Sully : Your Favorite Pilot?

Your Favorite Pilot?

As a flight instructor I do demo flights almost every week. Just to get a feel for the client on first meeting I’ll ask, “Who’s your favorite pilot?” Most people can’t name even a single one, or they'll ask if the Red Barron was a real person. But of those who can the answer I get most often is, Sully.

www.HumansofSiliconValley.com

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Chuck Yeager. But then I'm older.

May you receive all that Karma has to offer.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Mine would probably be Jimmy Doolittle who I always viewed as a real life Indiana Jones.

www.HumansofSiliconValley.com

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

In my case, it would have to be Eddie Rickenbacker, for personal reasons.

My father died in Miami FL in 1955. My mother needed to ship his body to Louisville KY where most of the family lived. In 1955, bodies were transported long distances by rail; standard transport by air did not occur until some time later. When my father died, there was a rail strike; trains were not moving. This posed a problem.

Luckily, my father's boss was a friend of Eddie Rickenbacker, then head of Eastern Airlines. Eddie Rickenbacker had one of his Eastern Airlines planes fly my father's casket from Miami to Louisville for no charge.

My family has always been thankful for his generosity and compassion during those sad days.

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Favorite historically famous pilot?
Or just Favorite pilot?

If limited to Historically famous, That would be tough. A tossup between Generals Chuck Yeager and Robin Olds.

If including even non historically Famous... Then its easy.

Capt. Carroll "Lex" Lefon (USN)

Runners up would be:

John "Bug" Roach (USN)
Bob Pardo (USAF)
Joe "Hoser" Satrapa (USN)



I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

For me it would be James Lovell or Chesley Sullenberger, both of whom were played by Tom Hanks.

A fictional pilot I really liked was in the movie "Air Force One," the one who flew the fighter jet beside AF1 while they were hijacked and who was ordered to fire on it at one point. You never even really see the guy's face, just his eyes, because he was wearing a helmet and breathing gear, but it was a great performance.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Speaking of great pilots...
We just lost one of the greatest this morning.

RIP Bob Hoover.


http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2016/10/bob-hoover-one-of-nations-greatest-pilots-dead-at-94/


I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Would have to agree there.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

My choice too.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?


Speaking of great pilots...
We just lost one of the greatest this morning.

RIP Bob Hoover.




I'm so sorry to hear that. He was the best.

www.HumansofSiliconValley.com

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Doolittle, Wright Bros and Hartman in my fav craft, the Bf109

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

So ... your claim is that most people are unaware of the Wright Brothers? That most people can't name Neil Armstrong? Or Buzz Aldrin for that matter? Though in fact, we're not talking about "most people" at all are we? If you're a flight instructor and you ask this during demo flights, then we're actually talking about people who have an interest in becoming a pilot themselves. I think it's a nice little story but I don't believe it for a nanosecond sorry...


We're from the planet Duplon. We are here to destroy you.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Mine are Henri Coandă and Traian Vuia. 🇷🇴

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

It has to be for me Eric "Winkle" Brown. This guy's career was nothing short of amazing.
• Flew 487 types of aircraft
• Holds the world record for the most aircraft carrier deck take-offs and landings


Well she turned me in to a newt!... I got better!

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

While I admire Sully quite a bit, Orville and Wilbur will always remain my favorite pilots. Just a couple of bicycle enthusiasts from OH.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Chuck Yeager or Robert Pearson (Gimli Glider Captain)

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Wow All these fantastic airmen mentioned.All are great hero's of the air.It's hard to decide but I think I would go for Charles "Chuck" Yeager.The master of all trades.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Ted Striker

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Surely you can't be serious.

Gotta vote for Bob Hoover, myself.


"They couldn't hit an elephant at this distan..."
General John Sedgwick, battle of Spotsylvania.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

I saw General Yeager mentioned. I do not believe you can mention General Yeager, or any of the test pilots from Edwards AFB, (Muroc Army Air Field), without mentioning the man himself; Colonel "Jack" Jackie Lynwood Ripley. A masterful pilot and master engineer. His understanding of aerodynamics as an engineer and as a pilot saved a lot of lives at Edwards.

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

How about Jim Lovell, who flew Apollo 13 back after the explosion?

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

Han Solo no contest

Re: Your Favorite Pilot?

OP: What is the worst or funniest answer you rec'd?
Top