Even though Tom Cruise flew real fighter jets in his upcoming sequel Top Gun: Maverick, there was one jet that the superstar actor couldn't pilot: an F-18.

Can Tom Cruise fly a fighter jet?

Did Tom Cruise actually fly in a real fighter jet during the filming of the Top Gun? Yes, he apparently did fly a little. But most of the scenes are filmed with Cruise in the backseat of an F-18 while another pilot in the front seat is flying for the actual dramatic flight scenes.

Why was Tom Cruise not allowed to fly the F-18?

Cruise originally wanted to fly a real Boeing F-18 fighter jet in the film, but the US Navy denied his request due to insurance concerns and the high cost of the plane. Cruise's dedication to doing his own stunts enhances the storytelling and creates a level of authenticity that can't be achieved in any other way.

Did Tom Cruise fly an F-14?

No actors, including Tom Cruise ever flew any Navy airplanes. He did not fly the F-14 and he did not fly an F-18. All the filming was done from the backseat of both aircraft types while a naval aviator (pilot) was flying.

Why are they flying F18s in Top Gun: Maverick?

Rather than shooting with a green screen and in flight simulators, Kosinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and producer/actor Tom Cruise (ace aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell) wanted to capture all the action from inside the cockpit of an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, with the actors strapped on board IRL for the wild ...

Top Gun 3 – Trailer (2025) Tom Cruise, Miles Teller | Paramount Pictures

Why did Top Gun: Maverick not use F-35?

As for why they didn't film with F-35s: others have already mentioned that the F-35's single seat makes it impossible to put actors in the cockpit. Other issues are that the F-35 has a lower thrust-to-weight ratio than the F-18, so maneuvers wouldn't look quite as cool.

Who actually flew the planes in Top Gun: Maverick?

Frank “Walleye” Weisser, USN (Ret), transformed himself from a teenage aspiring SEAL at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., into a world-class stunt pilot who flew Tom Cruise's fighter jet in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick.

Did Tom Cruise fly F-35?

This was due to the fact that production on the film would have probably been difficult since Tom Cruise also didn't fly the planes himself. With camera work and proper safety regulations surrounding the film's production, there wouldn't have been a way for Cruise to fly the F-35 jet, even if he knew how.

How many planes does Tom Cruise own?

Tom Cruise owns a fleet of 4 planes, with some ownership still under speculation. The most famous one is the P-51 Mustang that featured in Top Gun: Maverick. His remaining jets include Gulfstream IV G4, HondaJet HA-420, and Bombardier Challenger 300. All are luxurious and highly valued.

Is Tom Cruise an actual pilot?

Tom Cruise

It's no surprise that Cruise not only owns several aircraft, but is licensed to pilot them all. He obtained his flying license in 1994 and can pilot helicopters, fighter jets, private planes and even commercial flights, per Sportskeeda.

Why didn't Top Gun: Maverick use F-22?

Why in Top Gun Maverick did they use F/A-18s rather than F22s or F35s? The f-22 is only used by the usaf and Top Gun is about the Navy. While the F-35 is used by the Navy it is only a single seater and they can't shoot the in cockpit scenes to give the illusion that Tom Cruise is piloting the plane.

Is the F22 better than F-35?

The F-22 Raptor outperforms the F-35 Lightning II in speed and climb rate, making it a formidable interceptor. The F-35's versatility in armament surpasses the F-22, enabling it to serve various missions, including nuclear deterrence and air-to-ground strikes.

Can Tom Cruise hold breath for 6 minutes?

Indeed someone has. And you're not gonna believe who it was. In 2011 while filming Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Tom Cruise managed to hold his breath underwater for a breathtaking 6 minutes straight.

Does Tom Cruise own a P-51?

The Original Top Gun Inspired Cruise's Love Of Flying

The P-51 Mustang used in Top Gun: Maverick was built in 1946 and Cruise has owned the plane, which has an estimated value of $4 million, since 2001.

Is Tom Cruise too old to be a fighter pilot?

His colleagues question whether he is too old to be a test and fighter pilot. The answer is an emphatic no – 57 is not too old. I've met many test pilots in their 60s, and fighter pilots in their 50s.

What licenses does Tom Cruise have?

I've airplanes, uh, commercial licence, jets. A bunch of different airplanes. Motorcycles, parachutes, boats. I have my real estate licence.

What celebrity owns a 747 jet?

Kim Kardashian posted on her Instagram story to take all her followers on a tour of her husband Kanye West's gigantic private jet, which they dubbed the “Yeezy floating office.” “No big deal just taking a private 747 this is how [Kanye] does it now. Only 747s.

Does Lady Gaga own a 747?

Lady Gaga's private jets

Lady Gaga has equipped herself with 3 private jets, no less! Just like Kim Kardashian, she opted for Boeing 747 private jets.

What is Tom Cruise's net worth in 2024?

Tom Cruise has a whooping net worth of over $600 million.

Who flew the F18s in Top Gun: Maverick?

Cmdr. Christian Frasher. Frasher, a Lake Orion native, spent roughly six weeks back in 2019 filming for "Top Gun: Maverick," sharing his cockpit with the stars of the film like Miles Teller, Glen Powell and Tom Cruise.

What jets can Tom Cruise fly?

Cruise owns a collection of airplanes, including a vintage P-51 Mustang fighter from World War II and a Gulfstream IV G4 jet. There may be additional aircraft in Cruise's fleet, such as a HondaJet and a Bombardier Challenger 300 jet, according to a travel expert.

Did they fly a real F-14 in Maverick?

All the F/A-18 Super Hornets used in the film are authentic, and with them, the flying scenes are also legitimate. However, the SU-57 Felons and F-14 Tomcats are CGI.

Did Tom Cruise really fly an F18?

Even though Tom Cruise flew real fighter jets in his upcoming sequel Top Gun: Maverick, there was one jet that the superstar actor couldn't pilot: an F-18.

Is Tom Cruise a qualified pilot?

Yes, Tom Cruise is a licensed pilot. Yes, Tom Cruise can fly and has a license to pilot several aircraft as he obtained his flying license in the year 1994. He flies fighter jets, private planes, and even commercial flights. Cruise even has a license to pilot a helicopter.

Why is there no F-35 in Top Gun: Maverick?

The first is that with the F-35 there would be no heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping dogfighting scenes. The F-35 was designed to employ a combination of stealthiness, advanced sensing, and long-range weapons to engage aircraft from outside their sensor ranges.