Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Ernst.
Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was on vacation in San Diego with my daughter’s and we stopped in for lunch at the Top Gun bar aka Kansas City Barbeque. As we were sitting there Jerome aka Maverick come’s walking in and we took some photos together. I said let’s go to the piano and re-create the scene from the movie. So, my daughter recorded us, and the video was a huge hit on social media. We stayed in contact and Jerome let me know he was Midway’s Maverick as well and a while later I came back and put on a flight suit to join him on the USS Midway. We made another video “You can be my wingman anytime” and again the video did well on social media. Jerome asked me if I could join him as Iceman during events he is booked for, and I started collecting the flight gear. We had a great time bringing back that loving feeling at every event. When Top Gun Maverick was released, it took us to another level and the parade on Coronado Island July 4th and the event on the USS Midway that night I will never forget. We went to the Miramar Air Show just to walk around and meet everyone and take pictures but had no idea what would happen next. It was a huge success we had the privilege of meeting so many people and the air boss took us around in a golf cart to meet everyone. We joined ICAS after and in 2023 traveled all over the country as air show performers in almost 30 air shows. This 2024 air show season we are booked again and can’t wait to meet everyone and bring back that loving feeling. So, if you meet us give us your BEST Top Gun high five and you can be our wingman anytime!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always challenges with weather, traveling and schedule changes. We do our best to overcome those challenges and continue to push the envelope. The most rewarding part is meeting everyone and making new friendships along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Jerome LeBlanc aka Maverick took me under his wing as a Top Gun Tribute. We are the BEST and only Top Gun Tribute that travels all over the world as members of ICAS to bring back that loving feeling to everyone we meet. We are artists and performers at air shows, conventions, corporate events and parties. We truly love meeting everyone and making new friendships, sharing the love for aviation, our military and Top Gun. There’s no points for second place!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: TheArizonaIceMan
- Facebook: TheArizonaIceMan
- Twitter: TheAZIceman
- Youtube: TheArizonaIceMan
Image Credits
Fuji Ramos
Paramount Pictures
