Danger Zone

Trainee fighter pilots fly state-of-the art jets in Britain’s answer to Top Gun

Do you feel the need? The need for speed? It’s been more than 30 years since Tom Cruise roared on to the big screen in 1986 film Top Gun, which followed high-flying fighter pilots at a US naval school.

A sequel is due to land in cinemas next year, but this week, ITV is journeying into the ‘danger zone’ with a new three-part documentary series charting the highs and lows for real-life fighter pilots at Britain and America’s ‘Top Gun’ academies.