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More than 300 Aero Club members and guests, including one of the biggest galaxies of aviation and space stars ever gathered in one room celebrated Robert A. “Bob” Hoover’s receipt of the Club’s Howard Hughes Memorial Award Feb. 4 at a festive banquet at the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles.
FLYING BUDDIES – Bob Hoover, left, reminisces with old friend and colleague, Gen. Chuck Yeager, at the ACSC awards banquet.
Photo by Jim Ragsdale.
Hoover, 88, became the 31st recipient of the Club’s prestigious annual award. A World War II combat hero, test pilot and world-famous aerobatic performer, Hoover accepted the award’s silver medallion from his old friends Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, and Chuck Yeager, first pilot to break the sound barrier. Both are former Hughes Award honorees. Watch Video Presentation Here
Both Armstrong and Yeager regaled the audience with tales of their early flying experiences with Hoover, whom Yeager called “the best military aerobatics pilot ever.” Hoover told the group how he had escaped from a German prison camp in 1945 after being shot down over Europe, and had flown his way to freedom in Holland in a stolen Luftwaffe fighter.
Master of ceremonies and ACSC president Nissen Davis introduced the famous pilots and astronauts who gathered to congratulate their old friend Bob Hoover.
In addition to Armstrong and Yeager, the assembled fliers included Buzz Aldrin, co-pilot on the Apollo 11 moon mission; Bill Anders, Apollo 8 lunar module pilot;
Fitz Fulton, former NASA test pilot; Bob Gilliland, first to fly the SR-71; Clay Lacy, former airline pilot and aerial photography innovator; Tom Morgenfeld, F-117 and F-22 test pilot; Dick Rutan, co-pilot of the first unrefueled around-the-world flight; and Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger, hero of the 2009 forced landing of his airliner in the Hudson River. Also present were other previous Hughes Award recipients including aerospace executives Jim Albaugh, Sam Iacobellis and Frank Robinson.
A wide selection of photos made by Joshua Barash during the Feb. 4, 2010 banquet can be accessed by clicking HERE.
To watch the outstanding video about Bob Hoover's amazing career, click HERE
AWARD MEDALLION -- Bob Hoover, center, receives the silver Hughes Award mediallion from two longtime colleagues, Neil Armstrong, left, first man on the moon, and Gen. Chuck Yeager, first pilot to break the sound barrier. -- Photo by Joshua Barash.
SUPERSTARS OF FLIGHT --Famous fliers at the February HHMA banquet enjoy a reunion. From left, they are Bob Gilliland, SR-71 first test pilot; Tom Morgenstern, F-117 and F-22 test pilot; Fitz Fulton, former NASA test pilot; Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander; Gen. Chuck Yeager, first pilot to break the sound barrier; Bob Hoover, Hughes Award recipient; Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, hero of the 2009 forced landing on the Hudson River; and Buzz Aldrin, second man to walk on the moon. --Photo by Joshua Barash.
CELEBRITY CREW--Gathered around the Hughes Memorial Trophy to congratulate honoree Bob Hoover, third from right, are half a dozen famous fellow aviators. From left, they are Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger, hero of the 2009 forced landing of his airliner on the Hudson River; Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin; Gen. Chuck Yeager, first to break the sound barrier; Fitz Fulton, former NASA test pilot; Hoover; Bill Anders, Apollo 8 lunar module pilot; and Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander and first man on the moon's surface. -- Photo by Joshua Barash.