PILOT RETURNS FOR BARKSDALE AIR SHOW

Kevin Coleman is living out his childhood dream and getting to travel all around the world while he does it.

A second-generation pilot and second-generation air show performer, Coleman, a Coushatta native, was always fated to be an aviator.

“I started flying as a little kid,” Coleman said. “My dad did air shows, and I’ve been in an aviation family my whole life.”

Coleman really knew he wanted to be a pilot from the time he was just 3 years old, he said, but he didn’t get to begin his professional career until the age of 19. Before that time finally came, he made sure to hit every flying milestone as soon as he could.

“I started taking lessons at 10, soloed on my 16th birthday, got my license on my 17th birthday and got my commercial license on my 18th birthday, which is the youngest you can do it,” he said.

According to Coleman’s Facebook page, “Kevin has been fortunate enough to have been trained and mentored by the absolute best in the past and present air show world including Bill Stein, Michael Goulian, Sean D. Tucker and with legendary Air Show Hall of Fame member Marion Cole.”

Coleman, who resides in Shreveport, also took the time to obtain his aviation management degree from Louisiana Tech University in 2013.

The air show season and race season typically last from March to November, so from about February until November Coleman spends most of his time flying, practicing three times a day, five days a week.

“I’m booking shows and getting ready for the season, and so basically everything is planned out pretty well in advance for the big events,” Coleman said.

One of Coleman’s biggest professional milestones most recently is becoming the first American to compete in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Cup.

“The Red Bull Air Race World Championship has become globally renowned as the fastest and most exhilarating motorsport series on the planet,” according to www.redbullairrace.com. “A combination of high speed, low altitude and extreme maneuverability makes the sport accessible only to the world's most exceptional pilots.”

In his rookie debut at Red Bull in Abu Dhabi, Coleman was the youngest person to participate, but he was almost able to beat the most experienced pilot, Daniel Ryfa.

“It was pretty awesome,” he said. “I did really well in training and posted a lot of good times and ended up finishing second in the race.”

Coleman finished less than one second behind Ryfa. His next competition for the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Cup will be April 23-24 in Spielberg, Austria.

“That’s the next big race coming up,” Coleman said. Other races in the series will follow in Chiba City, Japan; Budapest, Hungary; Ascot, England; Lausitzring, Germany; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Las Vegas, Nev.

Coleman is also focusing on training for the U.S. Advanced Aerobatics team. Coleman will compete in August at the World Aerobatic Championships in Poland.

“Right now I’m training three times a day [with a coach]," he said.

Coleman will also perform at the Barksdale Air Force Base Air Show, which will be held April 30 and May 1.

“I will get back from Austria and get to fly my hometown show,” he said.

WANT TO GO?

Admission and parking is free. On-base parking will be made available for visitors entering the North (Bossier) and West (Shreveport) gates. All vehicles will be directed to the flight line parking area. Courtesy bus transportation will also be available from Bossier Parish Community College and will run on a continuous route to and from the show. For more information, visit www. barksdaleafbairshow.com.