake . The father-of-five has played leading roles in at least two rescues , helping evacuate a missing hiker and a Boy Scout on separate occasions in 2001 . Up in the air : Ford who just confirmed he plans to make a sequel to the 1982 cult classic Bladerunner , is a veteran pilot with 20 years experience . With his need for speed , Ford collects vintage cars and motorbikes , . He has about a dozen motorcycles including several BMWs , a couple of Harleys , Hondas and a Triumph . He has vintage cars too including a rare 1955 forest green convertible Jaguar XK 140 worth about $ 150,000 . Ford is married to actress Calista Flockhart and they have a teenage son Liam . Not just planes : Ford also has an extensive motorcycle collection as well as some vintage cars .
Back in 1942 Ford walked away unscathed after his helicopter flipped over in hard landing .