The best I ever saw.
Posted by Rob Longenecker on April 15th, 2007
Bob Hoover (born 1922) is a former air show pilot and USAF Test Pilot. His personal trademark is a wide-brimmed straw hat and wide smile. While I was a Naval Aviator and going to air shows, I saw him perform in person several times. Of all the flight demonstrations I’ve seen, his is the most memorable. Incredible pilot.
Here’s a video that illustrates why Bob Hoover (grounded now) was the best of the best.
There are some other videos and articles about Bob if you do a search.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Mr Hoover is addition to being an incredible pilot is also a true gentleman. He is always willing to spend a few minutes and talk to us regular pilots. His shows were incredible!
April 17th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
As a Commercial Pilot myself and a competitive aviator throughout my college years, I can undoubtedly state that there are very few pilots of the class and caliber of Mr. Bob Hoover. His amazing talent, impeccably refined craft and unique ability to safely fly an aircraft to the limits of its envelope and beyond, is the essence of what many aviators aspire to achieve. Mr. Hoovers life-long devotion to aviation along with his ability to demonstrate one mans talent to master a series of great complexities such as his unique style of flight, have made him one of modern aviations most respected, at times controversial, yet undoubtedly admired living legends.
April 21st, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I was fortunate to see Bob Hoover perform his “dead stick” routine in a Commander, finishing – as always – with by rolling to a perfect stop in the very spot he started from.
I’ve never seen a better demonstration of the complete mastery of power management.
I’ve been away from aviation for several years (got to get back to it!) and I’m saddened to hear that he has lost his ticket again.
Joe