Are the Flight Scenes in Top Gun: Maverick Real?

Many viewers wonder whether the flight scenes in Top Gun: Maverick are real or if they're heavily reliant on CGI. The truth is that while some scenes required post-production effects, the majority of the aerial footage captured during filming was filmed with real pilots and aircraft.

Real vs. CGI

According to director Joseph Kosinski, the flight scenes were asked to be as realistic as possible by actor Tom Cruise. Unlike in the original Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick aimed to achieve a higher level of authenticity. The flight scenes involving missiles were the only segment that required CGI to ensure there was no physical damage or injuries to the actors or the aircraft.

Production teams took great care to protect both the pilots and the aircraft. This meant that while the flight scenes were primarily shot with real jet fighters and pilots, additional elements were added through CGI. For example, the explosions and missile impacts were created using digital effects to ensure the safety of all involved.

Training and Preparations

To achieve these realistic flight scenes, the actors underwent extensive training. Prior to filming, the actors were required to undergo three months of intensive water and land training. This ensured they could handle the G-forces and motion sickness that comes with flying at high altitudes. Additionally, the actors were also trained to operate the on-board cameras used to capture the aerial footage.

Expert Opinion

While some details may differ from real-life military operations, it's important to note that the high-flying acrobatics and close combat scenes are indeed realistic for the film industry. The plot and certain scenarios might be slightly altered for dramatic effect. For instance, the emphasis on air-to-air combat in Top Gun: Maverick is less common in real-world military operations, which typically focus on air-to-ground missions at higher altitudes.

One expert, who served in Vietnam as a weapons controller and evaluator at Red Flag, confirms that the depiction of fighter jets at low altitudes for combat is unusual. In reality, most aerial combat missions are conducted at higher altitudes to minimize the risk of anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).

According to this experienced pilot, real-world fighter jet operations like those shown in the film are not as common. However, the atmospheric and intense nature of the scenes in Top Gun: Maverick makes for a compelling and enjoyable cinematic experience.

Nonetheless, the realism and authenticity achieved in Top Gun: Maverick have been widely praised. Even those who have spent decades in the military appreciate the effort put into making the film as accurate as possible within the constraints of a Hollywood blockbuster.

If you’re a fan of the franchise, Top Gun: Maverick is definitely worth a watch. No matter your background, the movie will undoubtedly captivate you with its thrilling flight scenes and compelling story.

Best wishes to the crew of Top Gun: Maverick for their hard work and dedication to bringing this film to life.