Little makes aviation pedants happier than splitting hairs over what they view as embarrassing inaccuracies and lack of authenticity in movies involving flying machines. I take more of an impressionistic attitude to Hollywood’s treatment of aviation, leaning towards artistic license over literalism.
When you watch movies like "Top Gun" and its long-awaited sequel "Top Gun Maverick" with their breathtaking depictions of air combat, it’s hard not to ponder how on earth these scenes happen. A recent visit to CAE’s flight training center in Burgess Hill, UK, provided some exceptional insights when I met Kevin LaRosa, who was the aerial coordinator for "Top Gun Maverick" and has worked on more than 100 motion pictures including "The Avengers," "Iron Man," "Transformers," and "The Last Knight."
Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
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