Jacob La Cour

Continuity mistake: When Maverick and Goose land in the sea by parachute, they are virtually on top of each other. But on the way down they are quite far apart, and would definitely not have landed in exactly the same spot.

Jacob La Cour

Continuity mistake: In the first dogfight there are several shots where the planes are very close to the ground - especially one flying over a flat desert where you can see the planes' shadows. In those shots they are definitely below 10,000 feet. However it is only later said that they are going below the hard deck.

Jacob La Cour

Continuity mistake: The night before graduation, Maverick is parked on his bike at the runway. An incoming jet is seen, with gear and hook down. But in the next shot the jet just keeps flying. And it's not a test landing and take-off. It's two different planes mixed.

Jacob La Cour

Continuity mistake: The flight where Goose dies begins over land - where the pilots are chatting. When they see the enemy they are over water. In the next shot they are over mountains and desert again, until they land on the water. That doesn't add up. There are no places in California where the desert goes all the way to the coast with no towns at all.

Jacob La Cour

Factual error: No part of the Indian Ocean could be described as 'enemy territory' for US ships in 1986.

Jacob La Cour