EW took to the skies to experience firsthand how hard it is to act while flying upside down.
But mostly, air sickness presented the biggest challenge, as detailed in a particularlygross story from Glenn Powell.
“That’s all real; that’s not made up.”
Glen Powell takes to the skies in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.PARAMOUNT PICTURES
I knew all of this going in, so I have no excuse for what came later.
The propellor came to life noisily, and we taxied into position on the runway.
The joystick was surprisingly sensitive, and the plane dipped and bucked when I took the reins.
Extra 330.EW
But after some instruction from my copilot, we leveled off, and I managed to steer us smoothly.
The feeling of flying, the freedom to navigate anywhere in the sky, is indescribably exhilarating.
After briefly familiarizing myself with the controls, McFly asked if I wanted to try a backflip.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’: EW in the pilot’s seat.EW
Sure, why not?
I followed his instructions and pulled back on the joystick.
The plane began to fly straight up, perpendicular to the ground.
Top Gun: Maverick.Scott Garfield/Paramount
Soon we were upside down, the ground speeding past above our heads.
I continued to pull until we turned right-side up and flew evenly again, parallel to the ground.
From there, I practiced barrel rolls and something called ahammerhead maneuver.
“Imagine if you were responsible for your own sound checks.
And on top of all that, you oughta act.
That’s what they did every day.”
From now on, I imagine I’ll leave it to the professionals.
Top Gun: Maverickis in theaters and on digital now.
See a highly edited, vomit-free video of my flight above.
