Flying Maverick’s Missions with Frank “Walleye” Weisser—Top Gun Pilot

Dec 13, 2022, 10:00 AM

Tom Cruise might have gotten all the accolades for the new blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, but it was Frank “Walleye” Weisser that actually flew the missions. The former Navy and Blue Angel pilot flew the canyon run from the movie, as well as a score of other missions, in real life and in real time—no CGI here. He reflects on his time in the service, taking Tom Cruise on harrowing runs, and what it takes to fly fast and low. He’s an aggressive man who knows a little something about the need for speed.