Sweaty pilot Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank was left drenched in sweat after her first flight lesson in preparation for new movie 'Amelia' - in which she plays famous aviator Amelia Earhart.

30 October 2009
Hilary Swank was left drenched in sweat after her first flight lesson.

The actress - who plays famous aviator Amelia Earhart in upcoming movie 'Amelia' - says she was concentrating so hard it left her covered in perspiration.

She said: "I'm not big on sweating, but I found that after two hours of a flight lesson, I would land and my back was drenched. It wasn't from fear, but from concentration."

Hilary - who was stopped from getting her full pilot's licence because the film's insurance would not cover it - also revealed she felt privileged to play Amelia, who went missing in 1937 after a flight.

The Oscar-winning star told Chicago Sun-Times: "Her life was certainly short. But she accomplished so much in that lifetime. She was also a reminder to me that you constantly have to look within. You have to also live for yourself and not other people. I want to look at my life and know I'm not missing anything.

"I believe that you can live your life the way you want, find love and experience your dreams. You can have it all. For a short time, Amelia had it all."

© 2009 NZCity, Bang Showbiz