The world of aviation lost a legend this week. R.A. “Bob” Hoover, passed on, and now teaching angels how to fly smoother.
I remember seeing him fly multiple years at Reno in the ’90s. Ole Yeller, the Shrike Commander, and the Sabreliner all made appearances. What really stands out in my mind was how easy he made everything look. Ticking a big, high-wing twin through a sixteen point hesitation roll with one or both engines out. Pouring himself a glass of iced tea in the cockpit, while continuously executing a flawless barrel roll.
(Start at 2:19 for the iced tea)
There are a hundred stories about the things he accomplished in life, told better, elsewhere this would be a good start.
Bob inspired a whole generation of pilots. And someday, when my kids ask what the paint scheme on their pedal plane came from, I look forward to explaining it.
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| Preparing for another sortie to patrol the neighborhood. |