A very eventful day! Up date on the plane

[snert]

So somebody else knows about Bob Hoover! You know one of our Texas Shooters is Gene Beggs. Gene was a Southwest Airline pilot and was on our World Aerobatic Team. The father of the Wind Probes and the 220 and 6mm Beggs cartridge.

I saw Bob Hoover do a demo in a twin prop aircraft (Citation?)at an airshow. His skill was beyond technical...it was art. It was like the aircraft had become a living creature. He was followed by a German gent in a glider who was just fabulous as well. This was back in the 80's. Still fresh in my memory.

 

[Knotwild]

So somebody else knows about Bob Hoover! You know one of our Texas Shooters is Gene Beggs. Gene was a Southwest Airline pilot and was on our World Aerobatic Team. The father of the Wind Probes and the 220 and 6mm Beggs cartridge.

I actually had never heard of Bob Hoover until I saw a documentary about him a couple of weeks ago. I did not know he existed. But after seeing that show and seeing how humble and kind he seemed to be, he got my attention. I doubt any man ever did what he was able to do, or ever will.

 

[Knotwild]

I saw Bob Hoover do a demo in a twin prop aircraft (Citation?)at an airshow. His skill was beyond technical...it was art. It was like the aircraft had become a living creature. He was followed by a German gent in a glider who was just fabulous as well. This was back in the 80's. Still fresh in my memory.

I envy you seeing him fly in person. The plane was a North American Shrike. Watch the video about him. There were many brave men who did great things. But no one lived an entire life on the edge like he did.

Bob Hoover, Flying the Feathered Edge

 

[rockhound78]

Never saw Bob Hoover in person, but have seen some of his videos. Talk about energy management!!
Quite the skill.
Check compression on the cylinders.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Hey Butch,
I’ll get a measurement but I can tell you that a Remington 722 is perfect.
I had quite a morning here in the Big Empty. My son asked me to take his plane and check his west fence that crosses the Wichita River which has been incredibly flooded for days.
I took off a little after 7 am and headed east into the morning sun. Five miles out, just as I was about to bank north over the rough badlands, the engine suddenly lost 600 RPM of power and I started losing altitude and airspeed. I quickly checked my gauges and fuel switch but all were good. Then I had to concentrate on finding a place to put the plane down. Hwy 82-114 had heavy traffic and all the fields were muddy swamps. Nursing the plane at an airspeed that reduced my descent, I made it to FM 267 where I hoped to put it down with no traffic. Hell, TXDOT had yellow cones set up in the center for a mile or more. I banked the plane to the right between two wind turbines and decided to try heading south in hopes there would be an open highway. With 100 feet AGL to spare I lined up on a strip of highway where the cones were not placed. Got it landed in good shape and pulled into the gate of a ranch and away from any traffic.
Called and got Sylinda to take me to Seymour to get 8 spark plugs. Got them set and screwed in but the engine still ran rough. I told Sylinda to follow me with warning lights on and we started for Benjamin 9 miles away. She called the sheriff and his deputy and he met us on Hwy 6 to escort us to Benjamin and the hangar! I believe I broke a record for taxiing distance!
It’s been a long day my friend! You and Charlotte have an enjoyable evening!!
Wyman

Hey Butch,
I’ll get a measurement but I can tell you that a Remington 722 is perfect.
I had quite a morning here in the Big Empty. My son asked me to take his plane and check his west fence that crosses the Wichita River which has been incredibly flooded for days.
I took off a little after 7 am and headed east into the morning sun. Five miles out, just as I was about to bank north over the rough badlands, the engine suddenly lost 600 RPM of power and I started losing altitude and airspeed. I quickly checked my gauges and fuel switch but all were good. Then I had to concentrate on finding a place to put the plane down. Hwy 82-114 had heavy traffic and all the fields were muddy swamps. Nursing the plane at an airspeed that reduced my descent, I made it to FM 267 where I hoped to put it down with no traffic. Hell, TXDOT had yellow cones set up in the center for a mile or more. I banked the plane to the right between two wind turbines and decided to try heading south in hopes there would be an open highway. With 100 feet AGL to spare I lined up on a strip of highway where the cones were not placed. Got it landed in good shape and pulled into the gate of a ranch and away from any traffic.
Called and got Sylinda to take me to Seymour to get 8 spark plugs. Got them set and screwed in but the engine still ran rough. I told Sylinda to follow me with warning lights on and we started for Benjamin 9 miles away. She called the sheriff and his deputy and he met us on Hwy 6 to escort us to Benjamin and the hangar! I believe I broke a record for taxiing distance!
It’s been a long day my friend! You and Charlotte have an enjoyable evening!!
Wyman

Great story. Real glad you got down in one piece. What is name of airplane you were flying?

 

[Dgd6mm]

Glad you're safe.

 

[hogpatrol]

Carb ice?

 

[butchlambert]

Carb ice?

No, Not if it did it after restarting it after a plug and fuel filter change. I have a high school buddy that has an airport in Henrietta, Tx which is not too far away. I'll call Harold in a bit and see if he can help.

 

[ebb]

One word. Lycoming

 

[357Mag]

I saw Bob Hoover do a demo in a twin prop aircraft (Citation?)at an airshow. His skill was beyond technical...it was art. It was like the aircraft had become a living creature. He was followed by a German gent in a glider who was just fabulous as well. This was back in the 80's. Still fresh in my memory.

All -


Howdy !

Bob Hoover flew North American Aircraft products. He was once sent around to various USAF bases to allay concerns pilots had about numerous main landing gear tire failures there had been on the F-100 fighter.

Bob was allowed to pick an aircraft from " then line. " at random. He often picked the dirtiest looking one. Bob would then proceed to fly the plane down the runway @ flight speed... Keeping one main landing gear tire on the runway. After seeing no tire failures in-person, AF aircrew confidence in the F-100 was boosted.

Mr. Hoover went on to incorporate the single wheel/tire balancing act into his famous airshow routines; which included ones performed in the Shrike Commander.

I heard that he sometimes let some one ride along during the Shrike performance.
I was once tasked to gas-up his Shrike between routines, when I was a lineman @ Consolidated Airways at Baer Field in Ft. Wayne, IN. While gassing up, I asked Bob about the ( then ) recently deceased Frank Talman... A famous Hollywood stunt pilot.
Bob's visage turned to notable grief, and I felt bad about bringing the subject up.
At length, I did ask about the possibility of my taking a ride in the Shrike, during the show.
Bob politely declined, and I'm not sure whether my mentioning Mr. Talman was a factor.
No doubt, Bon needed to stay focused pre-show.


Great guy with a fierce mustache and Panama hat.

Didn't mean to hyjack the post.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Pawnee Bill]

"Flying is hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror."

 

[butchlambert]

A KITFOX

 

[std7mag]

One word. Lycoming

I'll see your word, and raise..

Continental....

 

[Bob3700]

Witnessed Bob Hoover’s Performances at several air shows. He would start his routine in a P-51 Mustang ( Old Yeller) and finish with the Shrike Commander. The Commander was the more impressive demonstration for sure.

 

[Shooter13]

20 years ago a friend who owned a Mooney, myself and my son headed to Hilton Head from a small airport in Paintsville, KY. Got over Winston-Salem and the motor completely shuts off and then comes back on, my friend looks at me and says "you think we ought to land?" I'm like HECK YES! We call in the emergency and they guide us in, got there and never exited the plane, they towed us across the 4 lane highway to the shop, he had just had a major on motor and in 10 minutes the mechanic found an allen screw that had backed out. He said "aw, it's all good, would not have caused any harm" I'm like yea, tell that to my underwear!!!

 

[swd]

I’m glad you’re ok! Didn’t know you were a pilot. My 18yo daughter should have her PPL in a month or so. My father who was a Navy A&P made a dead stick landing as a passenger in a T-28 in the early 50’s. One of his memorable moments..

 

[butchlambert]

I’m glad you’re ok! Didn’t know you were a pilot. My 18yo daughter should have her PPL in a month or so. My father who was a Navy A&P made a dead stick landing as a passenger in a T-28 in the early 50’s. One of his memorable moments..

Sir it wasn't me, it was my friend Wyman Meinzer. I survived an accident many years ago in an old Luscombe and another in northern Florida in a turbo 182. Both of those were my buddies doing the flying. Both were not what I call their fault. The T28 was a very good plane. I'm old enough to remember airshows at Williams Air Base out of Mesa, Az and a guy that did magic in an old T6. My Dad was career AF. My youngest son was a career U2 crew chief.

 

[kneedtospeed]

Bob was truly The Greatest stick and rudder Gentleman that ever lived!
He was Also one of thee most Interesting guys one could ever listen to.
God Bless Bob for all he’s done, and all of our vets

 

[Geronimo Jim]

If you like airplanes got to buy Mike Dillon's book. It is a wonder
book about a great man. His life was airplanes and shooting a
small sideline. If you do, I guarantee you will thank me.

 

[snert]

Not to get too far off topic, but does anyone who knew Fred Sinclair well know if he was an aircraft guy too? He shot rifles, yellow, called Old Yeller. Just wondering.