Mr. Hoover sometimes shunned flight suits to perform in a business suit (less trouble for the undertaker in case of an accident, he once said) and a trademark Panama straw hat.

I should turn this weblog black in mourning. Bob Hoover was the most *incredible* pilot. Of any generation. He will never be surpassed. This is the kind of pilot that airlines turned away from in the '60's, preferring the college graduate - Hoover, Yeager. They didn't have a degree, but they could sure fly the pants off anyone else in the world. RIP, Bob. Do Immelmans around the angels.