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Bob Hoover, probably the best pilot to ever fly an airplane, died yesterday at age 94. Mr. Hoover was a WWII fighter pilot, test pilot, and air show performer for decades. His skill is legendary among pilots. Chuck Yeager wanted Bob as his chase plane and back-up pilot when he flew the X-1 to break the sound barrier.
In 1944, on his 59th combat mission, Mr. Hoover was shot down off of southern France and taken prisoner. He was a POW for 16 months. He escaped, stole a German Fw-190 fighter plane, and flew it to Allied territory in Holland.
Mr. Hoover went on to fly just about everything with a fixed wing, usually far outside its normal performance envelope. He is most famous for doing his aerobatic routine in a Rockwell Shrike, a propeller driven twin-engine business / small commuter aircraft that seats about 6. He would often do parts of his routine, including about the last 2 minutes, with both engines off and the props feathered, using a constant trade-off of altitude versus airspeed to conserve momentum.
The man knew more about the nuances and precision of flying than almost anyone else on earth. I had the honor of seeing him fly in person on numerous occasions, and of shaking his hand once. We won't see the likes of him again. So in honor of an incredible person, here's a selection of his performances.
In 1944, on his 59th combat mission, Mr. Hoover was shot down off of southern France and taken prisoner. He was a POW for 16 months. He escaped, stole a German Fw-190 fighter plane, and flew it to Allied territory in Holland.
Mr. Hoover went on to fly just about everything with a fixed wing, usually far outside its normal performance envelope. He is most famous for doing his aerobatic routine in a Rockwell Shrike, a propeller driven twin-engine business / small commuter aircraft that seats about 6. He would often do parts of his routine, including about the last 2 minutes, with both engines off and the props feathered, using a constant trade-off of altitude versus airspeed to conserve momentum.
The man knew more about the nuances and precision of flying than almost anyone else on earth. I had the honor of seeing him fly in person on numerous occasions, and of shaking his hand once. We won't see the likes of him again. So in honor of an incredible person, here's a selection of his performances.
