1985
After a harrowing encounter with a bogey, cocky Naval Aviator Pete Mitchell, known as Maverick, and his Radar Intercept Officer Nick Bradshaw, or Goose, are assigned to the elite Top Gun school. Maverick immediately clashes with fellow pilot Tom Kazansky, or Iceman, and begins a flirtatious relationship with civilian instructor Charlotte Blackwood, or Charlie, while struggling to balance his reckless flying style with the school's strict rules. During a training exercise, Maverick's F-14 experiences a flameout, leading to Goose's tragic death, and a Board of Inquiry clears Maverick of fault, but he is consumed by guilt and loses his confidence in the cockpit. After seeking advice from his commanding officer, Viper, Maverick returns to duty and, during a real-world mission, he overcomes his fear to engage enemy MiGs, saving Iceman and proving his worth as a pilot, ultimately reuniting with Charlie at Top Gun.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Maverick, a daring naval pilot haunted by past losses, earns a coveted spot at the elite Top Gun school.
Open full beat sheetPete Mitchell is listed as Naval Aviator. Confident, lean, athletic, archetype fighter pilot. In the parsed data, Pete Mitchell is connected to 32 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
32 scenes / 18 dialogue linesCharlotte Blackwood is listed as TAGREF / Civilian Contractor. Ph.D. in astrophysics, instructor. In the parsed data, Charlotte Blackwood is connected to 14 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
14 scenes / 9 dialogue linesTom Kazansky is listed as Naval Aviator. Ice cold, precise, no mistakes. In the parsed data, Tom Kazansky is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
10 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMike Metcalf is listed as Top Gun Instructor. Tough, confident leader. In the parsed data, Mike Metcalf is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesRick Neven is listed as Naval Aviator. Blond, good-looking pilot. In the parsed data, Rick Neven is connected to 9 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNick Bradshaw is listed as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). Wildman, humorous, Maverick's RIO. In the parsed data, Nick Bradshaw is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesRon Kerner is listed as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). Iceman's RIO. In the parsed data, Ron Kerner is connected to 8 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWolfman is listed as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). Hollywood's RIO. In the parsed data, Wolfman is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTom Otawoczek is listed as CO VF 101. Squadron Commander. In the parsed data, Tom Otawoczek is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesRick Heatherly is listed as Top Gun Instructor. Stonefaced instructor. In the parsed data, Rick Heatherly is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 23.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBill Cortell is listed as Naval Aviator. Calm, steady pilot who suffers from vertigo. In the parsed data, Bill Cortell is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWalter Merlin is listed as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). Maverick's RIO. In the parsed data, Walter Merlin is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA Tomcat lands on the USS Kitty Hawk during a typhoon.
Tom OtawoczekCougar and Goose intercept a bogey while Maverick and Wizard provide cover.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Bill Cortell, Walter MerlinCougar turns in his wings; Maverick and Goose are assigned to Top Gun.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Bill Cortell, Tom OtawoczekPilots socialize at the O Club; Maverick meets Iceman.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Tom Kazansky, Ron Kerner, Rick Neven, WolfmanMaverick and Goose interact with other pilots and women at a bar while Maverick feels tension with Iceman.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Tom Kazansky, Ron Kerner, Rick Neven, WolfmanMaverick follows Charlie into the women's restroom and they have a flirtatious confrontation.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodMaverick surprises Charlie by hiding in the back of her car.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodViper introduces Charlie as the new instructor and Maverick challenges her technical knowledge.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Charlotte Blackwood, Mike Metcalf, Rick Heatherly, Rick NevenMaverick and Charlie discuss life, death, and combat while at the beach.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodMaverick and Charlie discuss the nature of death, fear, and the risks of being a pilot.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodA volleyball game between Maverick/Goose and Ice/Slider.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Tom Kazansky, Charlotte Blackwood, Ron KernerMaverick rides his motorcycle with Charlie.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodMaverick and Charlie share a moment and make a pact.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodViper reviews the flight performance of Maverick and Ice.
Pete Mitchell, Tom Kazansky, Charlotte Blackwood, Mike Metcalf, Ron Kerner, Rick NevenPilots prepare for flight and discuss their personal lives.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Rick Neven, Wolfman, Tom OtawoczekMaverick and Ice engage in a training dogfight.
Pete Mitchell, Nick Bradshaw, Tom Kazansky, Mike Metcalf, Rick Heatherly, Rick NevenViper talks to Maverick after the accident.
Pete Mitchell, Mike MetcalfMaverick and Charlie play 'strip reality' on the beach.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodA Board of Inquiry clears Maverick of fault in the 29 July accident and restores his flight status.
Pete Mitchell, Mike MetcalfMaverick lies on his bunk ignoring a ringing phone.
Pete MitchellMaverick struggles to feel comfortable in the cockpit during pre-flight.
Pete MitchellMaverick refuses to engage a bogey during a training flight.
Pete MitchellViper and Jester discuss Maverick's inability to engage.
Mike Metcalf, Rick HeatherlyMaverick decides to quit, and Fungus tries to talk him out of it.
Pete MitchellCharlie arrives at the airport to find Maverick.
Charlotte BlackwoodCharlie finds Maverick at a bar and they have a final conversation.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodMaverick seeks advice from Viper on whether to quit or return to flight status.
Pete Mitchell, Mike MetcalfGraduation party is interrupted by news of a mission.
Pete Mitchell, Tom Kazansky, Mike Metcalf, Rick Heatherly, Rick Neven, WolfmanMaverick sits in his Tomcat on alert.
Pete MitchellMaverick waits for launch on the catapult.
Pete MitchellStinger briefs the pilots on the mission.
Pete Mitchell, Tom Kazansky, Ron Kerner, Rick Neven, Wolfman, Tom OtawoczekIce and Hollywood encounter MiGs.
Tom Kazansky, Ron Kerner, Rick Neven, WolfmanMaverick engages the MiGs.
Pete Mitchell, Tom Kazansky, Ron KernerMaverick and Ice return to the carrier.
Pete Mitchell, Tom Kazansky, Ron Kerner, Tom OtawoczekMaverick returns to Top Gun and is met by Charlie.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte Blackwood, Mike Metcalf, Rick HeatherlyMaverick lands his jet and is greeted by Charlie on the flight line.
Pete Mitchell, Charlotte BlackwoodThis is "Bullseye". A rescue operation is to begin within the hour. Your mission is to give air support to that rescue.
Slider -- they let you into Top Gun? If you're among the best in the Navy, I tremble for the security of this country.
The Board of Inquiry finds that Lt. Evan Mitchell was not at fault in the accident of twenty-nine July.
You got your F-14, you got Top Gun, you got your MiGs....You're our new Top Gun instructor...Now what?
I think that if you do, if you choose to come back, you'll be a better pilot... a better man.
He just won't engage. He can't do it, Skipper. He can't get back on the horse.
You perform a split S. That's the last thing you should do.
Oh...I'll think of something... What are you doing here?
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