Bob Hoover's Final 4-Point Roll in the Sabreliner

[@redr1150r]

I refueled his plane at an airshow at NAS Norfolk, Virginia in the late 80's I think. I talked to him for a few minutes and told him what a great influence men like him were on my aviation career in the Navy. I'm 71 and I still work in aviation for the USCG. I'll be leaving Dec.31 of this year with 52 years in aviation.

[@DiabloOutdoors]

Wow! very impressive :)

[@uingaeoc3905]

Thank you for your Service.

[@winstonsmith313]

Sounds like a fulfilling career. Congratulations! (And thanks for your service)

[@FOFBASS1]

That’s amazing. My feet have never left the ground unfortunately. I’d love to have flown.

[@bernardc2553]

Handshakes & thank you I tried Broken back 4F ed did get my rating outta pocket flew SAR 's for 15yrs CAP wow would love to sit down with you over..any beverage ,For the love of flight..

[@willj1598]

Not only nailing the maneuvers by hand but doing it in style with a coat and tie. 10 out of 10 for class.

[@rvnmedic1968]

Stealing a German fighter, escaping the POW camp and going on to an incredible aviation career. RIP, Mr Hoover

[@karlklein2966]

Seems like that story got borrowed for Top Gun Maverick. As well as flying through a canyon to destroy the death star.

[@herbert5491]

Yes, he did that, stole thst FW190 and flew it until he saw the wind mills...AND TO FREEDOM from the KRAUT murderers

[@prestonburton8504]

Wow!

[@herbert5491]

@@prestonburton8504 Yes Preston, he was the World's WOW Pilot

[@AviationNut]

That's crazy, he did this maneuver in 2013, he was 91 years old. Unfortunately he died on Oct 25th, 2016 RIP Bob Hoover.

[@philgray1023]

Well that isn't going to stop him flying! The man flew like an angel when he was breathing.

[@2dlamb]

It's not really unfortunate to die at the age of 94, it's inevitable. Do you expect him to live forever? I've never understood this sentiment. People are surprised, (or more likely feign their surprise) when their grandparents die. Though anyone with some tact would have been mourning them for years, before their death.

[@starga-fr7qx]

@@2dlamb its unfortunate for everybody who now misses him. The man was an international treasure. You can expect and see it coming , but that changes nothing to the fact that some people will still be missed dearly ,and Bob Hoover is missed by all who know him personally or just from a distance.

[@morrisschwarts4826]

I remember when my dad was in the nursing home. A nurse asked him his age, he replied "86". She said "oh isn't that wonderful? You've lived a long life. He replied "Yeah? Well I'll ask you that when your 86". Nobody wants to die. Not really. They want to live a long healthy life and hope it never ends.

[@ccllvn]

@Hilldweller I thought you meant bald for a second

[@wisecracker1814]

Sunny skies & wind at your back, Sir.

[@796andy2]

Dad checked Bob out in sabre liners t39 , said after you fly with him you feel like throwing your wings in the trash. ..

[@winstonchurchill3597]

Yeah I can see that. lol

[@rickeymitchell8620]

Bob Hoover was a living legend and still a legend in my heart. He is also an American hero and icon. Mr Hoover may you always have clear skies and a tailwind!

[@dangraham9741]

it helps to take - off into a head - wind tho .. . . .. .

[@duartesimoes508]

...except on landing!

[@kushagramittal4275]

@@dangraham9741 but if you are a smart pilot you know you can go to the opposite end of the runway to turn a tailwind into headwind

[@dangraham9741]

@@kushagramittal4275 something very weird is going on with identification issues in cyber space somewhere .

[@herbert5491]

@@dangraham9741 "Have clear skies and a tailwind" was just an expression of yesteryear Pilots..long gone

[@Don-kr5tp]

I had the pleasure to meet Bob on the tarmac at Sun n fun. He was sitting in an open car waiting for his que to drive in front of the crowd. We spoke for several minutes and he was genuine, down to earth and funny. I told him of the first time I saw him flying the Aero Commander at an airshow at Tamiami airport when I was in high school. He laughed and told a few stories. God bless him and people like him that made our country great. We need more like him today.

[@portnuefflyer]

Chatted with him once for several minutes at a EAA fly in at Arlington WA several years ago, without knowing WHO I was talking to, just some friendly old guy I thought! I will never forget it. After I realized, I was stunned, by his total lack of any "do you know who I am" attitude. I of course knew of Bob Hoover, just failed to put the face to the legend. Kinda ironic that he and Yeager lived into their '90's, before giving a final one fingered salute to old man Death.

[@ictpilot]

Hope he gave the other one finger salute to the FAA who tried to screw him!

[@stephenwalker5712]

Amazing. I experienced the same thing at a Reno air show. Just a real person. Incredible.

[@gordoh7634]

That's a sign of greatness there. I always say it's okay to be the smartest person in the room just don't act like you're the smartest person in the room. He was the best pilot I ever saw.

[@johnbowering4996]

Mr Hoover came to Australia in the late 90s, just after the FAA pulled his ticket. He was here to act as starter for air races in Tasmania, and required an Australian licence, so took our senior examiner for ride. After a short flight in a twin which included Bob's signature aerobatic display and the engine off roll up to the crowd. The examiner just sat there, shook Bob's hand and handed him his Aussie licence. I was walking through the crowd when l saw this tall bloke walking towards me. I asked if he would autograph my cap and after doing so, he asked "What do you fly?" We spoke for about 10 minutes and the whole time he was genuinely interested in me and my piloting history. What an absolute gentleman. I took the cap to Oshkosh in 2006 and lined up with hundreds of others and he autographed it again. It proudly hangs on my office wall in pride of place. I rate meeting Mr Hoover as the alltime highlight of my flying career.

[@c310sim6]

Yep, I remember. I also saw him perform his “salute to the space shuttle program” in a borrowed aero commander at Avalon. It was the best performance I’ve ever seen.

[@PilotPhotog]

This man was an absolute legend. I had the honor of meeting him at Sun n Fun 2000 and he signed my logbook and took a photo with me. An inspiration and a hero.

[@chipaultman3563]

PilotPhotog had a coupla drinks with him and Gene Overton out of his trunk.

[@chipaultman3563]

He was a heckofaguy

[@chipaultman3563]

Yeager thought so too

[@garryhill8700]

I was there and met him too, I was the Manager for the C23B Sherpas and we were based there. He came office looking for a lil mixer for his "glass" got to spend a good bit talking with him. Met some great people pilots/friends, Fred Cabanas, Felix Bumbgarter, Frank Robinson!! Sam Clark!!!

[@PilotPhotog]

@@garryhill8700 that's an all-star team if I ever heard of one! Must have been an amazing experience.

[@Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

In 1965 I attended an airshow at Tulsa's Riverside Airport and watched Bob do 16-point rolls in a P-51. As far as I could tell, the rotation of the airplane was controlled by some advanced mechanism that performed perfectly, neither undershooting nor overshooting crisp and exact 22.5 degree increments of roll. That advanced mechanism, of course, was Bob. He was born to fly.

[@andreferro4618]

That thing you said was just PERFECT! Deep respect for Mr. Hoover. Greetings from Brazil.

[@njblanco10]

Well said, Sir!

[@jffrocks]

Bob Hoover was one of the greatest pilots to ever fly, and always a Southern Gentleman. He will be missed.

[@ericc.sabadin4513]

I washed his Evergreen Commander a few times in the late 1980's out at Palo Alto Airport...He was a nice man!

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

I miss bob hoover! He’s my inspiration and I want to be exactly like him

[@TomCook1993]

He lived most of his life in California. What about him is southern?

[@rickeylynch9835]

@@TomCook1993 Nashville, TN,.born & raised!

[@geraldmurphy7669]

Best pilot who has ever lived.

[@davedisinger1245]

Grew up in the aviation community. Curtiss/Wright...North American and Piper Aircraft. Mr Hoover was an idol to all.

[@hugnaba]

Could do without the music. The sound of Bob's voice and his aircraft would be more of a treat. My Father retired from the FAA early 80's. He said Bob Hoover was the best pilot that ever lived. He and my Dad met once at an air show. Pop's said he was ashamed of the FAA for the way they treated him. Never seen or heard of anyone so attuned to and "one" with his aircraft.

[@2002honda954]

Yes Yes Yes!

[@ReflectedMiles]

Jealousy and power plays are all that ten-cent bureaucratic desk jockeys have to offer sometimes.

[@dalydegagne1839]

Music detracts - too loud and invasive.

[@CanadairCL44]

Just look at how smooth and gentle he is with those control inputs. Truly a man at one with his machine.

[@acerlazereye1232]

@@ReflectedMiles The 2-centers too!

[@planpitz4190]

I had a lot of respect for the FAA, best Aviation Administration in the world, till they tried to pull Bob Hoovers pilot license about 30 years ago!!!! because of old age!!!I wish he would have invited the responsible pencil pusher to a cup of Tee in his Shrike Commander placing him on a seat without a belt.

[@hziemba]

I first saw him at the Reading (PA) Airshow in the 1970s...blown away when I saw him fly ...he handled the airplane like it was an extension of him! What the FAA did to him was an outrage!! I think Hoover was a better pilot on his worst day, than most pilots on their best days. It seems that once the aeromedical people at FAA get involved, you’re a marked person. Read up on his story (he wrote at least one book, which I read cover to cover). Not only did he serve in WWII, but he also had a very distinguished career in the aviation world after they war. He has demonstrated a sixth sense when it comes to airplanes, recovering from incidents that would have been fatal crashes, with a lesser pilot. There are lots of videos on KZbin of him, and about him...I believe someone created a playlist. Recently, I became aware of a local pilot with about 6000 hrs of flying spread over almost 50 years, who has been beaten up over the past 3 years or so. He did have some heart problems, which have been dealt with. He’s been through a LOT of tests, costing him $$$$. Two specialists have told him that he does NOT have the condition the FAA has given as a reason for denial of his medical. They won’t even give him a third class! I don’t want dangerous pilots out there, but there’s a lot more to safe flying than physical health...we all have -some- kind of health issue, if we look deep enough. Judgement and flying skills have a lot to do with being a good pilot. Granted, there are probably factors that I’m not aware of, but there’s good reason to suspect the FAA’s objectivity.

[@TheJustinJ]

Desperately ambitious people with a complete lack of natural abilities gravitate towards government work. The FAA has been clinging to their Aeromedical standards since 1914 when the only people flying were the ones who invented the airplane, or built one themselves. And none of them ever once crashed or killed anyone due to an in flight medical issue before the medical requirements were enforced on those original few. The regulations are easily enforced against the smallest minorities, those individuals, with the support of the ignorant collective all bemoaning and denouncing anyone who objects to their selfless-righteous onslaught.

[@dirkhamilton2709]

Bob Hoover was so good that even if he did have Alzheimer’s he’d get you to the airport safely. It might not be the right airport, but the “safely” part is more important.

[@herbert5491]

Yes, awful FAA people, mediocre, incapable, and corrupt

[@herbert5491]

The best in the World. Shame, shame on th corrupt, cheap, mediocre burocrats at the FAA

[@bcask61]

90 years old and still a total badass. They don’t make them like this anymore.

They won't allow you to become like him, to many rules and regs today

[@ChevyBM]

Like a boss! All suited up and doing barrel rolls in a vintage private jet!

[@tomsamuelson8512]

USAF T-39....

[@davidbsac]

@@tomsamuelson8512 AKA North American Sabreliner. That one is currently based in Northern California.

[@douglasemerson9017]

@@davidbsac Do you know what the tail number is?

[@socaljarhead7670]

I saw that exact aircraft rocket out of John Wayne about 4 or 5 years ago. Very shiny, and very loud!

[@thomasdalton2042]

He would have been around 91 when he flew that plane. Amazing man and a huge part of Aviation in this country.

[@2sheetstothewind484]

Master stick and rudder man. I saw him at OSH flying the Shrike with 2 still props as he passed by. Bob Hoover had energy management mastered. R.I.P.

[@davidkillens8143]

I saw him fly the Shrike and Mustang in '72. I swear he got so low in the Mustang he was cutting grass. Best stick and rudder man of all time.

[@zonkerowu]

And I recall my late father-in-law telling me about seeing Bob Hoover at the smallish airport in Marysville OH. Bob was doing his trick of skimming along the runway and 'dancing' from one landing gear to the other (I've seen him do it many times). A gust of wind made him come down hard on one wheel, hard enough that the landing gear stove into the wing and punctured the wing tank! He quickly landed, as a fire broke out in the exposed fuel. A fire truck was there, but stationed at the opposite end of the field, and of course took some time for the big diesel to lumber to life and roar down the runway (Bill might have been a fireman, the Marysville FD was at one time all-volunteer). The crowd got a chuckle watching Bob Hoover gesticulating wildly for the truck to hurry lest one of his precious Mustangs be lost!

[@hoagybob]

my hero and not just because we both have the same first names but because HE IS THE BEST PILOT WHO EVER LIVED!

[@gotstars]

+robert hoagland Best pilot who ever lived or is still alive. Did he die

[@mikeham73]

+Daniel Johnson He hasn't died. He is 93 years old.

[@rccrashburn]

Bob was born January 24, 1922 (age 94)

[@gotstars]

rccrashburn it been another year I hope he keeps on going

[@AviationNut]

rccrashburn He just died on Oct 25th,2016.

[@krezvan]

I saw him perform at an airshow when I was 11. I remember it as if it was yesterday, Bob Hoover is a national treasure and an icon.

[@eyeson6113]

Duane Cole picked out my Decathlon for me and taught me aerobatics. I spent an evening at the Acey Ducey in Oshkosh with Duane and Bob once and soaked up their stories. They thought I was kind of cool because I got my first UL in 78 (a Weedhopper) and survived over 3000 hours in several different ultralights. I knew they were cool because they were f ing legends. People thought Bob was a little arrogant but given his resume, he was as humble as he could be. They just had no use for regulators.

[@nocotton]

And a lot of people don't know who the Cole brothers were. I saw their airshow performance around 1981. Awesome. Sad that not much info on them is available on the internet. No clue why.

[@eyeson6113]

@@nocotton You can still find their books from time to time on Ebay. I did 10 days with a morning and afternoon session in Aerobatic instruction with Duane. They had me for dinner a couple times. Super nice people.

[@gregbuck701]

In my eyes anyone who though Bob Hoover was arrogant was/is a sht pilot/person. If you're an awesome/excellent pilot as he was, it's not arrogance..... Its teaching! I still use some of his teachings today.....the best one was, "YOU FLY THE PLANE as far into the crash as possible!" First 4 words are Biblical!

[@rickeylynch9835]

Knew Bob for years Not an arrogant bone in his body!

[@TakeDeadAim]

Spent many nights at the Acey Ducey!

[@drumdude46]

...and to have this moment immortalized on film. wow.... probably the greatest pilot who ever lived. ( or certainly...'one' of the very-few) this is fabulous.

[@jagitmax]

actually its on video not film

[@acerlazereye1232]

@@jagitmax Actually, it takes a really analized asshole to nitpick like that in this time & place.

[@bennbanes6359]

Seeing the sunlight hit his face once completing the roll was MAGICAL. how many times did the pure sun rays grace his face when flying high. Don't know his story, don't know him, but am happy he had this experience to add to the galactic memery box. Our gifts to the universe is our creativity and gratitude. Practice both, live well ❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@bradcrosier1332]

He was one of the greatest pilots of all time. A WWII ace who was shot down and escaped from a Nazi prison camp, then stole a Luftwaffe fighter and flew back to allied territory. A test pilot after WWII, he would have been the first man to break the sound barrier if Chuck Yeagers over-inflated ego hadn’t caused him to lie about his (Yeager’s) medical fitness for the flight that day. He flew amazing demonstrations at air shows around the world for decades in a P-51 Mustang, a Shrike Commander, and the Sabreliner business jet. And, by all accounts of everyone I’ve ever talked to that met him, one of the nicest, most humble men you could ask to meet (unlike Yeager, who I can’t recall ever hearing anything good about).

[@JamesHoffa1]

@@bradcrosier1332 What a weird thing to be a dick about. "My favorite pilot is better than yours!!"

[@stevefennell2919]

A pilot's pilot and true American badass.

[@sagittarius_]

My friend is 75 yo. He thinks he is too old for things like this and many other things. And then this video comes up. I will show it to him. The most INSPIRING I have seen for many years. Thank you and RIP Bob Hoover, this amazing man.

[@myopinion9414]

R.I.P, Bob Hoover a true legend of aviation.

[@shemphoward6274]

Great to See Bob back in the seat, and at 91 still the best pilot in the world. I would love to see more of this.

[@perrybronner3215]

In the dictionary under Stick and Rudder, it says " See him ".

[@ChosenWon]

Beautiful. Thank you. What a great video. A gentleman and a legend doing a four point roll without a word spoken. Top notch!

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

I want to see a meme made with people sitting in an airplane screaming mixed in with this footage.

[@colinpovey2904]

Most don't know this, but during WWII, he was shot down by the Germans and captured. He escaped from the POW camp, stole a FW-190, and flew it to an allied base in France (after Normandy, obviously).

[@lmgpharm]

Thanks for the info, Colin. Would be a great movie...any books available about this escape?

[@rccrashburn]

Bob flew the Butcher Bird to the Netherlands.

[@r08800]

lmgpharm get Bobs book 'Forever Flying' you won't regret it, I promise.

[@regressmenot]

Colin Povey No shit? I never heard that before, that's amazing.

[@whyyou3578]

LOL! You must have watched youtube which has it plastered all over the place. Or you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

Bob Hoover was a Jedi Skywalker of our time! Thanks to the all people who posted videos of this remarkable man and pilot.

[@greystripe3737]

bob hoover was a badass. rest in peace to one of the greatest pilots to fly the skies.

[@leokimvideo]

Greatest test pilot ever

[@NeilPatton1962]

Corrected it for you - Greatest pilot ever

[@Hossman757]

I would put Chuck in that spot with Bob a VERY close second.

[@DustyBalz]

The greatest pilot ever ! Had the honor of meeting him on a few occasions, an absolute gentleman .

[@chuckeberth4370]

He is nothing short of a legend.

[@KO-pk7df]

Greatest Pilot Ever !! Decades of proof from everyone who ever witnessed his flying.

[@jimfuhrman8665]

The sheer joy on his face when he rolls level!

[@MDpolo]

We had a Sabreliner when I was a kid. They were awesome! Thank you for the video.

[@Ecthaelyon]

To prove the point that there can be "old, bold pilots!" RiP Mr Hoover, the last of the few greats.

[@Bonesvision]

The best pilot of our time

[@gottadomor7438]

I'm going w/ "... all ..." but we can agree to disagree ... Willing to listen to a nominee other than tho ...

[@24HALL]

92 and rolling like a champ still

[@robertgolden1080]

May your sky’s always be CAVU. You lived a full life and truly are a legend.

[@dr_jaymz]

Greatest pilot ever to make it to the end. If I knew it was his last roll, I'd be ever so slightly more nervous than normal to go along!

[@stevepuddlejumperpilot6062]

He was a better pilot at 91 than I'll ever be. But, I'm still trying to reach his greatness. What an amazing man he was.

[@aehsrose]

Probably still a better pilot than you now Steve!! No offence

[@easttexan2933]

Yes yes yes. Forever, thank you Bob. The greatest stick and rudder pilot that ever flew !! Remember the first and only time I ever saw him in person......1969 in League City, Texas in the Yellow P51. I was 23 and had never seen aerobatics before. Corky Fornoff was there that day also in his F8 Bearcat. I have seen many many airshows since then and to this day, there has never been aerobatics done better than those two that day. RIP Bob and Corky. Well done sirs.

[@catlady8324]

It’s a shame the editing does not show the horizon on any of the four points of the four point roll.

[@stephenhair5501]

What a Legend of an Aviator!! God Bless you Bob Hoover.

[@dharmeshtarapore]

You will be missed, Mr Hoover.

[@Sansoloz]

Amazing Man & Career. Hard to imagine he had to overcome air sickness in the early days.

[@JM-sl9ql]

I was on the dry lake bed that day watching with one of the production crew. This shoot was for the documentary film, as the description says. It was an honor to meet Bob Hoover and to be a part of the project and a guest at Paramount for the dinner and showing of the production.

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

Possibly the greatest pilot who ever lived. His stunts with his Aero Commander defy the imaginations. "Energy Management" was his expertise...

[@Het1fan]

Saw him in the late 90s in an air show at Daytona Beach international airport. He did a dead stick loop as well . And heck I thought he was in his '90s back then..great talent.🇺🇸

[@allanpolk2681]

Bob Hoover was an absolute legend. His ability to make non aerobatic craft do aerobatics was amazing. I’ve watched him perform with my jaw slack and my eyes bugging. What he used to do with a twin Aero commander was astounding, and he was always a fan favorite and gracious to sign every autograph. He is sorely missed.

[@triskellian]

He!He! What an aviator! You can't beat the expert aerobatics done by this man; and in a business jet no less. ✈🙂

[@justicelut]

Not to mention a suit and tie!

[@airgliderz]

One of my favorite videos if Bob Hoover us him flying the aerocommander with a champaign glass taped down. Bob performs a roll while pouring Champaign in the glass as the horizon rolls around 360 degrees, he does not spill a drop...

[@countryjoe3551]

Or iced tea.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWOQanWCbNifos0

[@roberthelton9432]

I think you will find that it's iced tea, and the glass was not taped down! And he poured it back handed. Google Bob Hoover tea pour!

[@ragnarlothbrok9133]

I got to meet him once at an air show at Dulles Intl back in 1972 I think it was. A real gentleman.

[@NicholasSpartan]

Mr. Hoover was one gifted pilot. A true inspiration ! Rest In Peace and God Speed!

[@richardschindler8822]

Enjoyed the video, but always loved Bob's performances. A true legend in my time.

[@Progneto]

I'm so thankful I got to see him fly!

[@texn8]

Bob was not only a grand pilot, he was a genuinely nice man who was a great storyteller and forever had a twinkle in his eyes. When he spoke to you, you felt as if he were your best friend. He was that charming. Everybody loved Bob. He would do a demo flight and then tell you, "don't try that yourself, it'll kill you." He'd say that not to be bragging but he genuinely meant you would probably die trying it. He'd explain that he was a demo pilot for Rockwell Noth American and was paid to do it and he'd practiced it for years.

[@trob0914]

Honored to have met him, a True gentleman and Awesome pilot!RIP, Bob!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Roggi_Filho]

Mr. Bob Hoover has inspired thousands of airmen around the world, including me

[@Myshtuff]

What a legend! Thank You for all the shows Bob!

[@trout211]

I have fantastic memories of my dad & I going to many Confederate Air force shows in Harlingen, Texas during the 70s. I still have photos of Mr. Hoover flying his bright yellow Rockwell International P-51 & his Shrike Commander, along with many legends. Art Scholl (Super Chipmunk), Jimmy Doolittle (B-25) with some of his Tokyo Raiders, along with Pappy Boyington (Corsair) personalizing his Baa Baa Blacksheep book for me; it's still in my bookcase. Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets (B-29 Enola Gay) flew FiFi over the field leaving a pyrotechnic mushroom cloud that ruffled the media at the time; I have photos of that, too. The Pearl Harbor 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' reenactment was beyond words; so many explosions & planes in the air at once, you didn't know where to look. Too many aircraft models to mention, some of which are no longer with us. An extremely entertaining, educational, & emotional place in history that's gone forever.

[@alanhelton]

Couldn’t have been in better hands. Just watching him do his magic is mesmerizing. Eyes scanning, smile spread across the face and making it look so easy!

[@10thmt87]

Jim Lovell may have been able to land a flying Washing Machine. Bob Hoover could actually fly it into a spin cycle and have all the laundry dried, sorted and folded before landing.

[@markbass7145]

RIP Bob Hoover and Frys

[@71Habu]

Bob Hoover was one of the Greatest Generation and probably one of the most experienced “stick” men that ever lived. A contemporary of Chuck Yeager (he was flying the chase plane the day Chuck broke Mach 1), he flew missions over Germany as an Eighth AF escort fighter pilot in a P-51 as well as the P-38 and I think he flew the P-47. He was shot down, captured, escaped and stole a FW-190! After the war, he flew as a test pilot at Edwards AFB where he flew many brand new aircraft. He new how to push a new airframe to its limits and bring it back home. After retiring from the AF, Bob went to work for North American Aviation. They helped maintain the P-51 he flew at airshows. I attended several years of the Reno Air Races and Bob not only flew acrobatic routines in his Shrike, a production line version with no special modifications, he was in the air in his P-51 for every single unlimited air race. He was there to help any pilot that got into trouble during a race. If he wasn’t needed, he would be off over the desert just enjoying flying the P-51! He was always right there to talk a pilot down who had an emergency to get the pilot back on the ground safely. I don’t remember which year it was but one of the highly modified P-51’s blew an engine. Bob talked him down dead stick. Saw the plane after they towed it back in and the whole front end was covered in oil!

[@larryolson9546]

R.A. Hoover is a sky "GOD". I grew up watching his talent's. Filling my backyard sky's with his grace, followed by a white knuckled performance, fallowed by a " this is how you do it, kid's" all the afore mentioned taking place between his most important performance of the day. That being the race pilot's guardian angel. I've watched him bring 'em back down safely on many occasions. Mayday! And that pilot's got smoke and oil fouling up his 12 o'clock leaving his only visual just a tiny spot somewhere where he could at least see a bit off something. Bob would calmly assess the situation. Have him find his best view and pull 'ol Yeller into position and in tandem talk him down. Wounded bird flying paint, He'd pull 'OL Yeller up on their wing and not only talk 'em down but walk 'em back safely on the ground. throughout everyday of the Reno Championship air races. Thank "GOD" for growing up in the back of Lemmon Valley. 1976 - 1996. 1997 was just missing something. Something the world will never be witness to again. Thank You R.A. Hoover "GOD" I mean "BOB" Larry Olson

[@josephking6515]

What is the difference between Bob Hoover and god? Bob Hoover actually existed.

[@craigmilliman2763]

TBS had a documentary series called "Reaching for the Skies," which featured Bob flying some military brass around with a pitcher of iced tea sitting on the dash. One of his passengers asks "Can the airplane be rolled, Bob?" Bob rolls the airplane to the left. The horizon rotates smoothly, but the pitcher stays where it is, and the tea doesn't even slosh. He then picks up the pitcher and puts a glass in its place and rolls the airplane again while pouring it the glass full of tea backhanded. Didn't spill a drop.

[@duartesimoes508]

"Reaching for the skies" came up on Portuguese TV in 1989, I recorded every episode in VHS. I remember that extraordinary scene very well! It must be hard enough to do a perfect roll with a Shrike Commander, let alone serving tea while doing it! Absolutely outstanding.

[@oldshipmatesadventures]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWOQanWCbNifos0

[@herbert5491]

Amazing, he was just amazing, nature flying in a suited gentleman. Trust me, there will never, ever be another one like him...never, ever

[@camsmeltzer9388]

As a kid watched Bob Hoover at the Rialto air show in Southern California in the early 80’s maneuver the Shrike around like magic! What a treat!

[@johngarneau4073]

Was and is and always will be my flying hero. Fantastic talent. Met him at Reading Air show, 1975 I believe.

[@rogeliolopez2190]

Bob wasn't just a pilot he is the pilot of pilots

[@bgreggory]

Bob Hoover was such an amazing pilot-and person, so inspiring. I learned about him mostly through videos like Flying the Feathered Edge. I wish I could have met him in person. Watching his aerobatic performances (on video) really lit me up. I have finally begun taking flying lessons.

[@robbob5318]

I met him in the early 70s at a local airport airshow

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

@@robbob5318 As did I. He was really making the rounds in the 70s, put on a show of skill and precision that one never forgets.

[@flyer737sw]

RIP Mr. Hoover! I had the pleasure of meeting him back in the day at the FBO in KSJC. They were taking up this exact sabreliner N607CF.

[@oldboater]

He was a great man and aviator. I got to see him perform many time at Dayton Airshow.

[@scotabot7826]

You're still a legend in my heart Bob! I think of you often. Continued blue skys Sir!

[@LordMekanicus]

All I can say is: "Fly it like you mean it!" Nice work Hoovie!

[@leerogers8881]

Bob in the Shrike Commander was the single best airshow display I've ever done. It was a good display in a tight box, and he did half of it with the engines off. I will never forget that.

[@BAZZAROU812]

Thanks for posting.. Alot of folk will never know about a great man.. And that's fine.. That's 90% of the population.. Much love.. Rip..

[@stephenhawk8384]

My father and I had the thrill and honor of seeing him several times at the. Point Magu airshows back in the 60s and 70s.

[@mikeyriley8959]

Bob is just the best pilot ever.

[@Kelly-tt1sx]

Nothing but love and respect,he is a legend.

[@MrAmericanworkmule]

Beautiful.

[@xa9131]

I don’t know who he is but just to see him flying I can tell that’s love and passion!!!!! God speed!!!!

[@johnkay6197]

Got to have lunch with him I. The vip tent at the Cleveland airshow around 1999. Awesome memory of an absolute legend.

[@paulmccarthy2032]

That smile on Mr Hoover's face is priceless..Blue Skies forever in heaven sir!

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

I saw him do stunts in Mc Guite Air Force Base in New Jersey at several air shows there. A class act all the way. RIP Bob.

[@markthiess1893]

1999 Avalon air show, I flew in the F111C static display aircraft. Watched Bobs display, totally in awe. He was king of the show…. He took a pee next to me in a show urinal… signed a copy of his book for me… legend!

[@mandst5466]

Thank you for your service Mr Hoover sir.

[@craighermle7727]

I saw him fly once many years ago in Concord, NH. I still remember his performance .

[@herbboucher816]

BOB HOOVER WAS ONE AMAZING AVIATOR.

[@jayyoung5423]

Once a pilot, forever a pilot... like riding a bike, thanks for this.

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

Is this the same man that did a barrel roll and in the same time puring a coffee in a glass like 30 years or more to show how G forces works?

[@herkloader34]

Yep!

[@mattf49006]

Iced tea..but yep..same guy..sometimes he did it with a cpl reporters with him

[@countryjoe3551]

Yep... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWOQanWCbNifos0

[@pfsantos007]

I've just ended up here not knowing anything about Bob, and after a quick search on wiki already know the man is a legend, not even considering everything else. Learned to fly by paying for it working at a grocery store. Also from wiki, after his escape from a POW camp and getting a meal from a German lady: "As they were leaving Hoover wrote a note for her to give to the American army in the coming weeks stating that she had assisted the three of them, and to treat her kindly."

[@PocketRocket99]

Once in a lifetime someone like Bob Hoover arrives and simply owns an arena of expertise throughout his life. Aviation was the arena and Bob Hoover was it's master.