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.
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.
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
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 !
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 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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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 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!
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
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! 👍👍👍
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
How fabulous!
So bad ass
Good vibes.
@@DarrenJCalvert j no
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.
i dont know if it was ACTUALLY 9gs because the rhino is capped at 7.5 clean and they wouldnt break the jet for a movie
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.
Enjoyed this interview so much
Agreed
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
"They are doubling us." that's a great line . Great interview Ryan.
Totally agree. A very intelligent observation with the nerve to voice it.
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 !
The fact this video has only 2.4K views is insane. This should be carried by every major TV network covering the movie. Great video! Thank you!
Thank you!
How about now 😂
and now lol
What an awesome pilot! Thank you Commander Weisser for your service to our country.
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.
@@NaYawkr Who told you that
@@NaYawkr
You’re part of misinformed generation. I feel sorry for your parents.
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 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.
Thank you very much, I’m not a pro, but I try stay out of the way in these conversations.
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.
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
The only video I've found so far that puts more reality into the making of this film and the pilots behind it. Thank you.
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
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
Almost at a million now! Well deserved
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.
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 taking time to watch!
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!
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.
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
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.
Haven't you noticed, "the networks are not interested in the truth". They lie to the public every day.
@@chuckcts-v3460 100% truth
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.
000000⁰⁰and a
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"
@@justinkase7763 Going to try and find that book.
@@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.
@@justinkase7763 Wow.. Thank you for replying back. That last story is a hard one to swallow. I will see if I can search for this book.
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.
Spent a lot of time with Walleye at an airshow in Maryland when he was recalled to the team. Such a good dude and gracious with his time!!
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.
those low altitude scenes were so freaking awesome. That guy is a total stud!!
Thank you for your service Commander Weisser.
Fascinating interview.
BZ
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!
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
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🇺🇸
It was a great show. The J22 and the F35 were fascinating to watch as well.
Look “frecce tricolori” 🇮🇹
I hope you went on Sunday (weather)!!! That was an amazing show!
@@BlueLeader1 Indeed!!!
Yeah I went Sunday, amazing weather!
Met him when he was #5 on his first tour with the Blues… really nice guy!
Glad I got to work with you in Fallon. Awesome that you got to help the Blues transition and work on the movie.
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.
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.
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!
One of the best scenes flying through the trench. Awesome pilot. Great job
Loved this movie! Going to see it again! Just the best time! Hat’s off to Mr. Cruise!
Hello 👋 How are you doing today?
It’s awesome how all this careful collaboration came together to make a fantastic movie. Great job guys! 👍🏼
Fantastic interview, Mr. Weisser! Really great behind-the-scenes info!
Great interview Frank! Hope you're doing well! Great memories of VT-7 with you in your SiRGrad days!
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.
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
Fantastic interview Ryan. Great content as you picked a winner to interview. Thanks again.
Terrific interview! Thank you so much for doing & sharing it👍👍
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.
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!
Great interview! Fascinating stuff. Can't believe this hasn't got more views
You guys are still simply amazing!!!! Thank you for everything you do for us. God bless you and your family!!!! And God bless the USA
Franks explanation on the G's and working with the engineers to get more hours of the plane was very interesting SALUTE !
Thank you for posting. Really enjoyed the movie and it was nice to hear some behind the scenes stuff.
I saw Top Gun 2 last week.. awesome movie! 👍✈️
What a great interview! Thank you for sharing!
this guy deserves all the respect in the world
Seems like a humble man and somebody you would want to get to know.
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.
What a super guy...and professional! Thanks for doing the interview...great job.
Cdr Weisser is a true hero! thank you for sharing!
I will always remember the Blue Angels doing a low level flyover in the Gulf while we were diving on the sunken aircraft carrier, the Oriskany.
Great interview! We love our Blue Angels in Pensacola, Florida ❤️
Great interview. Thoroughly enjoyed. TYFYS
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.
Cdr. Frank is a major dude, great interview, Thanks....
My uncle (Tom Bennington) was the team NCOIC Master Chief in the early 70s when they still flew the Phantoms. He retired 20 years in the mid 70's.
I live here in VA Beach where Oceana Naval air station is located. I'm about 3 miles from the main gate.. What an awesome interview!!
Cmdr. Weisser, Outstanding career................Grateful for your service. "The JJ" USAF (retired), SW Penna.
Terrific interview, fabulous movie!
The ONLY time I DON'T complane about paying taxes is when I see these guys whip them wings
Great interview. Questions were on topics of interest and brief, allowing the interviewee the opportunity to respond fully. Bravo Zulu!
I'll be watching the blues over Pensacola Bay tomorrow, just as I've been doing since 1987. Always badass.
Fantastic interview, thank you!
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.
GREAT interview, Ryan - thank you!
Thank you! Keep your eyes peeled this weekend. Uploading a really interesting video about the teams transition to the Hornet back in 1987.
Our last badass in our Navy family was Col Robert (Rocky) Plant. He passed two weeks ago. Piloted F4s.
Marine?
@@electroniccheeks Colonels are not in the Navy...... USMC is part of the Navy though.
@@joinjen3854
True I believe a Colonel is a Captain in the Navy.
@@electroniccheeks Captain in the USN is an O 6.
@@joinjen3854
Yes so is a Colonel in the Marine Corps.
These guys busted the windows of my house once. I still love them.
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!
Thanks, Lenny! Appreciate you giving it a shot! Glad you enjoyed.
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
Thanks, Doc! Glad you’re enjoying the channel!
They look fantastic!! Just finished watching the Angels today at Spirit of St.Louis Airshow!!
Also had a look at the F-35 Lightning as well !!
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!
Great Interview. Much respect to Mr Weisser…
that was great thank you for that Frank and thank you for your service
Terrific interview!
Interesting take on behind the scenes filming of TopGun Maverick
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!
Great interview! Really enjoyed that, Ryan.
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
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! 👍👍👍
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.
Thank you, Scott! Appreciate your kind feedback.
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 was wondering about that Top Gun scene. Thank you BAP for this video
Was in the US Navy Air when the Blues were flying F8F Bear Cats. Absolutely the best fliers in the World!!
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
Glad you enjoyed it!
My nephew and I couldn’t be prouder!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Cool ❤️🇺🇸💙
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.
I'm from UK, it was fascinating to listen too and one of this videos that i actually listen all the way to the end
Thanks is so much for taking time to listen. Cheers!
Tis interview was more enjoyable than the movie, for me. I'm definitely watching a second time due to info overload. Thank you!
I love how he pointed out that he's not doubling as Tom, but it's Tom doubling as him.
So wise Mr. Weisser. Talented, warm, strict. All the Best to YOU and family. A very interesting intervw.
Privilege hearing this Officer speaking! Great Interview!
Loved this chat. What a great guy!!