In "Top Gun Maverick," Frank "Walleye" Weisser, a two-time Blue Angels pilot, faced the challenge of flying the F-18 in ways never attempted before. His precision flying expertise was tested as he took on daredevil aerial stunts that left even the US Navy questioning if it could be done.  

One such feat was the Lawrence of Arabia maneuver, requiring Frank to fly lower than any Navy pilot would ever dream of. But his unmatched skills, honed as a Blue Angels veteran, allowed him to execute the maneuver flawlessly. Another adrenaline-pumping moment was the canyon run scene, where Frank had to fly at breakneck speeds, narrowly skimming the canyon face with just 20 feet of clearance.  

Upon completing the breathtaking canyon run, Tom Cruise praised Frank's performance as perfect, to which Frank candidly replied, "Great, because I wouldn't ever want to do that again."  

Kevin LaRosa II, the aerial coordinator for Top Gun: Maverick, soared to new heights while filming the breathtaking aerial sequences that have become synonymous with the Top Gun franchise. With over 800 hours of heart-stopping, gravity-defying footage, Kevin played an instrumental role in bringing the movie's high-octane action to life.    

At Top Gun Days 2023, Kevin will take you on a thrilling journey behind the scenes of Top Gun: Maverick, revealing the challenges, triumphs, and sheer dedication that went into capturing those awe-inspiring aerial shots. 

In Top Gun Maverick, Aaron “Vern” Vernallis took on the exhilarating task of piloting the F-18 that raced alongside Maverick on his motorbike down the runway, echoing the iconic scene from the first Top Gun movie. Behind the seamless on-screen portrayal were countless challenges and potential dangers that Vern had to overcome to ensure the safety of everyone involved.   

In a serendipitous twist, Vern stepped in to lend his own flight gear to Tom Cruise for a photo shoot when the actor needed it. This act of camaraderie resulted in the creation of the now-famous "Need For Speed" movie poster. 

Amy Heflin, a skilled US Navy pilot, played a pivotal role in bringing the adrenaline-pumping aerial sequences of Top Gun Maverick to life. Behind the scenes, she expertly navigated the F-18 jet while flying with Monica Barbaro (Phoenix) and Lewis Pullman (Bob) in the backseat for the movie's high-octane scenes.

Her commitment to the film went even further, as she lent her skills as a safety observer, ensuring the well-being of the cast and crew during the complex aerial shoots.

As a crucial part of the production, Amy helped install and set up the six cameras that captured the breathtaking cockpit footage of Phoenix in action. 

When the filming of Top Gun Maverick commenced, Maggie Kohl was serving in the US Navy as an aircrew member of the E-2 Hawkeye aircraft.

Initially, Maggie was tasked with 'babysitting' the Navy's E-2 aircraft during the movie's production, ensuring its operational integrity and preventing any accidental damage by the film crew. 

As the need arose for an internal shot of the E-2 with an actor portraying an aircrew member, Maggie stepped into the role of the E-2 operator with the callsign "COMANCHE," bringing a level of realism and authenticity to Top Gun Maverick that only someone with her experience could provide. 

When it came to ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of the original Top Gun movie, John Semcken, a real-life TOPGUN pilot, was the man for the job. His extensive knowledge and experience as a TOPGUN graduate made him the ideal technical advisor for the film.

Being present at the filming of every scene involving military personnel, equipment, or locations, John ensured that the Top Gun production team had unprecedented access to US Navy facilities, enabling them to make Top Gun better than any other aviation movie at that time.

In the world of naval aviation, few pilots possess the skill, expertise, and dedication of Jim "Jambo" Ray, a real-life TOPGUN graduate and instructor. When it came to bringing the thrilling dogfighting scenes of the original Top Gun movie to life, Jambo was the perfect choice to fly the F-4s and F-5s as Jester and Viper, the skilled aggressor aircraft pilots.

Drawing on his experience as a TOPGUN instructor, Jambo showcased his exceptional piloting abilities in the iconic movie, flying in ways that deviated from standard training exercises. His commitment to delivering director Tony Scott's vision while ensuring the safety of his aircraft and fellow pilots made the movie's aerial combat scenes unforgettable and exhilarating.

As an Aircraft Director and Flight Deck Safety officer on the USS Enterprise during the filming of Top Gun in 1985, Javier got a Bird's Eye View of Top Gun being filmed on the aircraft carrier.

His hilarious recounting of the unforgettable moment when two of the movie's F-14s unexpectedly landed on his flight deck with unfamiliar aircrew names and insignia offers a unique perspective on the making of Top Gun through the eyes of someone serving aboard the USS Enterprise during the filming of Top Gun.