Tom Cruise meets RAF pilots as he spends the day at the Royal International Air Tattoo

He’s known for portraying Hollywood’s best fighter pilot in the Top Gun franchise.

But Tom Cruise met some real life RAF pilots on Saturday as he spent the day at the  Royal International Air Tattoo 2022 at the Fairford base in Gloucestershire.

The actor, 60, appeared in high spirits for the appearance – beaming as he waved to guests during the air show, which takes place annually.

Donning a navy suit and complementing tie, Tom opted for his signature pair of aviator sunglasses for the appearance. 

He gave guests a wave whilst stepping out of his car, before chatting to the pilots in attendance.

Tom then autographed the hats of force members, smiling for a snap with group of pilots as a jet flew above their heads.

Signature: Donning a navy suit and complementing tie, Tom opted for his signature pair of aviator sunglasses for the appearance

Arrived! He gave guests a wave whilst stepping out of his car, before chatting to the pilots in attendance

The spectacular air show featured a special display to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, alongside jets from 17 other Air Forces around the world including Spanish, Jordanian, Swedish and the Republic of Korea completing displays in the sky.

As an extra special weekend, this year also celebrated the United States Air Force’s 75th Anniversary. 

It is the biggest air show in the world, with all proceeds made from the weekend going to The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust – supporting initiatives including engineering and flying scholarships. 

Fans: Tom then autographed the hats of force members as they gathered around him

The real Top Gun: Before snapping a picture with a group of pilots, as a jet flew above their heads

Beaming: He appeared in high spirits for the day, which saw an extravagant air show

The chief executive of the RAF Charitable Trust has said they had to keep Tom Cruise’s appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo top secret.

Paul Atherton said: ‘Tom’s visit is something we’ve been trying really hard to keep under wraps but keeping secrets like that is hard when they’re so exciting.

‘The Top Gun films and Tom’s famous passion for aircraft and flying have really helped to catapult aviation into the spotlight, which will help promote and inspire future generations of young people.

‘RIAT is a home for those who appreciate the brilliance and excitement of the aviation world, so I am delighted to be able to welcome Tom to that home.’

Charity: It is the biggest air show in the world, with all proceeds made from the weekend going to The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust – supporting initiatives including engineering and flying scholarships

Meet and greet: As an extra special weekend, this year also celebrated the United States Air Force’s 75th Anniversary

Amazing: The spectacular air show featured a special display to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, alongside jets from 17 other Air Forces around the world including Spanish, Jordanian, Swedish and the Republic of Korea completing displays in the sky

Secret: The chief executive of the RAF Charitable Trust has said they had to keep Tom Cruise’s appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo top secret

Paul Atherton said: ‘Tom’s visit is something we’ve been trying really hard to keep under wraps but keeping secrets like that is hard when they’re so exciting’

The chief executive added: ‘The Top Gun films and Tom’s famous passion for aircraft and flying have really helped to catapult aviation into the spotlight, which will help promote and inspire future generations of young people’

His Top Gun franchise took the global film market by storm, both in 1986 and 2022, but it’s not all for the big screen – as Tom has actually been a real life licensed pilot since 1994.

And while the jets were flown by someone else in the original flick, it was the actor in the driving seat for the recent sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.

The cast of the film underwent months of flying training in preparation for the role, as they took to the sky themselves for the scenes.

While Tom wasn’t allowed to fly an actual F-18 jet, he was the pilot of other planes during the film – and even had to figure out his own camera shots while in the plane, with no space for a director inside.

Pilot: Tom has actually been a real life licensed pilot since 1994, and flew the jets himself in the recent blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick