Stunts › Sequences › Top Gun: Maverick (2022) ›
Low-altitude canyon run rehearsal
Mission-rehearsal canyon-run flights at 100 feet above ground level over the Cascade and Owens Valley canyon systems. Real F/A-18s at 580 knots over real terrain; camera Astar B2 helicopter at 200ft AGL with a Shotover F1 gimbal. The flight envelope was the most aggressive low-altitude profile the Navy has ever cleared for a film production.
Rigging
Equipment + technique
helicopter-gimbal
Mfr ShotoverF1 gimbal carrying Sony VENICE + 24-290 Angenieux Optimo zoom. Astar B2 helicopter at 200ft AGL trailing the F/A-18s.
Safety
Officer + bulletins
Bulletins observed
- SAG-AFTRA Bulletin #20 (Aerial)
- SAG-AFTRA Bulletin #21 (Helicopter)
Rigging glossary
3 rigs used in this sequence
Each entry explains how the rig works mechanically and the safety bulletin that governs it. Click through for the full glossary detail.
descender
Fan descender
A controlled vertical descent rig where a centrifugal fan brake regulates rope payout. The reference rig for the Burj Khalifa work in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol.
aerial
Helicopter mount (external stunt platform)
External hard-mount platform on a stunt-rated helicopter, used for sustained aerial performance work — Tom Cruise's helicopter chase in Fallout, every modern airbase boarding sequence.
aerial
Wingsuit BASE
High-altitude wingsuit performance — Mission: Impossible has used it; almost no other narrative production has.
References
Further reading
- Flying Top Gun: Maverick with Ryan Tudhopefxguideinterview