16 Doctor Who Characters Who Can Fly The TARDIS!

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Besides the Doctor, there are numerous other characters from “Doctor Who” who possess the skill to navigate the TARDIS. Mastering the art of piloting one of Gallifrey’s legendary spaceships is considered a significant recognition for the show’s most esteemed companions. It’s important to mention that a number of Time Lords are featured in “Doctor Who,” and while it’s generally believed they can operate a TARDIS, it’s uncertain without observing it on-screen.

Additionally, there are some notable figures who lend a hand during the Doctor’s space travels. While many of Doctor Who‘s classic era companions aid the Doctor while he’s in flight, fewer are seen solo-piloting the TARDIS. Characters such as Rose Tyler even try their hand at flying the TARDIS, but they typically do so through indirect methods and can’t be classified as official pilots.

16. River Song/Melody Pond

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Season 5, Episode 4: “The Time Of Angels”

One of the rare characters, River Song from Doctor Who, isn’t shown learning how to operate the TARDIS. Instead, in “The Time of Angels,” River makes a dramatic entrance by flying into the TARDIS herself and promptly assumes control of its navigation.

It’s amusing that she’s mocking the Doctor’s flying skills, and even though she claims he was occupied on the day she learned, it appears more probable that it’s the Time Lord himself who taught her. Given that River Song isn’t fully River at the end of “Let’s Kill Hitler,” it’s unclear whether Melody mastered TARDIS flight before or after becoming River.

15. Leela

First On-Screen Flight: Classic Era – Season 14, Serial 4: “The Face Of Evil”

Among all who can pilot the TARDIS, it’s particularly unexpected that Louise Jameson as Leela from Doctor Who is one of them. Despite appearing to control the TARDIS in various episodes, she surprisingly demonstrates this ability for the first time at the end of her initial adventure, “The Face of Evil.” Intriguingly, we hear Leela adjusting the controls rather than seeing it, but the subsequent disappearance of the TARDIS serves as confirmation of her skills.

14. Heather

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Season 10, Episode 12: “The Doctor Falls”

In the tenth season of “Doctor Who,” Heather, who is Bill Potts’ significant other and later merges with a smart puddle of oil in season 10, demonstrates an ability to operate the TARDIS. After rescuing the Twelfth Doctor and Cyber-modified Bill in “The Doctor Falls,” she reveals that she has taken on the role of “The Pilot” (a reference to Bill’s initial episode), and this newfound intelligence enables her to control any vessel.

13. Adric

First On-Screen Flight: Classic Era – Season 5, Serial 4: “Logopolis”

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can confidently say that among the classic-era companions of “Doctor Who,” there’s one character who undeniably possesses the ability to solo pilot the TARDIS – Adric. The exact point when Adric masters this skill isn’t explicitly stated, but it seems he takes on the role more prominently in his later serials, with a notable instance being “Logopolis.” This moment is bittersweet, yet it provides a sense of fulfillment as the Doctor undergoes regeneration shortly after witnessing Adric pilot the TARDIS.

12. Clara Oswald

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Season 8, Episode 4: “Listen”

In the world of Doctor Who, all incarnations of Clara Oswald show remarkable intelligence, but not all have mastered piloting the TARDIS. Clara is a unique companion as she’s the first and only one to learn how to operate the TARDIS through its telepathic circuits, although this method differs from the traditional lever and button controls. This skill proves valuable for her character, particularly when the Twelfth Doctor, after regeneration, forgets how to fly the TARDIS in “The Time of the Doctor,” and turns to her for help.

11. Ashildr

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Season 9, Episode 12: “Hell Bent”

It’s unclear how Maisie Williams’ character Ashildr in Doctor Who learned to operate the TARDIS, but it seems likely that Clara may have taught her. However, throughout their various adventures depicted in Doctor Who‘s additional content, it appears that Ashildr is not a skilled TARDIS pilot, often encountering difficulties like crashing or losing control. Whether she can fly the TARDIS independently remains to be seen, but it’s likely she improves with time.

10. Tasha Lem

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Christmas 2013: “The Time Of The Doctor”

In the 2013 “Doctor Who” Christmas special titled “The Time of the Doctor,” we’re introduced to Tasha Lem. This character, who heads the Papal Mainframe as Mother Superior, seems to have a past association with the Doctor. This might be why she appears to effortlessly navigate a TARDIS when she mentions it being easy for her to do so. However, while she finds flying the ship a breeze, she confesses that controlling the Doctor has always eluded her mastery. This could suggest a deeper relationship or connection between Tasha Lem and the Time Lord.

9. Nardole

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Christmas 2016: “The Return Of Doctor Mysterio”

It turns out that Nardole, the character played by Matt Lucas in “Doctor Who,” is proficient at piloting the TARDIS due to his technical aptitude and familiarity with the sonic screwdriver. Given these skills, it’s no wonder he can handle the Doctor’s spaceship. In the episode “The Return of Doctor Mysterio,” Nardole takes on the role of a companion, and under the Twelfth Doctor’s tutelage, he quickly masters the art of flying the TARDIS.

8. The Master

First On-Screen Flight: Classic Era – Season 8, Serial 1: “Terror Of The Autons”

Apart from the Doctor, another Time Lord who has demonstrated the ability to operate a TARDIS is the Master. Interestingly, many iterations of the Master in “Doctor Who” have multiple TARDISes at their disposal. In his initial appearance in “Doctor Who’s” “Terror of the Autons,” the Master is shown exiting a disguised TARDIS, not in the iconic police box shape like the Doctor’s TARDIS.

7. Captain Jack Harkness

First On-Screen Flight: Modern Era – Season 1, Episode 11: “Boom Town”

Despite the fact that Jack is rarely depicted as piloting the TARDIS in the absence of the Doctor, there’s ample reason to believe he could manage it. For instance, in “The Parting of Ways,” Jack is the one who sets up the shield around the TARDIS, and we often see him tinkering with the console without the Doctor’s help. Given that Captain Jack Harkness was a Time Agent, it’s plausible that he has a good grasp of how the TARDIS operates as well.

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2025-05-06 05:29