As more tributes are shared about the pilot who died during the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo over the weekend, a Hollywood actor took to social media to remember Charles “Chuck” Coleman.
“Top Gun: Maverick” star Miles Teller posted on X and Facebook on Monday, Oct. 21, shortly after the pilot was identified, sharing his experience with Coleman while training for the film.
“RIP Chuck Coleman. Chuck was our aerobatics flight instructor and instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick. He was an aerospace engineer, air show and test pilot, and our friend and ally. Chuck had a very easy going way about him and we always felt comfortable with his expertise at our disposal. He was kind, humble and curious about others and the world we live in. Gone too soon but his contributions will live on forever. Thanks for the memories, Chuck,” the post said.
The actor also shared photos of Coleman sitting behind him while flying.
RIP Chuck Coleman. Chuck was our aerobatics flight instructor and instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick. He was an aerospace engineer, air show and test pilot, and our friend and ally. Chuck had a very easy going way about him and we always felt comfortable with… pic.twitter.com/93giSZdbgz
— Miles Teller (@Miles_Teller) October 21, 2024
Coleman died in a crash at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo on Sunday, Oct. 20. He offered flight training in his Extra Flugzeugbau 300L aircraft in California and was an aerobatic flight instructor for the actors in “Top Gun: Maverick,” dubbed “Tom Cruise’s School of Flying,” according to his website. He said he flew 140 flights to prepare the actors for flying Navy F-18 Hornets.
In an article from his alma mater, the University of Michigan, Coleman said he spent 100 days in 2018 training actors out of a Venice airport and San Diego naval bases, conducting flights with several actors, including Glen Powell and Miles Teller.
New Mexico State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez acknowledged the incident and held a moment of silence for Coleman at Monday’s city council meeting.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck,” Enriquez said.
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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Actor Miles Teller remembers pilot Chuck Coleman in social media post
