The protagonist of Flight, pilot Whip Whitaker (Washington), was created for this, one of Denzel Washington's best movies and is not based on any real person. The character was imagined by screenwriter John Gatins after a having conversation with an off-duty pilot on a flight.

William Whitaker (born 26 July 1989) is an English show jumper from Yorkshire. Whitaker has represented Britain at show jumping. Son of Ian Whitaker, is from a dynasty of show jumpers and horse trainers including his uncles Michael and John Whitaker, and cousins, Robert and Ellen.