Bob Hoover, one of history’s greatest pilots, dead at 94
Source: MN Public Radio
One of the greatest pilots in the history of aviation died this morning, according to reports.
Bob Hoover, a World War II fighter pilot, a former Air Force test pilot, and the chase plane pilot for Chuck Yeager when he broke the sound barrier for the first time, was 94.
Having been shot down over Nice, France in World War II, Hoover spent 16 months as a POW, spending much of the time in solitary confinement as punishment for two dozen escape attempts. Finally, he succeeded just before the end of the war by stealing a German fighter.
</snip>
Read more: http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2016/10/bob-hoover-one-of-nations-greatest-pilots-dead-at-94/
I used to service Bob's Shrike at Byerly Aviation in the early 90's. Met him a few times and he was just SUCH a great guy.
Soar gently, my friend!!!
Bob's rolls were perfect 1G maneuvers - he could pour tea without spilling a drop!
And, with both engines off in the Shrike, performed aerobatics!
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)truly one of history's greatest pilots.
Dem_Bones
(5 posts)Such a sad day today because of this. Unbelievable person. Bob is like 7 or 10 people all rolled into one person. I could barely keep up with his humor, kindness, energy, knowledge. Actually, I could never keep up, but was blessed to watch and listen in awe. Ugh.
groundloop
(11,487 posts)Absolutely superb pilot... I'll always remember his engine out demonstrations in the Shrike Commander.
pdxflyboy
(672 posts)I saw him perform at an air show in Bridgeport, CT around 1979. He had no equals.
See ya on the other side. RIP, Bob
blm
(112,919 posts).
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,270 posts)RIP, Bob!
FigTree
(347 posts)His coordination is so light, fast and precise... Leaves us like Salieris listening to Mozart.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)Remarkable pilot and aviation ambassador. RIP Bob Hoover.
Dem_Bones
(5 posts)Cooley, so much for those video clips. Just showed the kids.... Thanks. !!!!!
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Ryano42
(1,577 posts)Is the fact he did so much in the air and lived a long full life
LongTomH
(8,636 posts)I saw Bob perform his engine-out maneuver at an airshow at Richards-Gebaur AFB here in Missouri in the 90s. His maneuver was a physics lesson as well as an aerobatic demonstration; Bob continually exchanged potential energy for kinetic energy and vice-versa.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)CLEVELAND Air Show. He'd shut #1 down and do some tolls/loops and then shut #2 down, do a loop, and frigging land it like a glider. RIP.
trof
(54,255 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)amazing.