RIP Bob Hoover, one heck of a pilot!

Discussion in 'Off-Topic' started by Mjrearden, Oct 25, 2016.

  1. Mjrearden

    Mjrearden Forum Enthusiast

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    This morning, the best pilot the world has graced the skies with, has passed away at the age of 94.
    I am only making this thread as it hits really close to home, back in June when my life seemed to be in a rut, I met Bob Hoover while I was volunteering at an air and space center during an event, and what he said to me changed my entire outlook on life.
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    I am not surprised of his passing, but I am very saddened to hear it. This comes, of course, the same year so many great and influential people have died, which just seems to make it all the worse.

    Bob Hoover was a pilot in WW2, he flew in one of the only US fighter squadrons that used the submarine spitfire instead of the P-51. While on a mission over Germany, he was shot down, and was captured on the ground. He would later go on to escape the POW camp, run to a nearby airfield, and steal a German FW-190, flying from the heart of Germany all the way to the occupied Netherlands, get in touch with the resistance, and get back home.

    What he told me that has changed my life goes as follows:
    When learning to fly in the 30s, he suffered from airsickness (a serious problem back then, as there was no medication for it then, so if you suffered from it, you would never fly again) however, he didnt quit. He kept at it and eventually got himself to fly very smoothly to get rid of the airsickness, which made him one of the best acrobatic pilots the world has seen.

    This wasnt a 'follow you dreams' or 'just dont give up' type of speech (which never help) this was a story of perseverance, using something that may seem bad to your advantage to make yourself even better. It was something I could relate to and he told me right as I needed to hear it. The last words he told me still ring in my ears today, but now even more so.
    "If you are climbing a ladder, and want to reach the top, and lets say several rungs are taken out, are you just going to quit and back down? Or are you going to find a way over that, and reach the top?"

    Rest In Peace Bob Hoover, may you forever grace the heavens.
     
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  2. cancer_chan

    cancer_chan Dedicated Minetimer

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    So sad to see him go.
     
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  3. gone

    gone Expert Member

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    he seems happy.
     
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  4. Mjrearden

    Mjrearden Forum Enthusiast

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    he was extremely jovial when I met him, im very glad I was able to meet hm when I did
     
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  5. crypika_

    crypika_ Dedicated Minetimer

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    We should all be honoured for his contribution to the community. He's now in a place where pain no longer exists, whereby his contribution to the society over the course of history and his wonderful speeches will never be forgotten ;)
     
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  6. Daniel

    Daniel Expert Member

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    He's not the only famous Bob who died this year... :(
     
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  7. west

    west Forum Enthusiast

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    mj rip bob but omg you hot
     
  8. Mjrearden

    Mjrearden Forum Enthusiast

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    idek how to respond to this lmao
     
  9. crypika_

    crypika_ Dedicated Minetimer

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    west is fangirling
     
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  10. Mjrearden

    Mjrearden Forum Enthusiast

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    Well, thats not surprising lol
     
  11. crypika_

    crypika_ Dedicated Minetimer

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    Well, it's not surprising to you but me coz west barely does fangirling
     
  12. Mjrearden

    Mjrearden Forum Enthusiast

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    Its only not surprising to me because back before I took a break from forums thats all west was doing
     
  13. west

    west Forum Enthusiast

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    hehehehehheheheheheheheheheheeh
     

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