#067 Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes: Inside Information from a Navy Jet Pilot

The Academy Insider Podcast - Your Guide to The Naval Academy Experience

Lieutenant Commander Amy Heflin, callsign BACON, joins us to share her incredible journey from West Texas to the cockpit of an F-18. Discover what it was like to fly jets with actors in the backseat during the filming of Top Gun 2: Maverick. Amy's dedication and skill shine through as she takes us through her rigorous training in Pensacola and her exhilarating experiences as a Navy aviator stationed in Japan.
Get ready to explore the life of a Navy jet pilot with Amy's vivid portrayal of deployment challenges, the thrill of catapult launches, and the camaraderie that defines naval aviation. Through personal anecdotes, she reveals the delicate balance between professional demands and personal life, detailing the highs and lows of extended time at sea. Amy also provides a behind-the-scenes look at her unique role in the production of Top Gun 2, where the blend of Navy precision and Hollywood magic brought the film's intense flight scenes to life.
Lastly, we delve into the collaborative process between the Navy and Hollywood, emphasizing the safety protocols and authenticity that made Top Gun 2: Maverick a cinematic masterpiece. Amy's stories about flying with actors, including Tom Cruise, and navigating the challenges of filming high-intensity scenes are as inspiring as they are entertaining. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone fascinated by naval aviation and the making of an iconic film. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation with Lieutenant Commander Amy Heflin.

The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.
Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.

He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.

We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.

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Chapters

1. Naval Academy Insider (00:00:00)

2. Naval Aviator Experience and Challenges (00:07:27)

3. Life as a Navy Aviator (00:10:42)

4. Top Gun 2 Filming Experience (00:22:11)

5. Real Flying in Top Gun 2 (00:27:07)

6. Squadron Socialization and Filming Process (00:33:48)

7. Mentorship and Naval Academy Experience (00:44:30)