Bob Hoover dead at 94.

[Rookie50]

http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2016/1 ... ead-at-94/

[BeaverDreamer]

Sad. Truly a legend in aviation. I remember my old man showing me videos of his Aero Commander shenanigans when I was younger and not being very impressed. Things have sure changed!

[Aussiecat]

We got to hear him talk at Osh '15. Sad day

[Sidebar]

What a ride he had!

[fleet16b]

Bang the drum slowly today people , for the greatest pilot in the history of mankind is gone . Mr R. A. Bob Hoover has passed away at the age of 94. His passing marks the beginning of the end of an era of pilots that came from the"Greatest Generation" .
Yes there are still some of them around but not of his calibre. Even . Yeager alluded to Mr Hoover being better than him. Its a cliche I know, but they dont make them like this anymore. Ask yourself who is the "Bob Hoover" of this century ? I've been in aviation all my life and I can't name one.
However , in spite of that , he carried himself with a great warmth, modesty and humility, traits that are often rare among "A" personality pilots.
He set the benchmark that so many pilots after him sought to achieve . I'm afraid none of us have even come close to that mark. He will be sadly missed by later generations of pilots that came after him and his absence at Airventure , the worlds greatest yearly aviation event will be felt greatly by all.
On another note; Aviation is known to have more than a few ego heavy personalities in it . Guys that walk big and think they are, as Pancho Barnes said "Shithot Pilots " (lol) It has always amazed me that all these HOTDOGS turned to mush and bowed when Mr Hoover was in their midst . Very telling of who the man was isnt it. ?

[Siddley Hawker]

RIP Good Sir.

Bob was shot down and taken prisoner toward the end of WWII, in 1944. He stole a FW 190 and flew it back to a friendly airfield in Belgium. That takes big ones, made of brass.

[righthandman]

Bang the drum slowly today people , for the greatest pilot in the history of mankind is gone . Mr R. A. Bob Hoover has passed away at the age of 94. His passing marks the beginning of the end of an era of pilots that came from the"Greatest Generation" .

WELL SAID! (I mean the entire thing you wrote). Saw him in action at the London (Ontario) Airshow in the '80's doing the one engine and two engine out routine in the Shrike Commander. I did 25 hours of aerobatic training myself so I had a slightly better appreciation than some might have and I was very impressed. Met him at Oshkosh also; he picked me up and gave me a ride (in a car i Mean). Nice guy.

[fleet16b]

[quote="righthandman
WELL SAID! (I mean the entire thing you wrote).[/quote]


Thanks