Stinger [to Maverick after the last dogfight]
How's it feel to be on the front page of every newspaper in the English-speaking world, even though the other side denies the incident? Congratulations.
Played by James Tolkan 
Top Gun (1986) · 60 quotes
Top Gun (1986) · 60 quotes
Tied for 6th most-quoted character in Top Gun (1986): in 5 of its 60 quotes
Most scenes with: Maverick (2)
Scenes with Stinger
5 scenes Stinger
Cougar
God dammit, Mustang! This is Ghost Rider 117, this bogey is all over me. He's got missile lock on me. Do I have permission to fire?
Stinger Do not fire until fired upon!
Stinger Maverick, you just did an incredibly brave thing. What you should have done was land your plane! You don't own that plane, the taxpayers do! Son, your ego is writing checks your body can't cash. You've been busted, you've lost your qualifications as section leader three times, put in hack twice by me, with a history of high speed passes over five air control towers - and one admiral's daughter!
Penny Benjamin? [Maverick shrugs]
Stinger [to Goose]
And you, asshole, you're lucky to be here!
Thank you, sir.
Stinger And let's not bullshit, Maverick. Your family name ain't the best in the Navy. You need to be doing it better and cleaner than the other guy. Now what is it with you?
Just want to serve my country and be the best fighter pilot in the Navy, sir!
Stinger Don't screw around with me, Maverick. You're one hell of an instinctive pilot. Maybe too good. I'd like to bust your butt but I can't. I got another problem here. I gotta send somebody from this squadron to Miramar. I gotta do something here, I still can't believe it. I gotta give you your dream shot! I'm gonna send you up against the best. You two characters, are going to Top Gun. For five weeks, you'll be flying against the best fighter pilots in the Navy. You guys were number two, Cougar was number one. Cougar lost it-turned in his wings. You guys are number one. But you remember one thing: if you screw up, just this much, you'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong!
Yes sir!
Stinger [At the carrier, in the midst of the MiG battle, Stinger asks the status of the reinforcement planes]
What about Wilder and Simpkin?
Officer
Both catapults are broken sir, we cannot launch any aircraft yet.
Stinger How long?
Officer
It'll take ten minutes.
Stinger Bullshit ten minutes! This thing will be over in TWO minutes, get on it!
Stinger They gave you your choice of duty son, anything, anywhere. Do you believe that shit? Where do you think you wanna go?
I thought of being an instructor, sir.
Stinger [spews cigar smoke into Maverick's face]
TOP GUN?!?
Stinger God help us. [starts chuckling]
