Here’s what we know about Iain Armitage’s surprising hobby—what he’s been doing since Young Sheldon wrapped—and why fans are buzzing:
📌 ‘Young Sheldon’ Star Iain Armitage Has a Surprising Hobby
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Iain Armitage, the actor who played Sheldon Cooper on Young Sheldon for seven seasons, revealed that since the show’s finale in May 2024, he has taken up flying. He earned his student pilot’s license, completed his first solo flight in July 2024, and celebrated his 17th birthday on July 15, 2025—now eligible to pursue his private pilot’s license TV InsiderPeople.comPeople.com.
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In speaking with People, Armitage shared how thrilling flying has become for him:
“I just got my pilot’s license, or my student pilot’s license… I hope to get my private license when I’m 17. I’ve been having a bunch of fun flying while I’m here in L.A.”
He also fondly remembered flying his grandmother on a special flight:
“She was surprisingly calm… I was very impressed.” TV InsiderPeople.com.
✈️ Why This Hobby Stands Out
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A bold shift: Known for portraying the cerebral Sheldon Cooper, Armitage’s turn to aviation marks an adventurous change from his usual off‑screen persona.
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Autonomy & independence: Flying symbolizes newfound freedom—perfect for someone transitioning into adulthood.
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A passion project: Rather than a season’s-long deep dive, he’s sequencing his flying journey—student license → solo flight → eyeing private license.
👓 Who Is Iain Outside of Acting?
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Formerest theater critic turned actor, Armitage first gained attention for reviewing shows via his YouTube channel Iain Loves Theatre before landing major TV roles .
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He’s a self-proclaimed “massive nerd” who often studies languages like Arabic during downtime on set, inspired by a trip to Egypt. He also speaks several languages, including Russian and Portuguese People.comWikipédiaWikipédia.
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Beyond that, sources say he plays piano and guitar, enjoys reading about history and science, practices taekwondo, and even dabbles in magic tricks—showcasing his wide-ranging curiosity Television Academytinypesa.com.
🧭 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Iain?
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Acting aspirations: Despite stepping back after Young Sheldon, Armitage is actively auditioning for varied roles—from indie films to sci-fi and action projects .
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He hopes to continue voicing animated characters, with credits already including Shaggy (Scoob!: Holiday Haunt) and Chase (PAW Patrol: The Movie) People.comPeople.com.
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With flying now in the mix, he’s blending his passions: aviation, linguistics, performing, and activism (he’s even advocated for arts funding in D.C.) People.comPeople.com.
✅ Key Takeaway
Iain Armitage isn’t content to rest on his child-star success. His surprising hobby—learning to fly planes—underscores his curiosity and independence as he matures. It’s more than a fun activity: it symbolizes his readiness to explore new horizons, both in the sky and on screen. Whether steered towards acting, advocacy, or aviation, Armitage is soaring—in every sense.
FAQs
Q1: When did Iain Armitage start flying planes?
He earned his student pilot’s license in mid-2024 and flew solo that July TV InsiderPeople.com.
Q2: Has he flown any passengers?
Yes—he flew his grandmother for his 16th birthday, calling it one of the best days of his life TV InsiderPeople.com.
Q3: Is he pursuing a private pilot’s license?
He’s eligible at 17 and plans to test for it later in 2025 TV InsiderPeople.com.
Q4: What other hobbies does he have?
He studies languages (Arabic, Russian, Portuguese), plays piano and guitar, practices taekwondo, reads, and tries magic tricks between takes .
Q5: Is he returning to acting soon?
He’s auditioning and interested in diverse roles. He remains active in voice work and supports upcoming projects like Big Little Lies Season 3 People.comPeople.com.
It seems Iain isn’t just playing genius—he’s living an adventurous life beyond the camera. Ready for takeoff.
