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Charles Thomas Coleman (1963 – October 20, 2024) was an American pilot, aerospace engineer, and test pilot. He worked with many major aircraft companies, such as McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, Bede Jet Corporation, and Scaled Composites. Chuck Coleman also performed at airshows and helped design, test, and fly experimental aircraft. He was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) as an Associate Fellow and served on the board of directors for the Mojave Air and Space Port. With over 10,800 flight hours, Coleman had a long and successful career as a commercial, test, and instructor pilot.
Early Life and Education
Chuck Coleman was born in 1963 in Michigan, U.S., and raised in St. Johns, Michigan. He was the son of Thomas Coleman and JoAnn (Benedict) Smith. He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering in 1985.
Career
After graduating, Chuck Coleman began working as a design engineer at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. For six years, he worked on several military jet projects. One of his key roles was serving as the Senior Design Engineer on NASA’s High Alpha Research Vehicle, a modified F/A-18 Hornet, which explored new flight capabilities. Chuck Coleman also worked on converting F/A-18 jets into performance planes for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team.
Later, Chuck Coleman joined Bede Jet Corporation, where he worked as a project engineer and test pilot. He tested experimental jets such as the BD-10 and BD-12. In 2002, he moved to Scaled Composites, a pioneering aerospace company in Mojave, California. At Scaled Composites, Coleman worked as both a performance engineer and a test pilot. Chuck Coleman helped design and test the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, the first jet to fly around the world non-stop without needing to refuel.
Chuck Coleman was also involved in testing the Proteus high-altitude jet and systems for SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded spacecraft to carry a human into space. In addition to this, he trained astronauts for SpaceShipOne flights and served as a chase pilot during its missions. Chuck Coleman also flew as a test pilot for the ICON A5, a light-sport amphibious aircraft.
Airshow Performances and Hollywood Work
Beyond engineering and testing, Chuck Coleman performed at many airshows, flying aerobatic planes for well-known pilots like Patty Wagstaff and Sean D. Tucker. He also worked with companies like Discovery Channel, Toyota Airsports, and Paramount Pictures. In 2018, Chuck Coleman played a key role in training the actors for the film Top Gun: Maverick. He trained stars like Glen Powell, Miles Teller, and Monica Barbaro by taking them on over 140 G-tolerance flights to prepare them for their roles in the movie aerial scenes, where they flew in F/A-18F Super Hornets.
Achievements and Awards
Throughout his career, Chuck Coleman earned several prestigious awards. He won two Collier Trophies, one in 1994 for his work on the McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster, and another in 2004 for his contributions to SpaceShipOne. Chuck Coleman was also part of the Scaled Composites team that won the Ansari X Prize, a competition that awarded a cash prize to the first non-government group to launch a reusable crewed spacecraft into space twice within two weeks.
Death
On October 20, 2024, Chuck Coleman tragically died in a plane crash while performing aerobatics at the Las Cruces Air & Space Expo in New Mexico. His Extra EA-300 aircraft crashed while he was performing stunts. He was 61 years old at the time of the accident.
Legacy
Chuck Coleman left a lasting mark on the aerospace world through his engineering, test piloting, and aerobatic performances. His contributions to experimental aviation and spaceflight will continue to be remembered, especially his involvement in groundbreaking projects like SpaceShipOne and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.
FAQs
1. What is Chuck Coleman real name?
- Chuck Coleman real name is Charles Thomas Coleman.
2. How old was Chuck Coleman when he died?
- Chuck Coleman was 61 years old when he died on October 20, 2024.
3. What was Chuck Coleman career?
- Chuck Coleman was an American test pilot, aerospace engineer, and airshow performer. He worked with companies like McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, Bede Jet Corporation, and Scaled Composites.
4. Where did Chuck Coleman go to college?
- He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering in 1985.
5. Who were Chuck Coleman parents?
- Chuck Coleman parents were Thomas Coleman and JoAnn (Benedict) Smith.
6. Was Chuck Coleman married or in a relationship?
- There is no specific public information about his wife or relationship status.
7. Did Chuck Coleman have any children?
- Public information does not mention whether Chuck Coleman had children.
8. What was Chuck Coleman nationality?
- Chuck Coleman was American.
9. What movies or TV shows was Chuck Coleman involved in?
- Chuck Coleman trained the actors for "Top Gun: Maverick" (2018), working with stars like Tom Cruise, Glen Powell, and Miles Teller to prepare them for the film's aerial scenes.
10. What were Chuck Coleman notable achievements?
- Chuck Coleman won two Collier Trophies for his work on the C-17 Globemaster and SpaceShipOne projects. He was also part of the team that won the Ansari X Prize for launching a reusable crewed spacecraft into space.
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