Top Gun Days San Diego 2023 Logo

TOP GUN DAYS 2023 

SAN DIEGO


Top Gun Fans, Are You Ready To Feel The Need For Speed? 


Listen to behind-the-scenes stories and adventures on the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick. You’ll hear about the new CGI technology and other technical aspects of producing these amazing movies. 


The day will include a Q&A session with each speaker and the opportunity for autographs and selfies! Imagine rubbing shoulders with the pilots who flew the aircraft in the movies, getting the inside scoop on the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick from those who were there, and creating life-long friendships with fellow fans.



Our VIP speakers include:


Frank "Walleye" Weisser, a veteran Blue Angel pilot, flew the F-18 during iconic scenes in Top Gun Maverick.


Kevin LaRosa II, the Ariel coordinator for Top Gun Maverick.


Aaron “Vern” Vernallis, the F-18 pilot who raced Maverick along the runway in Top Gun Maverick.


Amy Heflin, the real “Phoenix” of Top Gun Maverick. She flew as “Phoenix” and sat back seat to “Phoenix” (Monica Barbaro) and “Bob” (Lewis Pullman).


CJ "Heater" Heatley, a TOPGUN graduate and former instructor, who played a vital role in making Top Gun.


Maggie Kohl, the real-life "Comanche" and active-duty servicewoman, appearing in Top Gun Maverick as the E-2 Operator.


John Semcken, a real-life TOPGUN graduate and technical advisor for Top Gun.


Jim “Jambo” Ray, a real-life TOPGUN instructor who flew in Top Gun 1985.


Javier Medina, Petty Officer US Navy, Aircraft Director and Flightdeck Safety on the USS Enterprise during the filming of Top Gun 1985.



Check Out What's Happening On Each Day


Your event ticket gives you access to 3 full days of Top Gun fun

Click on each day's section to reveal the itinerary for that day. 

Friday 12th May 2023

FRIDAY 12TH MAY 2023 - WELCOME RECEPTION 6PM - 10PM


Building 177, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106. 


Mingle with fellow Top Gun fans from around the globe in a relaxed but fun-filled environment. Savor complimentary hors d’oeuvres and indulge in bar service as you groove to the beats of our renowned DJ, Chris Olivas, former drummer for the band Berlin. Bring your best moves and get ready to dazzle in the company of your fellow Top Gun Fans. Collect your EVENT PASS, swag bag, and event t-shirt.

 

Doors open at 5:30pm with the reception officially beginning at 6PM

Saturday 13th May 2023

SATURDAY 13TH MAY 2023 - VIP GUEST SPEAKERS EVENT 


Building 177, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, United States.  


Are you ready to take a deep dive into the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick? You will have the opportunity to meet and listen to their inspiring, breathtaking, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, adrenalin, behind-the-scenes stories from Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick:


These are the VIP Guest Speakers you'll get to meet and listen to their inspiring, breathtaking, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, adrenalin, and behind-the-scenes stories from Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick on Saturday, May 13th, 2023.


Frank "Walleye" Weisser, a veteran of the Blue Angels, is the man behind the stick for some of the most iconic scenes in the new "Top Gun Maverick" movie. He will share his incredible stories of flying the F-18 during the canyon run, the low-level Lawrence of Arabia maneuver and many other low-level flight scenes we saw in the movie.

 

Kevin LaRosa II, the Ariel coordinator for Top Gun Maverick, who shot over 800 hours of aerial footage for the movie, will give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to capture those fantastic aerial shots we all can't wait to see on the big screen. In addition, he will be sharing his experiences working with the film's stars and what it was like to be a part of such an iconic movie. 

 

Aaron “Vern” Vernallis, the F-18 pilot who raced Maverick on his motorbike down the runway, will spill all the behind-the-scenes stories about how that scene was shot multiple times over 2 years. And get this, he even lent Tom Cruise his own flight gear for the iconic "Feel the need" picture! You'll have the chance to see his flight gear up close and personal at the event. 


Amy Heflin, the real “Phoenix” of Top Gun Maverick, was an integral part of the movie's filming, serving as a safety observer for the camera crew and helping to install and set up the six cameras that bring the action to life on the big screen. She flew for Phoenix and Bob, participating in the snow scenes in Whidbey Island and the BFM in the mountains east of Lemoore, CA. You'll have the opportunity to hear Heflin's exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about what it was like to fly for the best movie of 2022 and get to fly as one of the leading characters.  


CJ "Heater" Heatley, a TOPGUN graduate and former instructor, played a vital role in making the iconic movie. He will be sharing his stories, insights and behind-the-scenes of the making of the film. Not only did his photography skills and style influence Tony Scott during the filming, but they were also a key factor in the movie's creation. His aerial photography was featured in the 1983 California Magazine article "Top Guns", which inspired Don Simpson to make the movie.  


Maggie Kohl, Get ready to meet the real-life 'Comanche'. As the E-2 callsign in 'Top Gun Maverick', we are thrilled to have Maggie join us as a guest speaker. Imagine hearing firsthand accounts of the movie filming from an active-duty servicewoman who was there! Maggie went from babysitting the E-2 used in the movie and the film crew to appearing in the movie as 'Comanche'. This is your chance to learn more about the E-2 aircraft and its crew directly from the person who did it for a living and in the movie.  


John Semcken, a real-life TOPGUN pilot and technical advisor for Top Gun, will take us behind the scenes of the film that made us fall in love with naval aviation. As a graduate of TOPGUN, he served as the technical advisor for the film and will be sharing his experiences and insights into the making of the movie.  


Jim “Jambo” Ray, a real-life TOPGUN graduate and instructor. He was part of the flight crew who flew the F-4s and F-5s as Jester and Viper in the original Top Gun movie. We’ll hear what it was like to fly as one of the aggressor aircraft for those amazing dogfighting scenes that still thrill and excite us more than 35 years later.  


Javier Medina, Aircraft Director, Flightdeck Safety, aboard the USS ENTERPRISE during the filming of Top Gun and got to hang out with the actors off-set on the ship and watch many of the flight deck scenes being filmed.  


They will share their never before heard, behind-the-scenes stories of their time working on the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick, as well as some of the new CGI technology and the technical advisors from the military who worked on the set to pull off an amazing film.  


Not only that, but we will also have some of our all-time favorite guest speakers returning to go into further detail on how things differ from our original beloved 1986 movie and today’s tricks of the trade. The event includes a Q&A session with each speaker and the opportunity to get signed photos and selfies with them.  


Catered lunch and beverages are included with your ticket.  

Slaters 50/50 will provide amazing lunch for you at the venue, so you won’t have to worry about leaving the event in search of food and drinks. 

Sunday 14th May 2023

SUNDAY 14TH MAY 2023 - USS MIDWAY & KANSAS CITY BBQ  


The USS Midway in the morning - Visit USS Midway located at 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.


Start your Sunday morning with a relaxing tour of the USS Midway. The ship is open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm, and it's a self-paced tour, allowing you to explore the ship at your own pace. 


Tickets can be purchased directly from the USS Midway website, https://www.midway.org/visit/buy-tickets/ 


Kansas City BBQ in the afternoon - 600 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.


Wrap up the Top Gun Days 2023 event in style! Join us at the iconic filming location of the 1986 blockbuster film at Kansas City BBQ from 3 PM onwards. Give your best rendition of “Great Balls of Fire” as you enjoy camaraderie with your fellow Top Gun enthusiasts. 


*Your Top Gun Days event pass will be required at Kansas City BBQ. 


Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Join us this May, in San Diego, for the exclusive Top Gun Fan event of the year that's not available anywhere else. Get your front seat to an action-packed experience of the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick while being part of the global fan community of minded fans.  


Event Location: Building 177, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, USA.

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ORDER YOUR TOP GUN DAYS 2023 TICKETS HERE

Sale Off
Top Gun Days 2023 San Diego
$233.99

Photos From The Top Gun Days 2022 Event

ORDER YOUR TOP GUN DAYS 2023 TICKETS HERE

Sale Off
Top Gun Days 2023 San Diego
$233.99

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Send us your question by filling out the form below, we will be happy to assist you.

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When is the event?
The event is on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Friday 14th May 2023
Where is it being held?
The welcome reception on Friday 12th and the VIP Speakers event will both be at Building 177, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, USA. On the morning of Sunday 14th May we'll be at the USS Midway located at 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA. And in the afternoon we'll be at Kansas City BBQ located at 600 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Do you provide food and drinks during the event?
During the welcome reception on Friday 12th and the Speakers event in Saturday 13th, we will provide your food and drinks. On Sunday you will need to purchase your own food and drinks while on board the USS Midway and at Kansas City BBQ.
Is accommodation provided?
Your accommodation isn't provided as part of your event ticket but there are a number of hotels and accommodation close to the venue and closely in San Diego.
I still have questions about the event
We're more than happy to answer all of your questions about the event. Please get in touch with us using the contact form on this page and we'll get back to you asap.