Bob Hoover, Flying Legend, Goes West at 94

Bob Hoover, Flying Legend, Goes West at 94

News of the death of legendary test pilot and aerobatics pioneer Bob Hoover this morning has brought grief to the aviation community.

Hoover, known among his many fans as the “pilot’s pilot,” died at about 2 a.m. Pacific Time, according to reports. He was 94 years old.

Hoover’s flying career began when he was a teenager. He soon enlisted and flew in World War II as a fighter pilot. After being shot down over Italy and spending 16 months in a German POW camp, he famously escaped by stealing a Fw190 fighter and flying it to the Netherlands.

For the complete story by Dave Carriere of Flying, click here.

Updated: October 25, 2016 — 10:35 PM

1 Comment

  1. I saw Mr. Hoover when I was stationed at Grand Forks AFB in ’68. He did an amazing show for Armed Forces Day. He was going an awesome show until he blew the tach cover on his Merlin. He did a dead stick landing with oil streaming down the side of the fuselage. He rolled to stop in front of base ops. There was no paint under the wingtips from his program of tricks. He was the ultimate pilot.

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