Last Updated on December 23, 2022 by The HD Post Staff
APPLE VALLEY – Pulling 10 G’s, performing tumbles, loops and rolls are some of the aerobatics, pilot Chuck Coleman, will be maneuvering at the Apple Valley Airshow, October 8. The Top Gun Maverick flight instructor invites everyone out to the show “to see what we do.”
“The Apple Valley Airport is a community airport. There’s so much history,” said Coleman. “It’s great to come out to the airport and see World War II planes, jets, my aerobatic plane. I’ll be doing crazy aerobatics. It’s entertainment for everybody.”
Coleman says he grew up wanting to learn how to fly. Originally from Michigan, he went into aerospace. After earning his Engineering degree, Coleman got hired at McDonnell Aircraft where he worked on F-18 combat jets. He eventually moved to the High Desert. He now provides flight instruction and aerobatic ride-a-long flights to the public.
These flights recently attracted the attention of Top Gun Maverick producers. Coleman was hired to take eight of the actors on aerobatic flights to capture realistic facial expressions for the film. He prepared them to fly in the F-18’s in his Extra 300L plane.
The Extra 300L, a composite airplane, has two seats – someone can sit in the front seat and the pilot flies solo in the back.
“We can pull those 10 Gs,” said Coleman. “It’s just incredible. Come out and see it. Just amazing stuff — with smoke going out. We’ll be flying backwards — tumbling. A lot of great stuff.”
Other highlights for this year’s show are the TA-4 Skyhawk military jet, the Dawn Patrol RV Formation Team, Air Racer and aerobatics pilot Vicky Benzing, Rich Piccirilli with Just In Time Skydivers and Paratroopers jumping from the C-53 Skytrooper D-Day Doll.
On the ground there will be experimental and vintage airplane displays, military vehicles, and the NAPA® Auto Parts Car Show “Show and Shine.” Inglis Classics “Hot Rod Hotties” models will make an appearance and the Modd Rodds will be performing live music.
For more information about the Apple Valley Airshow visit https://applevalleyairshow.com/
