Commercial pilot lives Top Gun dream in entertaining take-off

A pilot and steward for Southwest Airlines in the US have treated passengers to a special take-off as they recreated the cult film Top Gun.

In video uploaded by a passenger online on Saturday, the plane taxied down the runway towards take-off from Houston while the iconic Kenny Loggins song “Danger Zone” blared over the PA system.

The air steward began freestyling lines related to the hit 1986 film, which starred Tom Cruise as lead character Maverick.

“Relive those navy days cap”, the steward urged the pilot.

As the plane left the runway, the steward - possibly assuming the role of Maverick’s co-pilot Goose – cracked, “You gotta get up there Mav, they’re moving in for the shot.”

With the plane comfortably in the sky, the steward gave passengers a minor scare.

“Ok. Ready Maverick? Do a barrel roll!,” he said.

In the opening scene of the film, Maverick is repeatedly warned to refrain from a fly-by of the control tower; thankfully, this pilot for Southwest Airlines was a little more restrained.