A feature length documentary film about the life of flying legend R.A.“Bob” Hoover.
WWII veteran, prisoner of war, accomplished test pilot, top air show pilot – Bob Hoover is considered one of the founding fathers of modern aerobatics and was said by Jimmy Doolittle to be “…the greatest stick and rudder man who ever lived.”
The focus of this film is to educate aviators and non-aviators alike about the life of a man who has quietly touched the trajectory of aviation’s many developments – and who, due to his piloting skills, judgment, decency, luck, and just flat out ability to fly, is considered THE BEST.
Personal note: Interviews with a 92 year-old Hoover in Harrison Ford’s private hanger, as well as many icons of modern aviation, this film is captivating, and needs to be seen by anyone interested in aviation, as well as by anyone who appreciates a life well lived.
Available for free on Tubi, and for rent on Prime and YouTube (maybe AppleTV+ as well.)
Bob Hoover was a legend. I saw him in person a number of times in his P-51 and Aerocommander Shrike. The one and two engine out point rolls and other aerobatics before landing dead stick and rolling back to show center are almost unbelievable to watch and wonder how he did it. Energy management all the way.
He would take Rockwell execs up and do one-G rolls where the execs wouldn’t know what was going on until they looked out and saw the world was upside down. The trick where he put an empty container on the dash and poured a continuous stream of water into it while rolling 360 is crazy. He’s the only one I’ve ever heard of who could do that. And he was a nice guy.
The documentary is highly recommended and very well done. Bob Hoover was a very unique pilot who did a lot of good promoting aviation. One of the greats for sure.
