Aerotech News and Review 11-4-16

World mourns aviation legend, pioneer
The aviation world is mourning the death of Robert A. “Bob” Hoover, who inspired millions of aviation enthusiasts with his spectacular ac- robatic flying in more air shows than anyone in history.
Dubbed the “greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived” by Jimmy Doolittle, and be- loved for his straw hat and gentlemanly de- meanor, Hoover was 94 when he passed away Oct. 25.
A World War II hero, Hoover served as an Army Air Corps pilot when, on his 59th mission, he was shot down over Germany and taken pris- oner. Following 16 months in a German POW camp, he escaped, stole a German Focke-Wulf 190, and flew it to freedom in the Netherlands.
After his military career, Hoover served as a corporate test pilot for Allison Engine and then for North American Aviation, where he first became involved as an air show performer. Over nearly four decades, Hoover became a legend as he used his remarkable piloting skills to entertain and inspire millions of fans. Air & Space magazine named him the third-greatest aviator of all time.
Hoover received numerous accolades for his flying career, including in 2014 the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to a living American for “significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.” In addition, Hoover was in- ducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1988 and became the inaugural member of the Air Show Hall of Fame in 1995. A bronze life- size statue of Hoover was installed earlier this year at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., and a trophy to be awarded annually to the liv- ing aviator who exhibits Hoover’s airmanship, leadership and passion for aviation was inau- gurated.
Hoover is a member of the National Avia- tion Hall of Fame and the ICAS Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame. He is a past recipient of
See LEGEND, Page 3
High Desert Hangar Stories with Bob Alvis
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The end of an era
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Bob Hoover was like no other pilot that ever lived.
In the coming months and years, much will be said and published about the amazing feats and accomplishments of the man called, “The greatest stick and rudder man to ever fly a plane.”
I’m not the guy to share that perspective of history with all of you. I will leave that up to those that flew in that world with Bob, because they are the true measure and the best source to put his amazing tal- ent and life in proper perspective. That being said, I will give you a young boy’s take on what Bob Hoover’s life meant to thousands of Baby Boomers like me that held him in such high esteem.
Many of us back in the era of Saturday morning cartoons, adven-
November 4, 2016 • Volume 30, Issue 17
ture shows and comic books always looked up to those that were larger than life and could inspire with deeds, skills and bravery.
From the first time I saw Bob perform as a young boy holding my Dad’s hand at Lancaster’s Fox Field, I knew he was the “real deal” and I wanted to know more about this man that flew an airplane like an artist. Studying books and magazines, my generation realized he was a real honest-to-God hero that lived his life the way we all wanted to live ours when we grew up. The icing on the cake was the first time you actually met Bob, he was everything you would hope for. He was polite, professional, outgoing and a real gentle- man who made you feel important. He was a master of airplanes that held our imaginations growing up: the P-51 Mustang, the F-86 Saber and the North American Aero Commander, not to mention all
See HOOVER, Page 3
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