As a Blue Angel Crew Chief, who served with Mr. Weisser and lunched him out a few times. There is no finer officer or pilot in the Navy. As soon as I saw the low flying Super Hornet in the trailer, I knew one of my Blue Angel pilots had to have made that happen. I was very happy to hear it was Mr. Weisser. He is a beast! 7,6,5,6,5 Thank you for a great interview Blue Angels Phantoms Pod Cast.
One Holiday weekend,many moons ago, was watching 6 pilots and their crew near their pretty Red White and Blue F-16s at the Battle Creek Kellogg Airfield and out of nowhere was the sound, enough to catch the ear then enough to turn yas head. A lot of mouths open as the tightest formation we had ever seen passed over. ALL BLUE! THANK YOU!
Holy shit! this is the real pilot who flew the low-level trench run with the 9 g pull with Tom Cruise in the backseat. Best scene in the movie. Thank you for your service Mr. Weisser.
The fact that they had the movie premier in San Diego instead of at the Chinese Theater in LA is just a huge expression of appreciation and support for the Navy
What a great interview. It's a rare event when an interviewer asks a complex question and then steps out of the way as the details flow out of the interviewee. The amount of detailed knowledge regarding the airframe required to be a Blue Angel pilot is truly astounding, most specifically, when Mr. Weisser mentions how the turn radius of the planes will change due to the G-force limiter so a pilot has to be aware that he can pass out if his speed dips because the limit with go from 5.5Gs to 7.5Gs. These pilots are consummate professionals and true masters of their aircraft that know their flight envelope to the millimeter.
This interview should be on the 'Special Features' when the blu-ray DVD digital version is released. Hopefully it won't be delayed for 2 years. This is where recognition of who was involved in making this movie needs to be acknowledged. Thanks Mr. Weisser for your service and your professionalism! You did an AWESOME job making Tom Cruise - Maverick - one more time !
As an attorney with over 40 years of experience taking depositions of people in personal injury cases, I have to say that this young man did an excellent job of asking the right questions at the right time without unnecessary interruptions. Good for him and good for his audience, as well.
Wow --- that's a very interesting insight --- I was in criminal justice as a practitioner and academic --- interviewing skills are difficult to teach. Competence almost reaches a level of an art form. Good examples, followed by monitored experience, are often the best teaching tools.
aaaahhh ! it was a friggin movie made with Special effects and green screens. None of it was real ! It certainly did what it was intended, to make money. No Service to anyone beyond the Movie producers. You should get back in touch with reality.
Mr. Weisser: As a former Navy man with HS-11 and then VA-75 out of Oceana I appreciate your skills and dedication! This was an awesome interview. Thank you for your service sir!
As a lifetime Navy kid and Blue Angel aficionado, this was a wonderful insight into the team and all the hard work that goes into their "performance". We have attended homecoming every year since 1985 and since 2014, practices twice a month at NAS Pensacola (until covid). We also watch YT vids everyday of winter training, seeing how the team develops. The capabilities of the Rhino and how it has affected the maneuvers of the team was very interesting. We'll look at every maneuver in a different light now. It always impresses me how dedicated our Navy pilots are and I enjoyed seeing CMDR. Weisser again. Go Navy!
So awesome to see the real people behind the scenes that make movies happen. We always get caught up with the talent in front of the camera it's easy to forget the hundreds behind the camera that make Tom and the others look good. Awesome flying
Amazing interview. Thank you Frank Weisser for your service, and thank you for your candid explaination. Must have been a blast to be a part of. Cheers
I am in Awe of the real pilots in our Navy (and Marines) who are the real Top Guns. So happy the movie got the facts right! These men are some-of God’s greatest!
Interesting interview ! I can't believe the camera crew in the helicopter tried to pressure him to do something he didn't feel was safe. When you've got an expert pilot, you need to trust his judgement !
More so it was not understanding what the plane could do, once they got to what he could do....they in turn felt unsafe. We can't fault normal people not understanding an f-18s capability
An awesome interview! Why have the networks not picked up on this? No offence to the actors and it is ok seeing them interviewed at the premiers and tours but THIS is what we all want to see, absolute legends like this telling it from their side. Far more interesting.
Couldn't agree more. Who cares that the actors had to do the dreaded dunk tank once? Let's hear from the real heroes who do this every day! Loved this interview.
This makes me smile. Back in 1984 maybe it was. My daughter was a youngster. Loved planes. Anyway back then we lived on a huge parcel of farm land about 2 miles from the local airport. The city had introduced the college town of Corvallis,OR (go BEAVES) to air shows. The Blue Angels arrived about a week prior to practice for the show. Other vintage planes arrived a couple days prior. The whole week prior my daughter and I got a private show! She was waving every time one of them flew by. I kept telling her they can’t see you sweetie. The best part…was a very low flying jet, tilted sideways and a wave 👋 My daughter was so tickled. I grew up on an AF base. Loved watching the jets fly out low and landing.Edwards was awesome. There’s a rumble that jolts your soul and it doesn’t leave. It just brought back all that as a kid. Needless to say we went to the show. Met the crew. Everyone had a nickname. My daughter running around looking for that guy that waved. I heard that story many times, lol. I couldn’t tell you if he was part of the Angels back then or not. The name does sound familiar. Those formations scared the crap out of me thinking one little mess up…🙈 But I’m an airshow junkie! Hillsboro, OR puts on a big event every year.
What a great person & pilot to interview! Amazing personality, communication style & camera presence! Thank you for your service and for your contribution to this project 🙏🏼
yeah obviously doing whatjhe did (and is still doingI guess) he must have no problem occupying a space in front of camera and people, he has great presence just as you say
Crazy to think we have individuals like this on earth…this smart…this skilled…this squared away…this wholesome…this focused & driven…and then we have folks, who’s daily mission in life, is to put in the least amount of work or effort possible in order to get by. MIND BOGGLING
That was a very cool. I appreciated hearing Frank Weisser's story, career and the behind the scenes of the making of the Top Gun: Maverick movie. Really cool hearing all the effort made in having real jets, real pilots and real g's. Much respect to the fighter pilots and all those who serve in the U.S. military.
Thanks for the great interview and thanks to Cdr. Weisser. I did some sleuthing and went back to photos from the Miramar air shows in 2009 and 2010, and lo and behold #5 and then #6. Was lucky enough to have pictures with the team because my wife knew one of the team so have pictures with him. Also we got to sit front and center with friends and family so the maneuvers all happened right in front of us. Was one of the coolest experiences ever. Have a great pic of him as #5 flying across the tarmac at low altitude. Pretty cool to have seen him do it live, and then again in the movie. Was an awesome movie. Thanks again for this interview and thanks to all our service men and women.
Loved Frank Weisser's comment about doubling. Also, wanted to say in 86, Top Gun was the best recruitment film ever. This has inspired our daughter to take up flying - well she is 13. So, it has the same affect. Thank you Frank your service and dedication to this country and for being part of this film. We loved the film.
There was a book about naval aviators a while back. In it was a story about an event where the late Charlton Heston was a guest speaker. A local newsie asked an aviator his thoughts on the actor and if he, the pilot was awestruck to be in Hestons presence. The Hornet driver responded, and I'm paraphrasing, " why would I be? he plays me, I don't play him"
@@AlbaAdventures wish I could help with the title, just can't recall. It was a good read. There was a story of a guy from a very wealthy family whose father didn't approve of his sons choice to become a Marine pilot. Tragically, he witnessed his son unsuccessfully try to save an unsaveable jet during a family day event.
Great interview Walleye! The movie is fantastic and wouldn’t be possible without your amazing work. I was so fortunate to fly with you in the back of #5 for a practice, flight of a lifetime. Nice work as well Ryan.
Cmdr. Weisser graduated from the Naval Academy the same year as my son Cmdr. Marc 'Oral' Stirton from the University of Arizona NROTC program in December 2000. Marc entered flight school at Meridian, MS. shortly thereafter and probably was right behind Cmdr. Weissner. Marc was 'Winged' in September 2003. And, assigned to the EA-6B Prowler RAG at NAS Whidbey Island. After first forward deployment to NAF Atsugi . Marc transitioned to the EA-18G Growler in 2007 with VX-9. He also applied too and interviewed with the 'Blues.' However, was not chosen. Interesting interview with Cmdr. Weissner. Marc also had a 'Extra' gig in one of the Bar Scenes in the movie.
Fantastic interview. Frank Weisser is a next level man. I know this movies are highly fictionalized but they have served to heighten interest in aviation both Naval and civilian. As such, I've learned so much about what these aviators have to go through and I just appreciate them so much more. Cheers!
I used to watch cats and traps as much as i could(E4/CTT). I was always in awe of the personnel and technology involved with getting planes in the sky and bringing them back to the deck. Standing on the flight deck while a F-18s were taking off was such a privilege.
The Blue Angels - the best of the best!! If you've never seen them in person, you're missing out. Top notch all the way. Chills and they are all such nice guys. I met several of them at the air shows. Thanks for this! It was very interesting and enjoyable to listen to. :-)
Yes, they are wonderful people! I met a few of them, introduced by my son a Navy Chief Petty Officer while he and the Blue Angels were at El Centro. Great representation of the Navy, all very personable. Much respect!
Just saw the Blue Angels this weekend on Long Island. I am so impressed and fascinated by the skill and preparation that these pilots and crew put in to make it happen. The pilots and crew are truly the real celebrities! God bless America🇺🇸
I’ll never go within cooee of a fighter cockpit but this ace pilot still finds a way to make his extraordinary skills and experiences relatable. Kudos.
Super interview! I had to laugh about landing on the flight deck during the day after landing on night ops for months. I worked mostly night ops on the deck as a AT on the IKE for our tour and did a few day ops. It is totally different. What I remember mostly that it was alot hotter during the day and did not need flashlights with red filters. Again very nice interview and what respect I have for thoes pilots. BZ.
Really enjoyed the commander's input on G on the airframe and the human being as well as his interaction with the engineers on what the plane could take. And then to transfer into the newer jet with computer limiting maneuvers to extend the life of the airframe. Pretty cool stuff. I like how he tried to extend the life of his legacy jet in the Blues without tipping his hand to the most astute observer. I bet he was really super smooth and accurate on the controls. I also think he has a point on the effect of G's on the human body over time. I hope some research goes into that observation. Pulling 8 or 9 G's or having the 5.5 G limit go to 7.5 in a minor mach number reduction is insane to me. But, it's for the young person not for being much older. Being a pretty good stick with a C-172 I have pulled about 2 G's. You can definitely feel just that. I wonder what Mr. Weisser is doing now. Great guy!. Thanks.
I'm so glad Top Gun is becoming more Navy focused! The g research for the SOPs is very interesting. The sneak attack is my favorite! I'm down here in Pensacola and remember him from all the airshow. Thank-You for your service. #Respect
If memory serves, Commander Frank Weisser's first show(s) back in 2016 was/were in Cleveland. I was fortunate enough to watch a lot of the practices, and had a lovely lady who was patient enough to take some time during her lunch break to watch together. I believe it was the first time sine the passing of Captain Jeff Kuzz, in a public air show, you could hear Commander Weisser say to Commander Ryan Bernacchi, "You've got six Boss." I got choked up hearing it on my dorky scanner.
Great interview, Ryan! Very interesting. I saw that it was 41:21 and thought, no way am I going to make it through this thing but before I knew it I was like, "Oh man. It's over already? Dang!" Well done!
Thank you for this awesome podcast. I just watched the Blue Angels fly out of Farmingdale Republic Airport and on the return do an awesome fly over this past Sunday May 29. Thank you all for your service!
One of the coolest best damn interviews I’ve seen. To see him talk about the legacy hornet is amazing. Man, back in 87 I was 9 😂. The world was so wide back then and remarkable.
As a young sailor, I was a brown shirt, then I was the LPO of the brown shirts, and later, an airframer working on the Tomcat at the “O” and “I” levels. Now later in my life, I’m the civilian Depot guy working on the F/A 18 Legacy’s and Supers ( including the Blues ) with an awesome bunch of shipmates that I served with. Currently, we’re the backbone of the U.S. Navy and we proudly serve this Country as Patriots in the traditional, 1776 manner. With that being said, Top Gun Maverick was an amazing piece of work that was structurally and professionally difficult, if not close to impossible to pick apart, unlike the first Top Gun. The staff of Maverick did an exceptional job in this film and the pilots who flew these Supers in the movie were nothing short of outstanding. I can’t say to the pilots that “they can be my wingman anytime,” but I CAN proudly say to them that “I’ll inspect your overstressed aircraft anytime!” Bravo-Zulu to you shipmates. Not only did you do “Top Gun” well, but you did the Navy well. This was quite possibly the best movie I’ve seen in the last 20-years. Thank you for that experience. 🫡 I’d also like to give a big salute to F-14A 159611 for playing her part in this movie, as well as other movies and television shows. Anytime baby!
I find it interesting that so many non-Hollywood people who work with Tom Cruise always comment about what a great experience they had and how Tom is such a regular and enthusiastic guy.
I was very happy with the podcast, as well as finding your channel! I became interested in aviation in my sophomore year in high school when I decided to take a new course offered called "Introduction to Flight", which was to my surprise, was ground school. I passed and though it piqued my interest, I was slotted to start my Navy enlistment as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman after graduation. Thanks, and keep up the great work! --J. Doc Lykins, former HM3/USNHC
When he speaks to the transition from legacy to super and it being easy and feels the same other than the minutiae is a testament to all the engineering that goes into the platform. Essentially you’re going from oldschool handling authority input to a pilot telling the plane what he/she wants to do and then that digital interface interacting and making it happen. There’s a huge difference between them… so to hear that is awesome. NAVAIRSYSCOM NAWC AD/WD represent!!
Both the legacy and Super Hornet are digital fly-by-wire. I believe he was remarking about the software differences that were developed to protect both the pilot and the airframe. But you are quite correct in pointing out the genius engineering that goes into these miracles of human achievement. Cheers! 👍👍👍
Chip Miller had once mentioned what a stud pilot "Walleye" is and how that all came about for the Top Gun "Maverick" movie. I admired him instantaneously, just off of Chip's word, but admire him even more after listening to this interview. Great perspective - a whole new level of thought with the coding limitations and impact it has on synchronized flying of the F-18. An outstanding and interesting insight of what they do on the ground and well as in the air. BZ all the way!
I have a Blue Angels 3 model I put together and painted, etc. still hanging from the ceiling in my bedroom :) (I was an aviation electrician in the Navy for P3 Aircraft.)
My Dad also was an A.E. Mr Jerry .Also for the mighty Orion's..VP24 and VP45 respectfully before he made Chief in '83 and for some reason they decided to make him a detailer(which he hated) and we had to move to D .C.for a while. However he eventually found his way back to A.S.W. aircraft ,only this time it was SeaStalluons and SeaHawks I believe..Dad eventually went on to become CWO4 and return to Pensacola as an instructor. I'm extremely proud of my Pops, My country ,Our NAVY! ,and all of the unsung heros on flight crews like you sir.THANK YOU ALL GENTLEMAN!
A little scary to know what the directors/production crew kept pushing for the pilots to do when the expert was telling them they don’t feel comfortable with it becz it’s not safe. Glad they found away to still get it done.
more so ignorance, directors etc are used to saying...do this and it gets done, especially on bluescreen....the average person would do exactly that push because they just don't know. I wouldn't call it scary, more so learning.
Loved hearing the story behind the low pass and climb out. I can see the helicopter pilot and crew watching your F-18 coming up at them - "here he comes, get ready!" Amazing! A big fan of "The Right Stuff" and I love how the film pays homage to that film and those aviators as well. - Thank you!
I grew up with the Blue Angels practicing when they would fly out of Wright Patterson. They would fly over the lake as we were sailing! Great interview
A fantastic video, thank you very much. Mr. Weisser was candid and extremely articulate as well as efficient with his words. I really got a sense of what makes the man tick who is the real life example of a pilot the movie tried to portray. Much respect
Love the BLUES Flight Demonstration Team! Attended every Air Show at NAS JAX! Had a friend who was in the same Squadron as Butch V. My friend was asked by Butch to join his group, he didn’t do it..his wife nightly objected! Love the Angles!
We were on the point of Santa Rosa Island years ago (staying at the lodge on board of NAS Pensacola) and that evening the Blues were coming home and made a low beauty pass as the delta along the shore. Number 7 was off to the side and we found out later they had a photographer's mate taking pics. As they flew past, my wife and girls started jumping up and down waving. I was mocking them saying there was no way they saw us (we were the only ones out there that evening). Then they made a second pass and the Number 7 broke off, flew low overhead rocking his wings and my wife looked at me with a huge grin and said, "I KNEW they could see us!" We met him his last year which was two years removed. He was now the lead solo. As he signed the poster the girls brought they tried to tell him the story (they were still very young). He looked up to me and I related the whole story. "That was you?!?" Not only did he acknowledge our waving with a mini display in the jet but remembered THAT event a year or two later.. after thousands of flights. What a memory. I'm an Army guy, my dad Air Force but the Blues are the best.
Fantastic and well-done interview. Educational and yet holds a viewer's interest in hearing 'the inside the cockpit' perspective of a career military jet pilot! Thanks for putting this one up for all of us who want to 'know' more about Top Gun Maverick and the challenges presented in filming it.