Top Gun Inspired Ways to Turn Your Tesla into a Jetfighter

There are few things with more sex appeal than fast cars, supersonic aircraft, high-tech gadgets, and, of course, the people who own them.

How else might one explain the staying power of the James Bond franchise and the incredible success of Top Gun: Maverick?

It is at this critical juncture where fantastic fiction meets real-world form–where today's electric cars can become like stealthy fighter jets.

Here’s what you need to know in order to get started kitting out your Tesla and the top 10 tips, so you and your squadron of fellow fighter pilots can make an awesome impression.

‍

‍

Charging your EV efficiently?
Save automatically with Optiwatt

What is the current state of Tesla tech?

Tesla owners know that their vehicles are more than just an environmentally-friendly means by which to go from point A to point B. Teslas represent a certain status, class, and lifestyle choice.

‍

To wit, for Tesla owners, their cars (and soon-to-be trucks) grant them certain access to an already exclusive club that’s already morphing into a culture (join the conversation here) that’s much greater than themselves. 

The Tesla brand continues to stand for economic and environmental sustainability, yes, but it also means early adopters like you are becoming increasingly more willing to participate in the performance improvement process.

This is not unlike James Bond or Maverick asking for better spy gizmos or advanced radar sensing capabilities. What’s different, however, is just how easy the average Joe or Jane can upgrade their Tesla by taking part in the search for advancements in technology and, in so doing, suddenly find themselves the owner-operator of a bespoke jet-like electric car.

‍

Is the jet-to-car modification really feasible?

Create your own HUD

But first things first—it’s imperative you get up on military jet speak, which should begin with a quick education on the HUD or heads-up display. This allows fighter pilots to look away from the multitude of gadgets found in and around their high-tech cockpits so as to both track an enemy aircraft while also knowing when they will go “BINGO FUEL” (learn about it here).

In order to kit out your own display panels, why not kick up the acronyms with a little AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality)?

Already jets and cars are more like flying (and driving!) computers, which means, unfortunately, an increased likelihood of distractions and safety issues. In order to avoid this, visionaries (no pun intended) like Envisics are planning to roll out holographic dashboards as early as 2023 so that drivers can focus on the road while also receiving updates on fuel consumption, speedometers, and overall journey progress.

‍

What’s more, and not unlike Tesla’s own foray into neuroscience, the tech company plans to incorporate still more readings from the car’s environment to include passenger pulse, heart rate, and overall well-being.

If that seems a bit much or too futuristic, then take comfort in knowing that AR and VR are already being used in numerous aircraft and car manufacturing plants (count Tesla among them) in order to reduce quality defects and, therefore, recalls down the line.

Lastly, why not invest in the bezel-less, 15-inch Tesla display to improve your journey?  Oh, and don’t worry: it was designed by a quantum physicist.

Get a wingman (or woman!)

Despite most fighter jets being single-seaters, no pilot goes into battle alone.

Though he or she may be the only person in the cockpit, there are literally hundreds of other airmen on the ground, in the sky, or in remote locations taking care of one individual so as to avoid a life-or-death situation.

‍

As a Tesla owner, you can afford yourself the same sense of security by engaging with built-in voice commands. This allows you to maintain your focus on the road while having your ‘wingman’ (or woman) take care of your climate and navigation needs.

More classically, but not unlike fighter jets that sometimes find themselves confronted with broken components, why not sign up for Tesla’s roadside assistance so as to boost your peace of mind in the event that you find yourself in need of a reboot or recharge?

Lastly, and should you already be on the road, why not sign up for over-the-air software updates? This means that not only will you have the latest and great tech specs, but you will never be flying solo in the event you need assistance.

Work with the competitor

No, we don’t mean the Russians; rather, we mean to suggest that all drivers have the ability to look to those complementary service providers that can take their car’s performance to the next level.

Despite Lockheed Martin and Boeing frequently vying for the military’s biggest aircraft contracts, they ultimately teamed up to develop the F-22 and, in so doing, leveraged each other’s strengths in creating a fighter jet unlike any before it.

‍

‍

Tesla owners can and should continue to take advantage of strategic partnerships at the corporate level (read Panasonic) but may also wish to support calls for still more pan-European and Asian deal-making that will ultimately defeat the collective enemy: climate change.

Skunk Works

Speaking of Lockheed Martin, this leading jet manufacturer is renowned for its never-say-die project incubator Skunk Works.

By working with its customers, Lockheed Martin has since developed the F-35, which can be modified for use across multiple militaries and departments the world over.

The same is becoming more and more true for Tesla, with development labs in Germany as well as the release of similar models in China.

If those destinations seem a little far out there, then consider joining the conversation and ultimately submitting your data closer to home in Fremont, California, where a new R&D lab (code name: the Future Energy Reliability Lab) is sure to be requesting driver-based information not before too long.

Performance

Of course, fighter pilots are obsessed with their performance in the skies, but they’re also equally obsessed with how their jet performs.

‍

In order to get a true and complete assessment, however, they need to take into account other limiting factors such as weather, routing restrictions, and whether they met their mission objectives.

Now while your mission may just be a simple journey to the grocery store, driving a Tesla requires far more planning and performance analysis than, say, the standard motor vehicle. This is why it’s critical to collect feedback so as to plan more efficient and effective missions in the future (even if they are just for the local farmer’s market).

Apps like EVTO (EV Trip Optimizer) are a great way to immediately understand where your Tesla could be performing better so you can adjust your own driving behavior accordingly.‍

Get over looks

Embrace form, fit, and functionality. Most aircraft designs, like those of cars, often only take shape after numerous iterations and are based on the needs of the end user. This can see doors and other seemingly useless fixtures on the already limited surface area of aircraft get a new and extreme makeover.

Electric cars are no different, especially given that they, too, have weight and surface area limits. Thus, it should come as no surprise that some owners are adding flexible solar panels to their Teslas in order to gain just that much more of a fraction of cost savings at the (energy) pump.

Upgrade your avionics

As previously mentioned, it’s important to know your military acronyms, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your current set of wheels.

And even though you may not be in the market for a MADL, AESA, or DAS, Tesla offers its own take on the concept of sensor fusion or the ability to synthesize multiple data streams into one clear picture of the current operational environment.

Tesla’s autonomous driving upgrades take advantage of numerous sensors, recorded video, live camera feeds, and external data inputs (e.g., traffic patterns, weather, etc.) in order to help improve both your situational awareness of current driving conditions and enable you to make smarter, more cost-conscious decisions on how much to push your ride or when it’s time for a recharge.

‍

MRO

Speaking of taking some downtime, did you know that most fighter aircraft have been operational for the better part of four decades? What car do you know that sports that sort of longevity? Not many, right?

Rhetorical questions aside, how does the military achieve such an extended lifecycle on multimillion-dollar assets that are pushed to the breaking point day in, day out?

They undergo routine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

And just like your Tesla no longer needs to go into the shop on an annual basis, fighter jets still maintain a regular schedule of downtime based on current performance. In other words, jets like to fly just like cars like to drive.  It’s only when they’re out of operation or encounter an extreme environment that they become unreliable.

That said, maintain detailed records of your car’s performance, downtime, and environmental factors so as to better troubleshoot issues in the future and to keep your car running for up to a million miles or more.

Cost savvy

Though you might not know it from the enormous Department of Defense budget, the military (and jet builders in particular) are very cost conscious.  The lowest bidder is the one who gets the contract, and the more fighter aircraft a Lockheed Martin or Boeing can build, well, the better.

‍

The same is true (at scale) for the Tesla owner.

The cost of fossil fuels and their derivatives is just one reason many switch from standard gas-guzzlers to electric motor vehicles, but there are still other expenses that can quickly overwhelm a new Tesla owner, including electricity rate charges, peak charging hours, and charger availability.

In order to maximize your car’s potential as a money-saving machine, take a page out of the fighter jet’s book and look for cost savings like tax credits, means for extending the lifespan of your vehicle, and the benefits of upgrading your car in order to sell it back or upgrade at a net profit.

Autopilot autonomous driving

Few folks may know this, but aircraft operate predominantly on autopilot as computer sensors and inputs can make far more minor decisions on how best to optimize a flight than can a pilot.

‍

There’s still a need, of course, for a cockpit operator as not all events or circumstances have been fully accounted for via machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence.

Still, driving your Tesla while simultaneously taking advantage of the $8,000 full self-driving (FSD) computer is as close to flying on autopilot as you may get in the near future. This feature not only lets you look elsewhere while simultaneously taking note of your data and information, such as journey length, duration, and time to the next charge, but can also be used as a possible revenue stream via Robotaxi or other ride-sharing schemes.

If the price tag is less than enticing, there are, of course, other less costly options at a cool $4,000.

Do note, however, that your ability to take down MiGs while simultaneously planning that same night’s shenanigans might not be up to Top Gun standards.

Are you ready for takeoff?

‍

Sure, a lot of these top tips appear to be quite obvious and not the least bit sexy when compared to a James Bond or Maverick-esque character.

The truth remains, however, that tech appeal is sex appeal and that the combination of data, information, and analytics is what keeps fighter jets on the cutting edge of performance and reliability.

In summary, it’s important to download and begin to take advantage of all open-sourced applications. That way, you will be able to gain a better understanding of your current operational environment and determine what behavioral patterns you may need to change.

For example, you may learn through the power of crowd-sharing information that you could save cents on the dollar by charging your vehicle during the day versus peak energy times in the evening or early morning. Additionally, you may also be able to quickly perform a few cost-benefit and ROI calculations in order to realize that a Robotaxi or FSD option will pay itself off in no time and leave you more flush than a poker-playing James Bond after a night out at the casinos.

‍

Regardless, and in returning from La La Land, there are still big cost savings to be had when looking to upgrade your Tesla, as well as the peace of mind that you’ll reduce your carbon footprint.

And that’s surely something even Maverick would salute to.