American military might, daredevil aerobatics and a full day of family entertainment will all be part of the 2019 Kia of Lake Charles CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW, presented by Phillips 66.

The popular nonprofit event takes place May 10-12 at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles.

DeQuincy’s ties to the event start right at the top. The airshow’s director is Mary Jo Bayles, a city planner who manages DeQuincy Industrial Airpark off La. 12.

General admission tickets are $20 in advance at chennaultairshow.com and $24 at the gate. Children 12 and under admitted are free (general admission), according to Bayles.

Here are the performers and other entertainment, as announced by Bayles and Airshow Board President W. Kevin Melton:

Jet, Aerobatic Headliners

  • F-16 Viper. The Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of one of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighters, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Viper will also conducts an Air Force Heritage flight with a vintage P-51 fighter plane.
  • Phillips 66 Aerostars. Flying at speeds of over 250 miles per hour just a few feet from one another, the four-plane team does barrel rolls, formation loops and opposing maneuvers.
  • Kevin Coleman. At 28, the Louisiana native is one of the world’s youngest airshow stars in his signature Extra 300SHP.
  • An authentic Soviet-built MiG-17F. Pilot Randy Ball pulls 8-G turns, and reaches speeds approaching 700 mph.
  • Red Bull aerobatic helicopter. It’s retrofitted to roll and fly upside down.
  • Kirby Chambliss, Red Bull aerobatic pilot. Chambliss is a five-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion.

Military Might

  • B-17 Flying Fortress. The historic “Texas Raiders,” one of less than a dozen B-17 (“Flying Fortress”) airplanes still flying, will rumble proudly in the Chennault skies in a real-life tribute to our nation’s military heritage.
  • “American Dream” P-40 Warhawk. It’s one of only five TP-40s known to exist. It’s dual-controlled, with a dual cockpit. It’s used for training fighters — and it tours with an aerobatic airshow act.

Salute: Females In Flight

The Airshow also will be salute women in aviation because the events take place during Mother’s Day weekend. There will be performances by:

  • Jacquie Warda—who flies as “Jacquie B”— will be the first female stunt pilot of her kind to perform at the Chennault International Airshow. She executes aerobatic feats in a custom Extra 300 monoplane.
  • Wing walker Ashley Shelton will be thrill the crowd atop a plane.
  • Ladies for Liberty, the Andrews Sisters-style singing group, will perform 1940s hits and harmonize on patriotic songs.

Other Entertainment

  • Wild Blue Rodeo. “Wild Blue” is an RV-8A that wants to be a fighter jet during the day and a police car at night. One of the pilots is Louisiana’s own Josh Boudreaux.
  • Red Bull jump team. Four daredevil aerial acrobats jump and soar toward Chennault, wowing the crowd and sticking the landing.
  • Matt Younkin’s Beech 18. A huge transport plane is not designed for aerobatic flight. Nevertheless, Younkin begins with a roll on takeoff, followed by “Cuban eights,” point rolls, and even a loop — before he tilts the huge plane’s wings more than 90 degrees.
  • Aftershock Jet Fire Truck, a 1940 Ford fire engine with 24,000 horsepower.
  • BMX star Terry Adams of Hammond.
  • Precision Exotics. Dream cars will speed along the Chennault runway.
  • Alabama Boys Flying Circus. Hillbillies seeking a flying lesson will take a comedic adventure in a vintage Piper J-3 Cub.

For Young People

  • The SASOL Stem Tent will showcase exhibits tied to science, technology, engineering and technology (STEM) areas, with McNeese and SOWELA taking part.
  • The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Kids’ Zone will offer an area of fun and recreation.
  • People of all ages can visit the Dream Big exhibit and the Dash Aero cockpit simulator trailer.

Displays

Here’s a partial list of the aviation and military exhibits:

  • C-5 and KC-135R aircraft..
  • Four T-38 jets, a B-52 bomber, a pair of F-15s and a Naval Reserve F/A-18 .
  • A T-6 Texan II and a pair of A-10 Thunderbolts — as well as a P-40, C-17, Bell H-13 Sioux Warrior, 1955 T-34A and Cessna 182.
  • Lake Area Radio Kontrol (LARK) models, a U.S. Coast Guard 26-foot rescue boat, motorized parasail, 1955 Jeep and a Louisiana Air National Guard Humvee.

Ticket Information

The Airshow opens May 10 with a Friday evening show, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. The shows on May 11 and May 12 (Mother’s Day) will have gates opening at 9 a.m. and the welcoming ceremonies beginning at 11:30 a.m.

In addition to general admission, premium seating is also available.

Parking is free. Food, beverages and souvenirs will be sold.

Proceeds from the nonprofit Airshow benefit STEM education outreach, such as educational grants to teachers, scholarships, Airshow field trips and visits to classrooms.