Met and talked to Bob at Oshkosh not long before he retired. Chuck Yeager was talking and Bob leaned over to me and said "You can't believe 1/2 of what he was saying."
My early days of flight training was at Torrance, CA KTOA. I had just passed my commercial check ride at the age of 19 and there was RA Hoover with Old Yeller. I told him that I had just passed my checkride. He said hop in the back seat and I will give you a ride. Strapped in and away we went. We flew over the Pacific from offshore PV towards Catalina Island. I got to know Bob even better at the Reno Air Races. He never forgot about giving me a ride. I think Bob was from Tennessee . My later friend Bob Lau,also flown West, was RA's ferry pilots. Driscoll took over from Bob Lau. I got to know Bob Lau very well. He showed me letters of recommendation from RA. Bob Lau ended up flying for Pratt and Whitney and after he retired moved to East TN.. Aviation is a very small world. God Bless Bob RA Hoover for what he has done to advance aviation and to promote aviation to the younger generations!!!! His legacy will live on forever.
I will always remember Bob Hoover flying his engines out sequence . He did an engine out landing and rolled up to the viewing stands. I can still hear the wind sound as it passed over the rivets. There will never be another Bob Hoover.
Truly great documentary, spoiled in post production by the music 😢 The music is well chosen and appropriate - but it tramples over the narration and especially the most important sound - that of the softly spoken Bob Hoover. This happens all to often and the #1 reason is that the sound mixing is done whilst wearing headphones. In the age of smart tv's & home theatre systems it's not so easy to hear voices when there's dramatic music that's simply too loud, taking prime place on a two channel recording - no matter how long the end user juggles with the settings. Using headphones fixes that, but when there's a family watching then it's impractical. Good documentary about a great man. It's worthy of a re-mix.
It’s an honor and a pleasure to say that I have seen Bob Hoover fly his planes in several air shows! It was plain to see that he was one of the best! What a great American and hero he was! Mr. Hoover the world will miss you Sir!
I'm lucky to have seen Bob Hoover , Art Scholl ,Patty Wagstaff , Snort , Sean Tucker and all the most talented pilots of our time . But Nobody could be more memorable than Mr. Hoover start out inverted, coming in steep and dead stick quite , with wheels up , whistling by 60 feet over the deck , then pull up, restart the engines and level out. In a civilian twin !!! The GOAT
Many years ago, when I was about 19, I had the pleasure to witness Mr. Hoover do his routine with the Shrike. It was amazing. Great pilot and a great man.
To aviation aficionados, the sound of aircraft engines, airflow, etc., is the music. We really did not need a musical score for this documentary. Great man. Tremendous footage. Incomparable pilot. Rest in peace.
when i was 16 i got in trouble for taking the family car 75 miles to see Bob Hoover fly the Shrike airshow in Everett Wa. I got in trouble as i told my parents i was just running around with friends, they never knew i had a love for flying.
I saw Hoover a couple of times, but most memorably with the Shrike routine, which was simply astounding. I have never seen anyone have such mastery over an aircraft. It was if they were one.
I've seen Mr. Hoover fly his airshow routine twice in my life, once as a little boy, and again as an adult in my 30's. What an honor to have seen such a piece of history in action!
I had the fortune to be in the pits at Reno in 1974, 6 months out of the USMC, and met Bob. Fascinating man! I returned to Reno in 1979 and couldn't believe he remembered who I was! That trip was tainted with Steve Hinton's crash, but I will never forget the time spent in conversation with Bob Hoover. Greatest pilot ever. RIP, Mr Hoover...
I can’t think of a single man that has been a more effective ambassador for aviation than Bob Hoover. He has covered so many areas to influence that community. His exceptional skill was equally matched with his genuineness as a human being. Saw him perform a number of times and I happened to be in Vegas at NBAA in the early 2003s at a restaurant on the strip waiting when behind me I heard that TN drawl and standing there was Bob waiting to be seated, it happened to be his birthday and the people at Shell were giving him a birthday party. I wished him well and he responded as you would expect with that smile and a thank you. What the FAA did to him was unconscionable and I’m glad he finally beat them. R.I.P. Mr Hoover.
I remember about that FAA stupidity. What a bunch of idiots, the same dumbasses that are partially responsible for the whole MAX scandal. Bob was a cut above the rest, he's now a legend!
I had the honor of seeing Bob Hoover fly in an airshow at Moffett Field in California also I believe at a gathering of War Birds in Merced. Never failed to impress the crowds.
It takes something truly special to make a man like Bob Hoover. He was the pilot we didn't deserve, but was fortunate to have to pave the way for modern aviation as we know it. May your skies be forever clear Bob, Rest in Peace aviator.
My Grandpa met him at Palmdale, when he (my Grandpa) was a flightline electrical troubleshooter at Rockwell International, during T-39 production. I wished he was still around to see this documentary.
I saw him fly several times. He made flying look so simple that one could think anyone could do it. He certainly was one of the top three of WW2 pilots. To me Jimmy Doolittle was the ‘best’, with Yeager the third in the group. Doolittle flew the BeeGee to several wins and lived. He also lead the 8th AF and change the way it used the fighter escorts. He allowed them to leave the bombers once the target was hit and go after German aircraft on the ground; thus gaining absolute air dominance over the German Air Force which made D Day much easier. He even lead several raids until Eisenhower threaten to court martial him. Yeager flew B57s in Vietnam.
I saw Bob Hoover many times performing at airshows across the country - as a kid going to the Cleveland National Airshow, to several others in various parts of the country -- I'm an 'Air Show Junkie' that goes on vacations just to see air shows. I also attended the Legacy film premiere at Wright Patterson shortly before he passed - I was in the second row. Bob has inspired MANY into aviation! Such a (consummate PROFESSIONAL) pilot DESERVES our respect! --Sorry for that last poorly-worded thought - Words really do not easily describe what Bob has meant to aviation!
If everyone in the world had the same demeanor and gentlemanly disposition of Bob Hoover, the world would most certainly be a very peaceful, loved filled, and respected place. Every time I have ever seen Hoover speak to any individual on the many films and clips available out there, he ALWAYS treats everyone with GENUINE respect.
Besides knowing Neil Armstrong, and Yuri Gagarin, he also knew Orville Wright. Think about that while watching him fly a Sabreliner jet. What a world we live in! RIP Bob Hoover (Born: 1922 - Gone west: 2016).
I had the honor of seeing Mr. Hoover perform at the Reno Air Races in 1996.When he shut those engines down, the crowd went dead silent and stayed that way until he rolled up on the yellow ribbon, pushed it but didn't break it. The place came unglued.
When I was working for Rockwell International, Sabreliner División, I met Bob at the Reading Airshow. We hoisted a few at the Rockwell pavilion. It is now the wrong thing to do, but like so many "Old Guys" Bob would fly a show, then have many drinks that night. The next morning Bob would get his box lunch, hop into the P-51, and fly on to his next show. I'm proud to have met Bob. A great talent and a great representative for Rockwell. He is missed and there won't be anyone like him again.
I was one of those kids who met Bob Hoover and ended up as a professional pilot years later. My experience was being presented with a trophy from Bob Hoover after winning a hand launch glider contest at an air show in inyokern California. He performed in the North American Rockwell P-51. My thermic B glider stayed aloft longer than the others that day. I won and Bob gave me a trophy and a certificate for my first flight lesson. I still remember the tail number of the Cessna 150 it was in, N3359V.
Some years ago I had the opportunity to work from an older guy at an airport in Mississippi. He was in his 80's then. He flew in the end of ww2 Korea and Vietnam. He was tough and strict but taking off and landing in a Piper Chiefland, he was smooth as silk. He gave me many wonderful opportunities. Thank you Billy
In 1992 I made my one and only dream pilgrimage to the Reno Air Races and saw this guy shut off his engines, make a perfect powerless landing that had the perfect amount of momentum that allowed him to roll right up to the centre front of the many seating area. Just genius control. That was.my first and only experience of Bob Hoover and it left a great impression.
I got to watch Bob Hoover fly the first time I’d seen him at the old Hamilton Air Force base in Novato, CA. Back in either 1987 or ‘88. Later I met him and shook his hand in 2005 at Oshkosh.
I had the honour of shaking Bob's hand at Valley Field pylon race and air show in Tasmania Australia. I owned and flew the only Barney Oldfield Super Baby Great Lakes in Australia at that time at that show.
I was fortunate to meet Bob Hoover and shake his Hand at the Salinas air show. I was a nobody, but he treated me like a friend > I will never forget forget that moment!
I have seen Bob Hoover flying several times in my life. There is only one thing to say, he was one of the best pilots in the world and he performed top notch every time. I was really looking forward to watch this video but had to switch off because of the rotten music drenching most of the spoken words I wanted to hear. So sad!
I attended the Winnipeg air show in '73 . The crowd was assembled near by at a small strip.....Over the PA system we heard Bob Hoover introduced while he was still a mile out. He was starting what would end up being a 16 point role in a low pass with a saber jet. WOW!!! ......And that was just his start to the show
I had the privilege of watching and meeting Bob Hoover at the Chesterfield county airport airshow in Virginia. I will keep this memory till it's my time.
Excellent! Thank you sir for your service and for helping to continue the legacy. I did get to see him do the dead stick loop, roll and landing once when I was a kid. Outstanding!
I would love to watch and enjoy this video but someone on your production staff enjoys the extremely LOUD music rather than the words of Bob Hoover. I and a couple of my flying friends finally gave up after just a few minutes. I had the opportunity to meet Bob Hoover way back in the late 80's when he was performing in his Shrick Commander up in central MN. This man has had a GREAT career. What an American patriot.
Probably watched this and EVERY 1 of Mr. Hoovers Vids I can find Met him a few times but Always took everything he told me about Just fly the Airplane to attrition, From Twins to Singles I never got to meet his family if any of his reads this I STILL active & alive because of Great Men & Teachers like him.❤
One of my all time hero's! Met him when I was 18 jumping out of C-47's for the CAF in Harlingen TX. I thought " man what am I doing, I need to be flying not jumping" ! I had to stop and watch him fly no matter what I was doing! That was 1977 and now I'm at the finish line of my career with 33 years at Delta airlines and the privilege to have in later years flown a PBY Catalina, B-25 and AT6 Texan for the CAF 1999-2005. Greatest pilot that ever lived and I've had the great honor of meeting almost all of my hero's from the greatest generation!
Saw many airshows with Bob in them, for me he's what being an American is and should be about. I'll add a prayer for you Robert and hope to meet you in the next flight.
Excellent. Saw Bob Hoover fly in the DuPage Airshow, early 70s. The Best. Still remember the dead stick loops, spins, and landing in the ShriCommander. The Absolutely best pilot I have ever seen. The very definition of The Right Stuff.
...wonderful video. Mr Hoover is a legend. I first saw him flying his aerobatic routine in his yellow P-51 nicknamed "Old Yeller". at an airshow in Milwaukee WI in 1967. I was so impressed by his flying (and the P-51) that I actually bought built a model of one 51 which I painted in the Hoovers yellow and black strip scheme. He also flew it in a standard suit & tie not a flight suit. That rolling yawing manoeuvre was referred to as "The Tennessee Waltz".. He would return annually and always put on a show. becoming was a big inspiration for myself to take flight lessons. His most amazing performance was with the twin engine Shrike Aero Commander where as in the video, he would cut both engines and perform several aerobatic manoeuvres after which he made a "dead stick" landing and taxi up to show centre. One other video I remember was where he has a glass of water on the top of the control panel of the Aero Commander to illustrate that a barrel roll was a constant 1G manoeuvre. Not a drop was spilled, that is how precise is he was. I've also seen Sean Tucker who performed some of the most incredible maneuvers I've ever witnessed. one called the Centrifuge where he flips the aeroplane nose over tail while moving horizontally and the other referred to as the "Harrier" where he hovers the aircraft on the prop.
An absolute legend in Aviation and a true gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bob at several Airshows held at Avalon in Victoria, Australia. An unassuming guy who had nothing to prove to anyone else, a real man of the people. He would come into the dining area at Avalon for breakfast and dinner and line up with all of the other airshow staff. It was lucky for me that he often dined with the Airboss & ATC table where we got to know him better. I am a better person for having met Mr. Bob Hoover. R.I.P Bob. ✈️✈️✈️
Wow. I just finished watching this and I am very moved by this inspirational story. Thank you Harrison Ford for narrating. Thank you for Mr. Hoover's team for helping get this video produced. There are too many points to praise in his story. I find this to be a shining example of how one person can improve themselves, the people around themselves, and make the world a better place. Thank you again.
I watched Bob's hands while he flew the 4 point roll, only a few seconds but it showed his sublime control. the column barely moved, just enough at just the right time. Perfection.
Hello IM NOTORIOUS IRBY IN NEWARK NEW JERSEY MY COUSIN IS IN THE US AIR FOCRES AND MY UNKLE SERVE AS A US MARINE AND I WANT TO SAY THIS WORLD WAR TWO PILOTS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND BEING A TRUE PILOTS THAS YOU IS I SALUTE TO YOU AND YOU SAVE YOUR SELF AND THE PLANE
These stores are absolutely amazing and every aviation enthusiast should delve into the men and the machines that have brought such a profound gift to the world Now I’m off to fly with renewed vigor in the hobby
I saw Mr, Hoover fly the Shrike at Kissimmee air show in mid 70's . after that flight he walked over to us and ask for a drink of water and then turned and got into a P-51 . at the time we did not realize the greatness that stood before us .
Some years back, I was hosting a radio show in Geelong, a city close to Avalon airshows down under. As a plane guy, I volunteered to to do the outside broadcast from the airport. I was lucky enough to be able to chat to Bob for quite a while on air and off. Amazing man.
Great presentation... didn't recognize Harrison Ford's narrative voice, but he, too, is an accomplished pilot who has saved lives as an aviator. Saw Bob twice in my youth, and it was stunning. Only the Blue Angles commanded more awe, PERHAPS. Hard to say. But the film reveals something true about most aviators, per my experience in the Air Force... there is a common trait Bob and the others in this film example: they are fine human beings with their heads on straight, and they put more into, get more out of, and share their remarkable life with others. Salute.
Had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hoover perform with his Shrike at a Torrance Airport (California) airshow. Just absolute precision flying. The man understood his aircraft.
Had the pleasure of flying and filming with him numerous times in the 80s. Always special, and such a great sense of humor. At the time he had the Rockwell P-51 and the twin Shrike. 🙏 The Tennessee wing walk was always fun as was the glass of water G-trick.
I first saw Bob flying his Shrike at the Reading, PA air show in 1974, I was 15 and was in awe of his show, finishing by doing a loop with both engines out, dead stick landing and rolling to a stop at air show center! Inspired by Bob I worked hard at my flying lessons in a J3, then C150, then 172 and got my multi in an Apache, then soon became a professional pilot starting my working career at age 19 flying cancelled checks at night in an Aero Commander 690, so you know I had to roll it, just like Bob would! I went through Air Force pilot training in 1983 at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX, and I would always do Bob’s 4pt, 8pt and 16pt aileron rolls in the T38. Over the years I’ve seen Bob’s show many times but I never forget that first time! RIP Bob!
I met bob while working for Evergreen. We were at an Air Show. Nice guy. He had lunch with us and he signed my photograph. I tried to enlist in the Air Force when I was 14.
A great tribute to a great pilot. In 2016 we lost probably the two greatest test pilots of all time, on both sides of the Pond. I'm referring to RA Hoover and our own Captain Eric ' Winkle' Brown RN
I was working at an airshow once where Bob Hoover was one of the performers. My particular pre-show assignment was to drive a shuttle bus to pick up the pilots at the hangers and take them to the terminal for a pilot briefing. I stopped at the hangar where he was waiting outside and opened the door for him to get in for the 100-yard ride but he stopped at the door and told me that he would wait for a limousine to get him. So I left him there. He may be a great pilot but he showed me that he felt he was above the little people and too good to ride a bus. I lost all respect for him that day.
My father's last flying assignment prior to retiring from the USAF in 1975 was flying the T-39 Sabreliner. Quite a change after spending most of his career flying RC-135s and KC-135s before that. He liked the T-39, found it to be fun to fly and very responsive and predictable.
I saw Bob Hoover do an air show at an airport in St. Augustine FL when I was in my 20s (about 1965). I am now in my middle 80s and I remember every maneuver that he made that day. There wasn't one that I thought he could complete safely but he did whether the propellers were turning or still. He is the most amazing pilot to have ever lived in my opinion. It's sad to know that he is gone and no one will ever see those kinds of stunts done so well again. An amazingly talented man. He wore his "porkpie" Panama hat and that fantastic handlebar moustache like no one else could. If you never saw him perform ask your favorite pilot to take off, cut the engines at the end of the runway and do a shondelle back onto the same runway and take off the other end of the same runway, cut the engines and do a loop with the props still. If it happens, it will be Bob with the stick in his hands.
I have had the opportunely to have seen Bob fly countless time is air shows and had the honor of having met him 3 times over the years. The first time was at the air show at Kissimmee Florida, me and another airport hanger rats asked the man that owned Marathon Flight School if he could arrange for us to me Mr. Hoover, he told us to wait until Bob was done with his flight in the Sabreliner and he would introduce us to him. After his flight Mr. Hoover parked the Sabreliner in front of the VIP tent and Ernie the owner of the Marathon Flight School took us out to the Sabreliner and introduced us to Mr. Hoover. Mr. Hoover told us to call him Bob and invited us onboard the Sabreliner and to have a seat, we got to talk flying with him for 30 or 40 minutes I wish I could have recorded the stores that he told. I met Mr. Hoover two more times at the SUN 'n FUN air show in Lakeland Florida and both times he remembered having invited me onboard the Sabreliner. Mr. Hover was a first class Gentleman and is missed by the aviation community.
Wow! I saw Bob Hoover fly that turboprop commuter at an airshow in Connecticut in the late seventies. Most impressive to me was a single engine roll while climbing. It definitely alienated fears of an engine failure!
Loved watching this video! I had the honor and pleasure of watching Mr. Hoover fly at a number of airshows I attended. I remember having a scanner with me listening to the air controller one day who started talking while Bob was doing a maneuver and Bob completed the skill, and then ripped into the controller telling him that the distraction could kill him. The controller was silent, and I'm betting he apologized to Bob later for talking to him during his demonstration.
I was lucky enough to see Bob fly three times in the late 70’s while attending the Reno Air Races. He was not only an airshow pilot but he flew a P-51 during all the unlimited flying. He would circle above all the unlimited flyers when if they got into trouble, he could talk them through it. He had probably seen any problem they might run into. Then he would land and do his show in a twin engined 10 passenger high wing commuter plane. He did all the maneuvers you were not supposed to do. But his finale was always the same, start at 5000’ AGL, execute three back to back to back loops, do a 16 point roll and land. His entire finale was with no power as he would shut off both engines before he started his routine! It was weird hearing the wind whistle past the wing and the feathered props! I also got the see Art Scholl fly his show! And meet Pappy Boyington!
That was a great video but I wished the music was more in the background. At times it was hard to hear what Bob was saying. He was a great man and a great pilot.
I saw Bob Hoover in Oshkosh in 1995. What he did with the Shrike Commander was mind blowing. He would shut down the engines and do a complete roll at a minimum altitude. A pure flying genius.
![BRASIL vs. PERÚ [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbyOJKXfQnI/mqdefault.jpg)
Met and talked to Bob at Oshkosh not long before he retired. Chuck Yeager was talking and Bob leaned over to me and said "You can't believe 1/2 of what he was saying."
My early days of flight training was at Torrance, CA KTOA. I had just passed my commercial check ride at the age of 19 and there was RA Hoover with Old Yeller. I told him that I had just passed my checkride. He said hop in the back seat and I will give you a ride. Strapped in and away we went. We flew over the Pacific from offshore PV towards Catalina Island. I got to know Bob even better at the Reno Air Races. He never forgot about giving me a ride. I think Bob was from Tennessee . My later friend Bob Lau,also flown West, was RA's ferry pilots. Driscoll took over from Bob Lau. I got to know Bob Lau very well. He showed me letters of recommendation from RA. Bob Lau ended up flying for Pratt and Whitney and after he retired moved to East TN.. Aviation is a very small world. God Bless Bob RA Hoover for what he has done to advance aviation and to promote aviation to the younger generations!!!! His legacy will live on forever.
I will always remember Bob Hoover flying his engines out sequence . He did an engine out landing and rolled up to the viewing stands. I can still hear the wind sound as it passed over the rivets. There will never be another Bob Hoover.
And it was narrated by Harrison Ford?! Very nice documentary! What a Legend Hoover was!
That's Mr Hoover to you sonny!
Truly great documentary, spoiled in post production by the music 😢 The music is well chosen and appropriate - but it tramples over the narration and especially the most important sound - that of the softly spoken Bob Hoover.
This happens all to often and the #1 reason is that the sound mixing is done whilst wearing headphones.
In the age of smart tv's & home theatre systems it's not so easy to hear voices when there's dramatic music that's simply too loud, taking prime place on a two channel recording - no matter how long the end user juggles with the settings.
Using headphones fixes that, but when there's a family watching then it's impractical.
Good documentary about a great man. It's worthy of a re-mix.
Totally spoiled. I couldn't understand half of what Bob said.
Yeah, got tired of the struggle to hear bob over the music.Had to go,
Remix to cut the sound!!
It’s an honor and a pleasure to say that I have seen Bob Hoover fly his planes in several air shows! It was plain to see that he was one of the best! What a great American and hero he was! Mr. Hoover the world will miss you Sir!
He was the BEST !
I'm lucky to have seen Bob Hoover , Art Scholl ,Patty Wagstaff , Snort , Sean Tucker and all the most talented pilots of our time . But Nobody could be more memorable than Mr. Hoover start out inverted, coming in steep and dead stick quite , with wheels up , whistling by 60 feet over the deck , then pull up, restart the engines and level out. In a civilian twin !!! The GOAT
Oshkosh?
Many years ago, when I was about 19, I had the pleasure to witness Mr. Hoover do his routine with the Shrike. It was amazing. Great pilot and a great man.
I sure wish the background music didn't drown out the impeccable Mr. Hoover throughout the duration of this video.
I couldn't understand half of what he was saying.
To aviation aficionados, the sound of aircraft engines, airflow, etc., is the music. We really did not need a musical score for this documentary.
Great man. Tremendous footage. Incomparable pilot. Rest in peace.
It would be a nice documentary if he could hear what Bob is saying. I saw him in 2003 with the shrike Commander
when i was 16 i got in trouble for taking the family car 75 miles to see Bob Hoover fly the Shrike airshow in Everett Wa. I got in trouble as i told my parents i was just running around with friends, they never knew i had a love for flying.
Thanks for the memories Bob; the finest gentleman and most talented pilot in history; RIP as you fly with the angels👍
Watching Bob in the Strike Commander was always a joy for me personally. He was one of my inspirations to become a pilot like so many others.
RIP Bob Hoover (1922-2016) a national treasure, inspiration to generations, and member of that exclusive club: the right stuff.
I saw Hoover a couple of times, but most memorably with the Shrike routine, which was simply astounding. I have never seen anyone have such mastery over an aircraft. It was if they were one.
I've seen Mr. Hoover fly his airshow routine twice in my life, once as a little boy, and again as an adult in my 30's. What an honor to have seen such a piece of history in action!
I had the fortune to be in the pits at Reno in 1974, 6 months out of the USMC, and met Bob. Fascinating man! I returned to Reno in 1979 and couldn't believe he remembered who I was! That trip was tainted with Steve Hinton's crash, but I will never forget the time spent in conversation with Bob Hoover. Greatest pilot ever. RIP, Mr Hoover...
Just plain and simple. My hero. RIP Bob
I can’t think of a single man that has been a more effective ambassador for aviation than Bob Hoover. He has covered so many areas to influence that community. His exceptional skill was equally matched with his genuineness as a human being. Saw him perform a number of times and I happened to be in Vegas at NBAA in the early 2003s at a restaurant on the strip waiting when behind me I heard that TN drawl and standing there was Bob waiting to be seated, it happened to be his birthday and the people at Shell were giving him a birthday party. I wished him well and he responded as you would expect with that smile and a thank you. What the FAA did to him was unconscionable and I’m glad he finally beat them. R.I.P. Mr Hoover.
I remember about that FAA stupidity. What a bunch of idiots, the same dumbasses that are partially responsible for the whole MAX scandal. Bob was a cut above the rest, he's now a legend!
I never knew how awesome hoover was until I was in my twenties and man what a awesome pilot and person
I had the honor of seeing Bob Hoover fly in an airshow at Moffett Field in California also I believe at a gathering of War Birds in Merced. Never failed to impress the crowds.
It takes something truly special to make a man like Bob Hoover. He was the pilot we didn't deserve, but was fortunate to have to pave the way for modern aviation as we know it. May your skies be forever clear Bob, Rest in Peace aviator.
My Grandpa met him at Palmdale, when he (my Grandpa) was a flightline electrical troubleshooter at Rockwell International, during T-39 production. I wished he was still around to see this documentary.
Bob Hoover, arguably the greatest pilot to ever walk this earth. This man is literally one in a billion.
I saw him fly several times. He made flying look so simple that one could think anyone could do it. He certainly was one of the top three of WW2 pilots. To me Jimmy Doolittle was the ‘best’, with Yeager the third in the group. Doolittle flew the BeeGee to several wins and lived. He also lead the 8th AF and change the way it used the fighter escorts. He allowed them to leave the bombers once the target was hit and go after German aircraft on the ground; thus gaining absolute air dominance over the German Air Force which made D Day much easier. He even lead several raids until Eisenhower threaten to court martial him. Yeager flew B57s in Vietnam.
I saw Bob fly in 1981 in Medicine Hat , Alberta and was absolutely thrilled !!!
I saw Bob Hoover many times performing at airshows across the country - as a kid going to the Cleveland National Airshow, to several others in various parts of the country -- I'm an 'Air Show Junkie' that goes on vacations just to see air shows. I also attended the Legacy film premiere at Wright Patterson shortly before he passed - I was in the second row. Bob has inspired MANY into aviation! Such a (consummate PROFESSIONAL) pilot DESERVES our respect! --Sorry for that last poorly-worded thought - Words really do not easily describe what Bob has meant to aviation!
If everyone in the world had the same demeanor and gentlemanly disposition of Bob Hoover, the world would most certainly be a very peaceful, loved filled, and respected place. Every time I have ever seen Hoover speak to any individual on the many films and clips available out there, he ALWAYS treats everyone with GENUINE respect.
I had my picture taken at the Oshkosh Air Show, shaking Bob Hoover's hand
40 years ago. The was a real life hero and a gentleman.
Besides knowing Neil Armstrong, and Yuri Gagarin, he also knew Orville Wright. Think about that while watching him fly a Sabreliner jet. What a world we live in! RIP Bob Hoover (Born: 1922 - Gone west: 2016).
I had the honor of seeing Mr. Hoover perform at the Reno Air Races in 1996.When he shut those engines down, the crowd went dead silent and stayed that way until he rolled up on the yellow ribbon, pushed it but didn't break it. The place came unglued.
An awesome gentleman with humility and a genuine desire to pass on knowledge and help others!
👍👍👍
If it wasn`t for the background music volume, this documentary would be outstanding.
When I was working for Rockwell International, Sabreliner División, I met Bob at the Reading Airshow. We hoisted a few at the Rockwell pavilion. It is now the wrong thing to do, but like so many "Old Guys" Bob would fly a show, then have many drinks that night. The next morning Bob would get his box lunch, hop into the P-51, and fly on to his next show.
I'm proud to have met Bob. A great talent and a great representative for Rockwell. He is missed and there won't be anyone like him again.
I met him at Oshkosh with a guy I built airplanes with who new him and we shared the habit a bit. What a great guy he was!!
I was one of those kids who met Bob Hoover and ended up as a professional pilot years later. My experience was being presented with a trophy from Bob Hoover after winning a hand launch glider contest at an air show in inyokern California. He performed in the North American Rockwell P-51. My thermic B glider stayed aloft longer than the others that day. I won and Bob gave me a trophy and a certificate for my first flight lesson. I still remember the tail number of the Cessna 150 it was in, N3359V.
Great story, and great memories I'm sure!
Insane.. much respect Bob, rest in Peace 😢
Bob was an acquaintance of the family, through his friend, and our cousin, Bob Herendeen. Love this!
Some years ago I had the opportunity to work from an older guy at an airport in Mississippi. He was in his 80's then. He flew in the end of ww2 Korea and Vietnam. He was tough and strict but taking off and landing in a Piper Chiefland, he was smooth as silk. He gave me many wonderful opportunities. Thank you Billy
In 1992 I made my one and only dream pilgrimage to the Reno Air Races and saw this guy shut off his engines, make a perfect powerless landing that had the perfect amount of momentum that allowed him to roll right up to the centre front of the many seating area. Just genius control. That was.my first and only experience of Bob Hoover and it left a great impression.
Definitely alot can still be learned from Bob. Thanks for preserving his legacy!
I got to watch Bob Hoover fly the first time I’d seen him at the old Hamilton Air Force base in Novato, CA. Back in either 1987 or ‘88. Later I met him and shook his hand in 2005 at Oshkosh.
I had the honour of shaking Bob's hand at Valley Field pylon race and air show in Tasmania Australia.
I owned and flew the only Barney Oldfield Super Baby Great Lakes in Australia at that time at that show.
What a beautiful tribute to a real American patriot. Masterfully done. Thank you.
Bob Hoover was a pedigree of men of Aviation just as Chet Atkins was(is) the legend of guitar playing.
I was fortunate to meet Bob Hoover and shake his Hand at the Salinas air show. I was a nobody, but he treated me like a friend > I will never forget forget that moment!
I have seen Bob Hoover flying several times in my life. There is only one thing to say, he was one of the best pilots in the world and he performed top notch every time. I was really looking forward to watch this video but had to switch off because of the rotten music drenching most of the spoken words I wanted to hear. So sad!
I attended the Winnipeg air show in '73 . The crowd was assembled near by at a small strip.....Over the PA system we heard Bob Hoover introduced while he was still a mile out. He was starting what would end up being a 16 point role in a low pass with a saber jet. WOW!!!
......And that was just his start to the show
I had the privilege of watching and meeting Bob Hoover at the Chesterfield county airport airshow in Virginia. I will keep this memory till it's my time.
Excellent! Thank you sir for your service and for helping to continue the legacy. I did get to see him do the dead stick loop, roll and landing once when I was a kid. Outstanding!
I think Harrison Ford’s narration adds meaningful content to this excellent documentary.
I agree! Just wish his voice was a little higher in the mix. Headphones and closed-captioning help some.
I would love to watch and enjoy this video but someone on your production staff enjoys the extremely LOUD music rather than the words of Bob Hoover. I and a couple of my flying friends finally gave up after just a few minutes. I had the opportunity to meet Bob Hoover way back in the late 80's when he was performing in his Shrick Commander up in central MN. This man has had a GREAT career. What an American patriot.
Probably watched this and EVERY 1 of Mr. Hoovers Vids I can find Met him a few times but Always took everything he told me about Just fly the Airplane to attrition, From Twins to Singles I never got to meet his family if any of his reads this I STILL active & alive because of Great Men & Teachers like him.❤
The greatest example of the "greatest example" God speed and good tailwinds dear friend!
One of my all time hero's! Met him when I was 18 jumping out of C-47's for the CAF in Harlingen TX. I thought " man what am I doing, I need to be flying not jumping" ! I had to stop and watch him fly no matter what I was doing! That was 1977 and now I'm at the finish line of my career with 33 years at Delta airlines and the privilege to have in later years flown a PBY Catalina, B-25 and AT6 Texan for the CAF 1999-2005. Greatest pilot that ever lived and I've had the great honor of meeting almost all of my hero's from the greatest generation!
Saw many airshows with Bob in them, for me he's what being an American is and should be about. I'll add a prayer for you Robert and hope to meet you in the next flight.
Excellent. Saw Bob Hoover fly in the DuPage Airshow, early 70s. The Best. Still remember the dead stick loops, spins, and landing in the ShriCommander. The Absolutely best pilot I have ever seen. The very definition of The Right Stuff.
...wonderful video.
Mr Hoover is a legend. I first saw him flying his aerobatic routine in his yellow P-51 nicknamed "Old Yeller". at an airshow in Milwaukee WI in 1967. I was so impressed by his flying (and the P-51) that I actually bought built a model of one 51 which I painted in the Hoovers yellow and black strip scheme. He also flew it in a standard suit & tie not a flight suit. That rolling yawing manoeuvre was referred to as "The Tennessee Waltz"..
He would return annually and always put on a show. becoming was a big inspiration for myself to take flight lessons.
His most amazing performance was with the twin engine Shrike Aero Commander where as in the video, he would cut both engines and perform several aerobatic manoeuvres after which he made a "dead stick" landing and taxi up to show centre. One other video I remember was where he has a glass of water on the top of the control panel of the Aero Commander to illustrate that a barrel roll was a constant 1G manoeuvre. Not a drop was spilled, that is how precise is he was.
I've also seen Sean Tucker who performed some of the most incredible maneuvers I've ever witnessed. one called the Centrifuge where he flips the aeroplane nose over tail while moving horizontally and the other referred to as the "Harrier" where he hovers the aircraft on the prop.
🎉Great memories of which I have same as I was on the crew team at several shows! Love Bob and his awesome stories!👍
An absolute legend in Aviation and a true gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bob at several Airshows held at Avalon in Victoria, Australia.
An unassuming guy who had nothing to prove to anyone else, a real man of the people.
He would come into the dining area at Avalon for breakfast and dinner and line up with all of the other airshow staff. It was lucky for me that he often dined with the Airboss & ATC table where we got to know him better.
I am a better person for having met Mr. Bob Hoover.
R.I.P Bob. ✈️✈️✈️
Pleased to say I have met Mr. Hoover, seen him fly, and honored that he flew over my grandfather’s funeral in 1984.
Wow. I just finished watching this and I am very moved by this inspirational story. Thank you Harrison Ford for narrating. Thank you for Mr. Hoover's team for helping get this video produced. There are too many points to praise in his story. I find this to be a shining example of how one person can improve themselves, the people around themselves, and make the world a better place. Thank you again.
Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager....two greats, and the best of friends, that we will never see the equal of again!! Now they fly in heaven.
I watched Bob's hands while he flew the 4 point roll, only a few seconds but it showed his sublime control. the column barely moved, just enough at just the right time. Perfection.
I shook Bob Hoovers hand once. A spiritual moment I will never forget. Art Scholl was standing close by.
"Spiritual", really. Which non-existent spirit would that be?
@@Tinker1950 I don't know, you tell me, I was talking about something real. Not a perception of yours.
@@gsp49 Since when was 'spiritual' something real.
@@Tinker1950 If you are in good spirits, happy, and content, you can't feel it? Seems real to me.
@@gsp49 Excuse me while I guffaw.
Hello IM NOTORIOUS IRBY IN NEWARK NEW JERSEY MY COUSIN IS IN THE US AIR FOCRES AND MY UNKLE SERVE AS A US MARINE AND I WANT TO SAY THIS WORLD WAR TWO PILOTS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND BEING A TRUE PILOTS THAS YOU IS I SALUTE TO YOU AND YOU SAVE YOUR SELF AND THE PLANE
These stores are absolutely amazing and every aviation enthusiast should delve into the men and the machines that have brought such a profound gift to the world
Now I’m off to fly with renewed vigor in the hobby
I saw Mr, Hoover fly the Shrike at Kissimmee air show in mid 70's . after that flight he walked over to us and ask for a drink of water and then turned and got into a P-51 . at the time we did not realize the greatness that stood before us .
Some years back, I was hosting a radio show in Geelong, a city close to Avalon airshows down under. As a plane guy, I volunteered to to do the outside broadcast from the airport. I was lucky enough to be able to chat to Bob for quite a while on air and off. Amazing man.
What a pleasant man! Really enjoy hearing about all he did in aviation!
Great presentation... didn't recognize Harrison Ford's narrative voice, but he, too, is an accomplished pilot who has saved lives as an aviator. Saw Bob twice in my youth, and it was stunning. Only the Blue Angles commanded more awe, PERHAPS. Hard to say. But the film reveals something true about most aviators, per my experience in the Air Force... there is a common trait Bob and the others in this film example: they are fine human beings with their heads on straight, and they put more into, get more out of, and share their remarkable life with others. Salute.
Had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hoover perform with his Shrike at a Torrance Airport (California) airshow. Just absolute precision flying. The man understood his aircraft.
I saw this man fly in an airshow wen I was in my 20s in Calfornia.. I am at the tender age of 56 now. Never knew I was watching a hero and legend.
Had the pleasure of flying and filming with him numerous times in the 80s. Always special, and such a great sense of humor. At the time he had the Rockwell P-51 and the twin Shrike. 🙏 The Tennessee wing walk was always fun as was the glass of water G-trick.
I first saw Bob flying his Shrike at the Reading, PA air show in 1974, I was 15 and was in awe of his show, finishing by doing a loop with both engines out, dead stick landing and rolling to a stop at air show center! Inspired by Bob I worked hard at my flying lessons in a J3, then C150, then 172 and got my multi in an Apache, then soon became a professional pilot starting my working career at age 19 flying cancelled checks at night in an Aero Commander 690, so you know I had to roll it, just like Bob would! I went through Air Force pilot training in 1983 at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX, and I would always do Bob’s 4pt, 8pt and 16pt aileron rolls in the T38. Over the years I’ve seen Bob’s show many times but I never forget that first time! RIP Bob!
I met bob while working for Evergreen. We were at an Air Show. Nice guy. He had lunch with us and he signed my photograph. I tried to enlist in the Air Force when I was 14.
He encourages me to be the best that God made me to be, and lift and encourage others to do the same!
Fly -Fight-Win. He did it. He was AIR FORCE. Rest well 🇺🇸
I thought that was Harrison narrating! Good presentation that honors a bona-fide American Hero as well as a Sierra Hotel pilot!! RIP, Sir...
A great tribute to a great pilot. In 2016 we lost probably the two greatest test pilots of all time, on both sides of the Pond. I'm referring to RA Hoover and our own Captain Eric ' Winkle' Brown RN
I was working at an airshow once where Bob Hoover was one of the performers. My particular pre-show assignment was to drive a shuttle bus to pick up the pilots at the hangers and take them to the terminal for a pilot briefing. I stopped at the hangar where he was waiting outside and opened the door for him to get in for the 100-yard ride but he stopped at the door and told me that he would wait for a limousine to get him. So I left him there. He may be a great pilot but he showed me that he felt he was above the little people and too good to ride a bus. I lost all respect for him that day.
Used to watch Bob Hoover at the Reno air races. Stopped going the year the galloping ghost crashed
My father's last flying assignment prior to retiring from the USAF in 1975 was flying the T-39 Sabreliner. Quite a change after spending most of his career flying RC-135s and KC-135s before that. He liked the T-39, found it to be fun to fly and very responsive and predictable.
Excellent video. Well produced. Had the pleasure of seeing Bob Hover fly at a few airshows as a kid. What a legend and great human being.
I saw Bob Hoover do an air show at an airport in St. Augustine FL when I was in my 20s (about 1965). I am now in my middle 80s and I remember every maneuver that he made that day. There wasn't one that I thought he could complete safely but he did whether the propellers were turning or still. He is the most amazing pilot to have ever lived in my opinion. It's sad to know that he is gone and no one will ever see those kinds of stunts done so well again. An amazingly talented man. He wore his "porkpie" Panama hat and that fantastic handlebar moustache like no one else could.
If you never saw him perform ask your favorite pilot to take off, cut the engines at the end of the runway and do a shondelle back onto the same runway and take off the other end of the same runway, cut the engines and do a loop with the props still. If it happens, it will be Bob with the stick in his hands.
I love you I love your attitude and your personality thanks for taking us for a ride
I saw Bob Hoover perform in his aero commander at the Reno air races, circa 1970. Best flying I’ve ever seen.
Bob Hoover and Art Scholl are honestly, without peer, the greatest aviators to have lived. I’m just glad I got to see them both live at one point.
Don’t forget Eric Winkle Brown
A British Royal Navy officer and test pilot who flew 487 different types of aircraft, more than anyone else in history.
i can't tell you how touching this video was! I wish I had personally known him.
I watched Bob at Avalon (Aus) in about1996. His show just blew me away. Thanks Bob.
I have had the opportunely to have seen Bob fly countless time is air shows and had the honor of having met him 3 times over the years.
The first time was at the air show at Kissimmee Florida, me and another airport hanger rats asked the man that owned Marathon Flight School if he could arrange for us to me Mr. Hoover, he told us to wait until Bob was done with his flight in the Sabreliner and he would introduce us to him. After his flight Mr. Hoover parked the Sabreliner in front of the VIP tent and Ernie the owner of the Marathon Flight School took us out to the Sabreliner and introduced us to Mr. Hoover. Mr. Hoover told us to call him Bob and invited us onboard the Sabreliner and to have a seat, we got to talk flying with him for 30 or 40 minutes I wish I could have recorded the stores that he told.
I met Mr. Hoover two more times at the SUN 'n FUN air show in Lakeland Florida and both times he remembered having invited me onboard the Sabreliner. Mr. Hover was a first class Gentleman and is missed by the aviation community.
Beautiful story. What a great man!
I saw Bob Hoover, Franklin Flying Circus, Bud Light Jet, and the Blue Angles at NAS Oceana in 1990. What a show!
Wow! I saw Bob Hoover fly that turboprop commuter at an airshow in Connecticut in the late seventies. Most impressive to me was a single engine roll while climbing. It definitely alienated fears of an engine failure!
Bob was just a natural born talent. I saw him fly a P38 at Oshkosh his lengendary show
R.I.P. to one of the greats!! Love that Sean D. Tucker was in this and they commented back and forth...
Loved watching this video! I had the honor and pleasure of watching Mr. Hoover fly at a number of airshows I attended.
I remember having a scanner with me listening to the air controller one day who started talking while Bob was doing a maneuver and Bob completed the skill, and then ripped into the controller telling him that the distraction could kill him.
The controller was silent, and I'm betting he apologized to Bob later for talking to him during his demonstration.
I was lucky enough to see Bob fly three times in the late 70’s while attending the Reno Air Races. He was not only an airshow pilot but he flew a P-51 during all the unlimited flying. He would circle above all the unlimited flyers when if they got into trouble, he could talk them through it. He had probably seen any problem they might run into. Then he would land and do his show in a twin engined 10 passenger high wing commuter plane. He did all the maneuvers you were not supposed to do. But his finale was always the same, start at 5000’ AGL, execute three back to back to back loops, do a 16 point roll and land. His entire finale was with no power as he would shut off both engines before he started his routine! It was weird hearing the wind whistle past the wing and the feathered props! I also got the see Art Scholl fly his show! And meet Pappy Boyington!
First saw Bob Hoover and the Strike Commander at MCAS El Toro, CA in the 1970's He performed that very act. It was unreal.!
Hollywood could never write a story that good.
That was a great video but I wished the music was more in the background. At times it was hard to hear what Bob was saying.
He was a great man and a great pilot.
I saw Bob Hoover in Oshkosh in 1995. What he did with the Shrike Commander was mind blowing. He would shut down the engines and do a complete roll at a minimum altitude. A pure flying genius.
I have seen Bob in airshows, and I have seen this video many times. I will watch it again.
Thanks for the memories and the service.