Oct. 25, 2016 // NATCA Mourns the Passing of Bob Hoover, One of the World’s Greatest Aviation Legends

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)

For Immediate Release

Oct. 25, 2016

Contact: Doug Church, 301-346-8245

NATCA Mourns the Passing of Bob Hoover, One of the World’s Greatest Aviation Legends

WASHINGTON – National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Paul Rinaldi, commenting on the news today of the passing of aviation legend Robert A. “Bob” Hoover, at the age of 94:

“All of us at NATCA join the aviation community in mourning the passing of this extraordinary, legendary figure in our nation’s aviation history. He was widely regarded as the greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived. Through his incredible flying skills over so many decades, he became a larger-than-life figure and helped raise our levels of imagination and excitement about the beauty of flight. And as we have heard from those who knew him best, he was also a great person, which stands as a testament to his graciousness and generosity.”

“I was honored to join NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert and several of our members in honoring Bob at both the Aero Club of Washington’s 2014 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy dinner and at the 2014 celebration in Los Angeles which marked the creation of the Hoover Hall of Honor. To be in his presence was absolutely awe-inspiring. He left us a legacy of inspiration for pilots and aviation professionals and will forever be remembered as one of the world’s greatest aviation legends.”

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Certified in 1987, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers and other safety-related professionals.

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