jeremy.zawodny.com — I've heard rumors about a pilot who demonstrated that you can pour a drink in the c**kpit while doing a barrel roll and not spill a drop. Thanks to the magic of YouTube and an email tip, I have finally seen the video.
May 22, 2006 View in Crawl 4
wilf_brimMay 23, 2006
I was able to see his entire routine at an air show back in the early 1990s at NAS Miramar. His energy management maneuvers were even more impressive in person. See Wistar's comments above: his flying style was extrodinarily smooth, thus able to not waste energy maneuvers. Check the Wikipedia entry. The best comment comes from Gen Jimmy Doolittle as "the greatest stick and rudder man who ever lived." This from the guy who figured out how to fly a B-24 from the deck of an aircraft carrier.
twinklyjesusMay 23, 2006
When I was a kid, my Dad worked for Aero Commander. I got to go to many events where Bob Hoover flew. He was a spokesman and test pilot for the company. He did a complete airshow with no engines running. In testing these aircraft, he could belly-land the plane and not bend the props. I would give anything to be able to afford one of those turbo-prop Commanders.
nerysMay 23, 2006
thats the point it takes immense skill. you screw up a barrel roll in a jet and its no big deal screw it up in that 707 and you tear it apart. so both the amazing skill of the pilot and the good design (that the controls allowed such precise control of such a skilled pilot) sold it along with the fact that the people buying had no idea it was more the skill of the pilot than the ability of the plane. still heart stopping to see something so big do something like that :-)Chris Taylor<a class="user" href="http://www.nerys.com/">http://www.nerys.com/</a>
ikeanMay 23, 2006
HAHAHAha, that was one of the coolest clips I've ever seen. I want to see the in-plane footage of this guy, with his big glasses and moustache, in a dogfight with some commies.I'm surprised he wasn't pouring a glass of bourbon.
Closed AccountMay 24, 2006
that was the s**t I want a shoot gun... if you know what i mean while doing a roll?... if you still know what i mean?
Closed AccountMay 29, 2006
Spoken like it was coming from someone lacking a Y chromosome. Double X is risk averse. Law of the jungle.
wistarAug 17, 2006
Yeah. The P-51 must have been something to see.
biddudeSep 11, 2008
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