Robert a bob hoover, 93, known worldwide as one of the greatest flyers in all time should be enjoying a quiet semiretirement after a life. For me the main interest of this book is that bob hoover did so much of his military test flying in the immediate postwar period. Barnstormer, second world war fighter pilot, pioneering test pilot, a. Forever flying book by bob hoover official publisher page. I spent time with bob off and on over the years and a couple of things really stood out that set him apart. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who escaped a pow camp and flew to freedom by stealing a german airplane and who spent decades testing aircraft, thrilling spectators at air shows and training military aviators, died oct.
Forever flying by bob hoover barnstormer, world war ii fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic geniusbob hoover is a true american hero. He was a great man and a model for what our community can and should be. Legendary military, air show and test pilot robert bob hoover, who survived more than his share of close calls, died tuesday at age 94 near his home in southern california. Famed aviator bob hoover, who escaped nazis by stealing. Bob hoover was a gentleman in addition to being a great pilot. Video from the past 33 bob hoover american test pilot. Bob hoover, pilot who escaped pow camp by stealing a. Bob hoover, aviator whose aerobatic stunts are legend. Hoovers remarkable career spanned the golden age of aviation that included wwii, breaking the sound barrier and the proliferation of military and civil jet aviation. Test, combat, and air show pilot for the united states air force.
Jordan, md, jd possibly in the entire history of the conduct of the airman medical certification program no one decision has created more controversy than that. Bob hoover, one of historys greatest pilots, dead at 94. In the cockpit with bob hoover is the second volume in passion for flight, a series of short biographies regarding notable pilots who inspire young and old alike to take to the skies. In the cockpit with bob hoover by di freeze nook book. The fights not over december 16, 2015 warbirdsnews articles 4 for all the battles one wwii hero and legendary aviator fought, it was the battle that he was forced to take on with the federal aviation administration, that still bothers him some 20 years after the fact. Bob was an aviation legend, a rolemodel to generations of pilots, a friend to this museum, and a gentleman to all who knew him. A lot of greatest pilots who ever lived will tell you that hoover was the greatest pilot who ever lived. Aviation history pilot qualifications pilots bill of rights robert bob hoover. It was march 1972, and pitts and i were watching the airplane he created perform at miamis tamiami airport. Barnstormer, world war ii fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatics genius bob hoover tells his amazing story, sharing the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts, and deathdefying exploits that have made him a living aviation legend. Now, in forever flying, he tells his amazing story, sharing all the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts and deathdefying exploits that have made him a living aviation legend.
After spending 15 months as a pow in wwii, hoover served as yeagers backup pilot on the x1 project. Hoover wrote, hell, i would fly an old dodge truck if. In the cockpit with bob hoover is the second volume in a series of short biographies regarding notable pilots. Creating transformative life experiences in education and aviation for disadvantaged teens. Now, in forever flying, he tells his amazing story, sharing all the thrills and chills, spectacular stunts and deathdefying exploits that have made him a. Barnstormer, world war ii fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic. Video from the past 33 bob hoover american test pilot disclaimer. He used to dogfight against airacomets flown by chuck yeager, he tested the sabre and its naval sister the fj2 fury, flew bearcats and cougars and the amazing f100 super sabre. Bob hoover meant to us and how much he loved us in return. Were featuring millions of their reader ratings on our book. Bob was a true gentleman who enjoyed his celebrity but never hid behind it. Bob and colleen hoover enjoy the 2003 society of experimental test pilots annual symposium and banquet.
His battle with the faawhich would make a better documentary. Political alarmism, regulatory creep, and the real threat to internet freedom hoover institution press publication. Robert anderson bob hoover january 24, 1922 october 25, 2016 was a united states army air forces fighter pilot in world war ii, usaf and civilian test pilot after the war, flight instructor, aviation recordsetter, and air show pilot for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 1999. This interview was taken from the timeless voices series available on the eaa experimental aircraft association. In his book, he wrote a lot about us, our togetherness. In the bestselling tradition of yeager comes the extraordinary autobiography of one of americas greatest aviators. In more than 50 years of flying, the legendary air show pilot performed. What would you want young people to know about aviation through bob hoovers eyes.
Bob hoover trophy reception at ronald reagan washington national airports historic terminal in washington, d. No less an authority than jimmy doolittle considers hoover the greatest stick and rudder pilot who ever lived, and in this autobiography, hoover provides ample evidence that he has been as skilled. In 1950, he became one of the chief test pilots for north american aviation and, subsequently, for the merged naarockwell. If you are a pilot or a fan of bob hoover, then you should read this book. This biography will help explain his place in history but, most of all, day after day, bob hoover was a true gentleman. Renowned and respected by other pilots, he has flown with a skill that is rare. Bob hoover, the pilots pilot paperback 1978 by dick morley author 2. You can read more about bob hoovers legacy in the new york times obituary by craig. This book is about bob hoover and his lifetime experience as a test pilot. It really gives insight into his skill and his aversion to. Bob hoover, pilot who escaped pow camp by stealing a german.
Fifty years of highflying adventures, from barnstorming in prop planes to dogfighti. Aviation world remembers greatest stickandrudder pilot. Bob hoover, is a pilot who has done it all and then some. Fifty years of highflying adventures, from barnstorming in pro by hoover, bob isbn. An army air corps fighter pilot, hoover was shot down on his 59th mission and was held as.
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. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who escaped a pow camp and flew to freedom by stealing a german airplane and who spent decades testing aircraft, thrilling spectators at air shows and. For those not of the aviation world, it is hard to describe how much robert a. Barnstormer, world war ii fighter, pioneering test pilot, aerobatic geniusbob hoover is a true american hero. Wwii pilot and aerobatics pioneer was one of the most accomplished aviators of all time. One of the greatest pilots in the history of aviation died tuesday morning, according to reports bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot, a former air force test.
We are honored to be able to perpetuate his legacy through the bob hoover trophy. Bob hoover and celebrate those in the aviation industry who are carrying on his legacy during the 2019 aopa r. In the cockpit with bob hoover passion for flight book 2 and millions of other books. Posted in air force, aviation, friends, goodbyes, historical, humor, west virginia comments off on colleen hoover had to have a sense of humor to marry bob. Wwii veteran, prisoner of war, accomplished test pilot, pace plane for the unlimited reno races, air show pilot bob hoover is considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of modern aerobatics. Forever flying by bob hoover, 9780671537616, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. It really gives insight into his skill and his aversion to taking risks. The first time i saw bob hoover fly i was a new show pilot standing next to the great curtis pitts and hoping for words of wisdom. With neil armstrong, jim brasier, ron catton, eugene cernan.
Join facebook to connect with bob hoover and others you may know. Bob hoover is considered the greatest of all by airmen worldwide. In 1989 an air show was held at brown field in san diego the test pilot bob hoover was taking thrill seekers for flights in his shrike commander, a small, piston powered, passenger plane. Neverbeforereleased interview with bob hoover aopa. Bob hoover passed away yesterday, after a lifetime of adventures rivaling any work of fact or fiction. Robert anderson bob hoover january 24, 1922 october 25, 2016 was a fighter pilot in the. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his skills as a test pilot and for his appearances in air shows, has died at age 94, according to multiple. His life is the subject of several books and films. By tom demerly for iconic airman, test pilot, air racer and airshow demonstration pilot bob hoover, died today. From this point, he would move to north american aviation, testing navy aircraft such as the t28, f86 saber jet, and many others. Bob hoover lands a heinkel he 162 at edwards after the war.
Bob hoover is considered by many to be our greatest living aviator and has influenced generations of pilots with his precision flying and gentlemanly demeanor. In this exclusive, neverbeforereleased interview, bob hoover, renowned. The sky was a frenzy of tiny pitts specials panting through snap rolls and outside loops. With the rest of the aviation community, we mourn the passing of the man jimmy doolittle called the greatest stick and rudder man who ever lived. Bob hoover is one of americas heroes and one of the greatest pilots to ever have lived. Bob hoover is a member of greatest generation and there may never be another fighter pilot like him. Remembering the extraordinary man and pilot robert a. In the cockpit with bob hoover passion for flight volume 2. The passengers were known as hoovers heavers more often than not they were sick during the flight on this occasion the heavers got more of a thrill than they paid for. Realizing that his military career was nearing its end, bob hoover made the move to work as a civilian test pilot with allison engine company. Bob hoover, a world war ii fighter pilot who escaped a pow camp and.
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