Find and remember the number (located under the cockpit on the side of the plane) of the F14 airplane that Maverick and Goose were in when Goose dies (during his ejection). Then go to the very end fight at the end of the movie. That same plane (the one that supposedly crashed)is used in that fight. There are also many instances of planes being in the air that are different from the ones that took off - you just have to pay attention to the numbers!