Aero L-39 Albatros Jet used in the film MAVERICK for pilot Training

Tom Cruise and the cast of the movie TOP GUN MAVERICK all trained in the Aero L-39 Albatros jet to prepare and build up 'G tolerance' for the flights in the F-18.

In the original TOP GUN Tom Cruise and the other actors were actually in the air on real fighter jets, but it was required for someone else to be piloting the plane and made to look like the actors were flying from the front seat.

The original TOP GUN movie was over three decades ago, so in the new TOPGUN Maverick movie, the cast actually learned to fly fighter jets.

Tom Cruise is an exceptional pilot in real life, but as a civilian, he could not fly the F-18 fighter jet used in the film. All of the cast started their training on an entry level aircraft, such as a Cessna 172 to learn the basics of flying, then they moved up from there to more complex and faster aircraft like the Extra EA-300 which is used in airshows for aerobatic stunt flying. The cast them moved up to learning to fly in the Aero L-39 Albatros, which is known for its exceptional maneuverability and combat training capabilities.

Once the cast had mastered the Aero L-39 and built up their 'G tolerance' they were then put into the back seat of the F-18 Hornet jet.

Although the cast were not actually allowed to fly the F-18 solo in the filming of the movie, the director of the film gave them the training to make it look like they were actually flying in the movie.

The Albatros is one of the most widely used jet trainers in the world – and is still in use with the Russian Air Force, as a steppingstone to the more advanced Sukhoi and MiG fighters.

The L-39 was originally built as a low-cost, simple combat training aircraft. The trainer was designed with simplicity, affordability, and operational flexibility. The L-39 is regarded as an easy jet to fly – perfect for training – or perfect for an actor who happens to fly on the side.

Want to be like Tom Cruise? You can book your very own TOP GUN MAVERICK Flight with FASTJET Adventure flights today!