There are some in the world that really really want to fly like the birds… but they hate paragliders, hang gliders and sailplanes. So what is left for these people? Maybe strapping some small engines to your legs and using a wingsuit might do the trick… this guy claims he managed to fly straight and level for almost 30 seconds and that is quite impressive considering he was propelled by two small rc jet engines.
Robert A. “Bob” Hoover (born 1922) is a former air show pilot and United States Air Force test pilot. His personal trademark is a wide-brimmed straw hat and wide smile.Bob Hoover is best known for his air show career, which started when he was hired to demonstrate the capabilities of Aero Commander’s Shrike Commander, a twin-engined piston business aircraft which had developed a rather staid reputation due to its bulky shape. Hoover showed the strength of the plane as he put the aircraft through rolls, loops, and other maneuvers which most people wouldn’t associate with executive aircraft. As a grand finale, he shut down both engines and executed a loop and an eight-point hesitation slow roll as he headed back to the runway. He touched down on one tire, then the other, before landing. After pulling off the runway, he would start engines to taxi back to the parking area. On airfields with large enough parking ramps (such as the Reno Stead Airport where the Reno Air Races take place), Hoover would sometimes land directly on the ramp and coast all the way back to his parking spot in front of the grandstand without re-starting the engines.
A few years after starting the show, he began carrying passengers during the show — after all, he reasoned, the Shrike Commander carries six passengers in comfort (though perhaps not as much comfort when upside down.) These passengers became known as “Hoover’s Heavers” due to the number who became airsick during the maneuvers.
With the advent of camcorders, Hoover added a flourish to the act by pouring a cup of tea from a Thermos, while performing a slow barrel roll (a 1G maneuver). Video of this has been widely distributed, to the pleasure of Aero Commander enthusiasts.
In helicopter terms an autorotation is the equivalent of a glide. In case your engine fails this is the only way you can bring your helo on solid ground safely. This autorotation is somewhat unusual because the pilot comes in a straight in approach without a flare. Takes quite some skill to keep that helicopter from biting the dust. Check it out!
This Bk-117 was coming in to a near drowning scene and everything looked alright. Unfortunately one of the engines of the helo fails and the pilot is forced to make this dramatic hard landing. Check out the story for more details of this incident in Phoenix.
The Antonov An-70 is a next-generation four-engine medium-distance transport aircraft, and the first large aircraft to be powered by propfan engines. First flown in 1994, this aircraft is currently awaiting orders. The Antonov An-70 was present at the 2003 MAKS ( Moscow Air Show ) where it managed to maze the crowd with a stunning air display. Also check out the sound those propfan engines produce…
