This short film is about Bob Hoover -- Legend of Aviation. It came from an interview RJ McHatton had with Bob this past year. Bob Hoover is a living John Wayne type of hero. And a really nice guy. www.inventivepr...
I once had the blessed opportunity to chat with Mr. Hoover at an FBO lobby--before his post-airshow trip back home. I asked him: "If you could summarize all of your flying experience in three points, what would it be?" He looked at me with a gaze that could have frozen a lake. He answered: 1) "Know your limitations; 2) Know the limitations of your airplane; and 3) Never exceed either one." I felt like the kid in the old "Mean Joe Green" Pepsi commercial. Thanks Mr. Hoover.
Dear Mr. Hoover - Sad to know you have passed away. A long life lived to the ripe age of 94. You are a true American Hero in the truest definition of the word. You and your generation will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
One of the finest moments of my years as a pilot was when I met this amazing gentleman at an airshow. He was humble, kind, and gracious for the brief time I was able to speak with him. I inquired if he kept track of how many hours he had in aircraft over his career, and he said: "I don't really go by the hours anymore, I go by how many years I have been flying." This man is the epitome of what a pilot should be and a true magician in the cockpit. I could listen to his intriguing stories forever.
Bob Hoover is the finest man to come out of aviation, second to none. I was fooled by the first airshow I ever went to, it was Kissimmee 1968 and RA "Bob" Hoover was flying. I left the show thinking it was great...but every shoe after that was a come down. It is hard starting at the top.
No other legend pilot shows more class and ability than Bob Hoover. I had the pleasure of sitting down and having a drink with him and several other legend pilots in the early 70's at the Detroit City Airport. I had a flight school and FBO on the airport at the time. This guy never showed any high minded ego and was always friendly to any person who wanted to shake his hand. Bravo on this documentary!
Mr. Hoover is a true gentleman aviator. I met him at an airshow years ago and he signed his book for me. I remember he seemed to take an honest interest the sort of flying I was doing at the time. Not many legends would extend that respect to a lowly Dash 8 pilot.
Great footage of Bob, I first saw Bob at the Reno Air Races in 1968 flying his Mustang as the pace plane and doing his signature roll on takeoff at 50 ft agl with SO. Later doing aerobatics in his Mustang,T28, Saberliner, F86, and of coarse the Shrike, all amazing shows. Bob is truely a part of all the planes he flew. Does anyone have any footage of Bob's aerobatics in the Mustang? Thankyou R.A. Hoover for being such an inspiration to so many pilots.
In 1983 I was at the Madera Airshow with my dad, we were walking around during the show on Sat. and Mr. Hoover had just landed the Shrike in his normal dead stick landing. Back then security was for safety and not a bunch of jerks so you could walk out on the ramp during the show. Mr. Hoover stepped out of the Shrike and we walked up and he started talking to us like we were best buddies. he started the conversation. We stood there and talked to him for 45 minutes and not one sole bothered us. He went through his time flying, and how he did some of his maneuvers. He showed us the plane talked about why he used that plane in his Demo. Just had no problem talking to us. I will never forget that. A true Pilot. A real man. And an inspiration. Thank You Bob Hoover for many years of memories and for stopping and talking to a couple of guys at an airshow. We met one other guy that day who I count as a treasured friend. Ted Contri had just landed in his P-51 and was gassing when we walked up and as with Mr. Hoover he talked with us. He taxied away, Later that day I was dying for a ride so I asked around and got a name and happened on Ted. I asked if he knew the guy and he said yes. I told him I was looking to ask him for a ride. Later that day he happened by me and asked of I had gotten my ride. I told him he had turned me down. Ted, as easy as can be asked me if I was gonna be there tomorrow. I told him yes. He said show up a little early and he will take me up in his. Needless to say I was there early. 5:00. He showed up at 7 and said you ready? I said yes and he said, Help me push it out of the parking spot. We got in and he took me up for nearly an hour. You don't meet guys like that much anymore. Thanks to both of those guys. That's what an airport bum hopes to find at an Airport.
Because of people like Bob Hoover and after years of dreaming of becoming a licensed pilot since I was 7 years ago, two (2) years ago I finally earned my pilots licence. My hat is off to Bob for being a hero to not only myself, but to so many others. Now I am actively trying to recruit people into the magnificent world of aviation. Cheers to my hero and aviation legend Bob Hoover!
Bob Hoover is truly one of the best. I have seen him at several airshows and his performance is amazing. He is an example of a dying breed of pilot, one who understands the very essence of flight and uses common sense basics. His films are still used in flight schools across the nation. An amazing individual with lots of knowledge to impart!!!
My dad was on a handheld too. He called in to his announcer that he was going behind the trees. He called back in saying 'roll dry chemical'. Landed and put it in grass. Rockwell also flew a mechanic up from Texas to fix the wing. Dad has most of it on camera.
I watched this man perform aerobatics at Reno in 1999 when he was in his eighties. Flying a twin aero commander passenger plane, doing loops with both engines turned off a real show man & one of the best pilots in the world.
What a special gentleman. There will never be another Bob Hoover. Such a kind warm soul ,that could fly anything, and make it look easy. I would give anything to have just the talent he had in his little finger. Undoubtedly the best pilot to have ever lived. Rip Bob Hoover.
"The pilot's pilot". Even such words of praise, appreciation, and affection for this man simply do not, cannot, give his character, legacy, and contributions the credit they fully deserve. This is an absolute GIANT of a man, walking among tiny midgets, begging our pardon with every gentle, gracious step he takes. God bless you Bob Hoover!
A truly remarkable human being. Had the the honour of meeting him in 1974 when he was in South Africa performing his unusual aerobatics in his Shrike Commander. Now in his 90s the last of one of the greatest pilots to ever grace our skies. Thanks for the memories Bob.
Woe I've never seen that picture before. Two men I admire the most sitting next to each other. Neil Armstrong and Bob Hoover. Bob Hoover doesn't fly airplanes he becomes the airplane. I saw his show once and still to this day can't believe the pure skill this guy has. Thanks Bob.
I was truly privileged to view an air show that featured Bob Hoover in an “Shrike”/“Aero” commander twin do his routine, complete with his engine(s) out landing, roll out and calm stop in front of the screaming crowd to receive his glass of water as he deplaned!
When I was in pilot training in 1957, I watched in awe as Bob Hoover put on a flying demonstration in his bi-wing plane. I took 8mm movies of it, and still have them somewhere. I didn't know that he was the backup pilot for the X-1 first supersonic flight that Chuck Yeager flew - with a broken hand - that should have been Bob Hoover's flight!
Roger, I had the honor of talking with Mr. Hoover myself. Just as you describe. It was in the 80's at the Cleveland Air show. He was flying the Rockwell P51. I'll never forget the display he put on with that airplane. He did one of the biggest loops I have ever seen in a piston engine aircraft. When he landed it was near the box seating I was in and I walked over to him as I was interested in the Mustang. I did not know anything about Mr. Hoover and I asked him if he was the pilot of the Mustang, he said, yes sir. ( Can you imagine that? Calling a 30 year old kid Sir?) He introduced himself and extended his hand. Like a bonehead I asked if he knew Chuck Yeager. I was so ignorant, I didn't even ask for his autograph. A truly humble man with the greatest flying skills I have seen. Mr. Hoover, if your reading this, I sincerely apologize for being the fool.
I've met Mr. Hoover many times at Oshkosh...He is a kind, and humble man. As a pilot myself I'm in awe of his skill, and jealous of his opprotunities to fly so many different A/C. In this world where the lable "Hero" is so flippantly thrown out there...here is one man who absolutely, truly deserves the title.
Back in 1980,I was a sophomore in high school at Livingston academy,in Livingston tennessee.About 300 of us were on the physical education field and the airport was on a high mountain behind us.A yellow twin engine aircraft came off the mountain and rolled upside down right over our heads.We jumped for joy and said ya,ya,ya I know that was Bob hoover.Never saw it before,or since.He was know for doing that.He would land and tell the folks at the strip he was in training.Then,leave and roll upside down to get that aaahhhh moment.
Norm Crabtree was my Godfather and because of that, got to see MANY airshows!! LOL. Bob Hoover was the best. I loved the Shrike shutdown show. Too bad they didn't post my dad's video of Hoover landing at Marysville, Ohio airshow in the 1980's in the yellow Rockwell P-51 with the wing on fire. Called for dry chemical, landed it and moved it over to grass and popped the canopy and got out like it was any other day. Truly amazing. Oh and by the way, he flew his Shrike show later that day!
I was at the 2and flight of Space Ship one in Mojave. I had the rare privlage of experienceing this with Bob Hoover . Spent the day with him. He is one of the most wonderful souls ever to walk the earth. Spending that day with him and seeing the first commercial space flight has changed me forever.
Each time I hear a recounting of some skirmish, it always brings a smile to my face, because they are so non-chalant about their role and just how much danger they were in. Like this man, I've had a love for flight as long as I can recall. I had dreams of flying from age 2 or 3 and achieved my first certification at 17. Before that, I got into hang gliding, then parasailing, as I didn't need a license. At almost 60, I still dream of flying.
Definitivamente maravilloso. Éste video, me vino a enseñar dos cosas importantísimas; 1. El cómo se sobrepuso a la adversidad, pues se mareaba en las lecciones de vuelo iniciales que recibió. 2. Que fué autodidacta en su aprendizaje de maniobrras acrobáticas. Ésto me llena de ánimo al darme cuenta de todo lo que podemos las personas cuando nos impulsa la determinación por alguna actividad que amamos. Gracias.
What a legend - I saw a clip of him piloting an F-86 and though I'm a Texan born bred Russian - I love the MIG-15 and will stand by it!! But damn it he flew that Sabre so well I actually admired the plane and then I realized it was Bob Hoover :) God Bless Him!!!
Incredible that Roscoe Turner was part of the inspiration for Bob Hoover to become a pilot. I have always loved the story of Roscoe Turner and his pet lion Gilmore who flew around with Roscoe in the cockpit of his planes until he became too big to fit anymore. Turner was much of the inspiration of modern day pilot uniforms of both civilian aviation and also military aviation. Turner believed that in order for a pilot to be considered a "profession" that the pilot needed to 100% look the part. Turner was also well known for his flamboyance and love of the limelight which was also partly the reason he wanted to wear a snappy looking uniform when performing at air shows and also when flying for business aviation. The "Turner Special" was a plane of his own design which was one of the fastest airplanes of it's era and now is on display at the Smithsonian. I'm sure Turner followed Bob Hoover's success until his death in 1970. Hoover is considered one of the greatest aircraft pilots of all time and could do things with an aircraft that not many other pilots in the world could do. Bob Hoover was an inspiration and friend to Sean Tucker who is probably the second greatest pilot of all time and one of the only pilots in history to be allowed to fly in formation with The Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration teams.
This is such an amazing story Bob. My father was at the Battle of the Bulge with the US Army during WWII. He had some stories too. Wish he was still around to tell them. I dream of owning and flying my own historic plane one day. Meanwhile, thanks for bringing me a little closer by sharing your experiences.
I had the wonderful experience of flying the Shrike COmmander with Bob at the controls back in 1984... I knew I was in the presence of a legend and hero... but I didn't know he excaped from enemy POW camp in a German plane!!! WOW! Hand salute to you Bob!
As I kid I managed to see him flying his Yellow P-51 and his Shrike Commander at airshows in Canada and the Northern US. This year I had the pleasure to meet him every day at Airventure 2014. He is an amazing pilot, I had read all about his adventures in WWI and as a test pilot and thanks to the internet can see all of his other demos that I missed. I agree that he is the nicest guy you can ever talk with.
What a LOVELY chap, and so modest, too....hahah! he was airsick, in the beginning, like Nelson was seasick, and it is strange how often the very best people have inauspicious beginnings! what a great guy.
It was a long time ago, and the memory is a little vague, but I saw him at Luke AFB when he put the F100 through its paces. What an awe-inspiring aviator! No need for inflated ego because he's THE REAL DEAL. Thanks for the video.
Used to watch him fly in air shows when I was young. The P-51D or the Aero Shrike Commander twin engine. One hell of a pilot, man and a U.S. test pilot legand! Awsome tribute video. Thanks...
I too got to see Bob Hoover at Pt. Mugu performing in his Shrike Commander. After the show, he gave a little talk to the admiring spectators, courtly as always in his planter's hat. In the talk, he emphasized that the engine-out loops followed by a dead-stick landing was simply a demonstration of energy management. I'd never heard a good pilot showing such an understanding of how basic physics is the underpinning of his delicious flying before. What a guy!
Great American, Great Pilot, amazing person of the greatest generation. Another reason why we won WW2. It makes me feel so Humble but so proud to hear these stories from the mouths of real Heroes.
7:49 I had always heard about him being able to pour a cup of coffee while he rolled the aircraft. That's the first time I've ever seen it. Outstanding.
1st Captain killed in a US hijacking was flying a Turbo Hawk Commander. We need everyone's support in aviation and others to make film a reality. Please look up 58 November and help us spread the word.
Nice video. Hard to capture the life of this man in 7 or 8 minutes though. I've seen Bob Hoover numerous times at Oshkosh. Normally I use the airshow time to visit various vendors, but I'm always on the flight line when Bob is performing. He is a true gentleman in everything he does. Thanks for the video.
I worked for an eccentric billionaire in the 1980s. He had one of Hoover's aerocommanders. It still had the g-meter in it. Great aircraft!! Flew in it many times. BTW, this was just one of two shrikes he had.
I watched Bob Hoover fly his yellow P-51D Mustang at an Air Show at George AFB in 1966. The Thunderbirds were there, and they were flying the old F-100 Flying Pipes. It was the only air show I ever went to with my dad. I went to the first air show that the Thunderbirds flew the F-4 Phantoms at GAFB, but I'm not sure of the year,1969 I think.
To hear someone talk about doing straight up Heroic things - and be so humble about it - this guy is the real thing.. "....a bucket of muddy water and threw it on the German Colonel" - so 13 OTHER guys have a chance for escape..... Like that other guy said - I want to be him when I grow up...
The video description reads that Bob Hoover is a "John Wayne type of hero". I have to disagree: A more accurate description would be "John Wayne, the actor, played a Bob Hoover type of hero." John Wayne played heroes on the big screen, Bob Hoover and his cohorts are real life heroes.
@carnut476 He mentions in his book "Forever Flying" that he wasn't very interested in the astronaut program because they were essentially "along for the ride", and had little control over their craft.
Okay thank you sir, you have made your point very clear now. I tried to end this debate over a week ago about a simple reference i made about 4 months ago to some of the greatest personalities that lived/alive. Yes Senna is dead and you may not consider him the best as your previous comment may suggest. If that's your opinion then fine but me and the other 2 people who liked my comment think otherwise. Senna did not make a "mistake". The crash was due steering column failure. Hardly a "mistake"
