Tom Cruise is an American actor and producer famous known for Top Gun’s famous movies from back in the 80s. In real life, the millionaire Top Gun star Tom Cruise is reported to own anywhere from three to five private jets including a $20M Gulfstream. Tom Cruise has held a pilot’s license since 1994 and he often pilots all of the private jets that he owns. Although quite luxurious when flying privately, Cruise purchased a rugged World War II fighter aircraft namely, a P-51 Mustang.
The lead star recently met the Late Late Show host, James Corden, and took him for a ride in a vintage fighter plane, just like in the film.
Standing under a light in the predawn hours alongside the darkened runway at Bob Hope Hollywood-Burbank Airport (KBUR), the British comedian summed up what was to come next: “I’m here because Tom Cruise has asked me to meet him here at 5 a.m. When Tom Cruise calls, you sort of have to say yes.”
The pair boarded a Honda HA-420 business jet, which Cruise flew to a remote desert landing strip to rendezvous with his own vintage warbird, a P-51 Mustang. Up in the air in the World War II-era fighter, Cruise showed off his aviator chops by performing a series of maneuvers that included threading a gap in a ridgeline.
Flying an Aero L-39 Albatros fighter jet trainer, Cruise demonstrated tactical maneuvers, including loops and inverted flight.
Cruise, who has been a pilot since 1994, flew in many of the scenes in the Top Gun: Maverick.
“The Navy wouldn’t let him fly an F-18,” the film’s producer, Jerry Bruckheimer said, according to USA Today. “But he flies a P-51 in the movie and he flies helicopters. He can do just about anything in an airplane.”
