Maverick's plane's call-sign is 'Ghost Rider,' which was the name of an actual F-14 squadron (VF-142), and a mockup of a Tomcat from that squadron can be seen behind Sundown in the picture when Maverick tells Slider he smells. Further evidence that this is true can be found on the Internet Movie Database, where it is listed as such. Also, Reed apparently has ties to the motorcycle club culture of Los Angeles, since several actors who have played major roles in movies about motorcycles have been members of the MC. They include Emilio Estevez (as Hector Salazar), Charlie Sheen (as Carl Beck), William Fichtner (as Domino), Ben Affleck (as Matt Reeves), and Ali Larter (as Grace Park). Sheen left the club after getting into a fight with another member over a girl, but returned later after being pardoned by the president. Fichtner also left and never came back again. Estevez is not known to be a member now, but he did ride in some chapters' parades back in his Hollywood days. Finally, there is evidence that Reed himself is a big fan of motorcycling. He has said in interviews that his favorite movie is The Getaway, which stars Steve McQueen and James Coburn.