Topgun Days: Dogfighting, Cheating Death, and Hollywood Glory as One of America's Best Fighter Jocks

I was born in 65, my father had started to work for Grumman Aerospace @ the same time. He started as an accountant, by 69 however Leroy Grumman asked my father to attend engineering classes. Shortly there after my dad began working on the airframe of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. He would go on to work on the frames of the A-6 Intruder as well as the E-2 Hawkeye but the F-14 is my pride and joy. I would go on to many Grumman functions such as: Picnics, on occassion Christmas parties and one of my favs: Grummans 50th annivesary. I grew up loving the Tomcat and it was my father who took me to see the Tomcat Fly in the movie: The Final Countdown. Shortly thereafter I had asked my father what it takes to fly the Tomcat and he replied: "I was praying for this day." Because of my father's ties with the US Navy and Grumman Aerospace I would go on to take many tests both for mental and physical abilities and what was so nice then if I had failed any part: "I was not obligated to join the US Navy". Fortunately for me I passed all just the same and it was perhaps one of the: "proudest days of my life." Sadly I would not go on to fly the Tomcat for my father in respect to my mother asked me for her approval and she out of fear of going to war with then: "Russia" had asked me to decline and yep I had. Grumman or the Grumman my father knew is no longer around and the Tomcat as you may know was offically retired from the Navy in 2006. Grumman from all the stories my father has told me over my years was a wonderful company to work for. All her employees worked as a "Team". They took great pride in their work and built perhaps some of the finest aircaft our US Military has seen to date. For me I've had the great fortune of chatting with Dave "Bio" over FaceBook and would go on to say I look foreward to meeting him in person one day. He has written a wonderfully well laid out novel of his own personal experiences of flying the Grumman Tomcat and has done so well you almost feel like your in the RIO's seat with him. Also if your a fan of the movie Top Gun this is a great read into seeing how the movie was actually made. I have personally bought the book from Amazon and have just recently finished it so to you the person reading this comment please go out and purchase this book, "you won't be disappointed" sincerely Al Schneider to you F-14 enthusiasts: "Anytime Baby" :) ps Dave its time to write another.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was exceptional. The cover subtitle may be deceptive since the book is really an excellent six to seven year mini-biography of the author's long journey from being a brand new Naval Flight Officer ensign out of flight training, through transition training to become a Grumman F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), through his first squadron tour and two deployments, to his time as a Topgun instructor. During his two years in Topgun, "Bio" worked hard to become a polished and highly respected instructor giving threat and tactics lectures, flight briefs and, of course, flying on regular training exercises. During the latter part of his tour he became involved, as many others at NAS Miramar did, in the filming of the major motion picture "Top Gun" and in making it the success it was. His behind the scenes descriptions about the filming of the movie and his helping make the actors dialogue more creditable is fascinating and informative. Additionally, his insider perspectives on the natural tension between "absolute reality and authenticity" and the often competing requirements of creating a compelling and commercially successful cinematic experience, and how the major active duty Navy pilots and RIOs assigned to the project were able to strike a balance and make credible compromises between fact and fiction are compelling and make for a greater understanding of the movie version.First and foremost, however, "Bio's" narrative is an exceptionally un-affected and honest telling of the trials and tribulations of a "new guy" trying to learn all there is to know about flying the F-14, adapting and finding his place in squadron life, and the growing pains along the way. His narration of his time in Topgun describes the high professionalism and dedication of the instructors and yields a very humble description of his first "murder boards" and the work and long hours that went into the preparation for every lecture he gave and every flight on which he flew. In addition to his personal story, "Bio" includes numerous sidebars or "intel briefs" that explain in greater detail aspects of Naval aviation like aviator call signs, why there is a RIO in the F-14, Topgun's origin and mission, and simulating enemy aircraft and tactics in the air. These intel briefs help the reader understand the story and the environment the author populated.Anyone wanting a genuine and honest peek at Naval aviation and the effort required to get there and excel will find "Bio's" book a must read pick for the 2010 summer reading list.CAPT Spike Prendergast, USN (Ret)

Bio does a great job of hooking us and giving glimpse of what he went through as a topgun instructor.Within past couple months, ive finished this and before topgun. Waiting for tomcat rio to arrive tomorrow!

Great book for working out. Easy to follow. Good insight into squadron life and what it is like to be in Topgun.

I enjoyed the glimpse into the career of a naval aviator. There is some description of the career path of a naval aviator, life aboard an aircraft carrier, and good look at some behind the scenes filming of Top GunIf you enjoy the carrier life, check out Ward Carroll’s Punk trilogyIf you liked Top Gun, the stories in this book are worth the priceOverall, a very good writing style and an interesting read

Very interesting read about how Top Gun came to be filmed and the way that the stars (namely the F14 Tomcats) did what they did. Enjoyed the read and how Bio kept it interesting

Well worth 5 stars. An exciting,well laid out and written descriptive tale about an interesting subject. Whilst containing an enormous amount of technical details it always remains interesting. Ideal for those who have seen the film Top Gun, but also suitable for those who have not but are interested in aircraft and flying.

It was a very easy read which makes me want to read it again and arrival was quick.

If you liked TopGun the movie yu'll love this book! It covers all the details of the TopGun film, what it takes to be a Naval Aviator and the stories of yesteryear at Miramar with the legendary F-14.

Very interesting read. Fascinating subject matter, nice crossover between the military and Hollywood worlds.