“We are honored to pay tribute to the life and the invaluable service of this national treasure,” NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said as he announced that the organization’s intent to honor Bob Hoover during the opening session at NBAA 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Hoover died October 25, 2016, at age 94 of natural causes, exactly one week before the business aviation show opened.

He learned to fly as a teenager in the 1930s and worked his way up from flight instructor for the Royal Air Force early in World War II to combat pilot for the Army Air Force toward the end of the conflict. Hoover was captured and then stole a German airplane to fly to safety at one point. Hoover stayed with the Army Air Force as it transitioned to the U.S. Air Force and ultimately became a test pilot, serving as thebackup pilot in the Bell X-1 program, flying the chase plane when Chuck Yeager first brokethe sound barrier in 1947. He ejected out of a Republic F-84 in 1947 and hit the tail—breaking both legs. He was trapped in a disabled F-100 Super Sabre that slammed into the desert, breaking his back. Yet he flew on into his 80s, acting as pilot-in-command of nearly 300 types of aircraft.

Air racing and airshow performances became his passion in later years. He was known on the airshow circuit for wearing a business suit and broad-brimmed Panama hat instead of a flight suit and cap while performing in either Old Yeller, a P-51 Mustang, or his Shrike Commander. In 1994, the FAA rescinded his pilot’s certificate, citing diminished cognitive abilities after an evaluation of his performance in the Commander, and it was 18 months before Hoover, through his friend, lawyer F. Lee Bailey, could litigate his way back to flying. He did earn an Australian pilot certificate in the interim and continued performing around the world.

Hoover was honored with NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, and was always seen at the annual NBAA Conventions. His presence will be missed, Bolen concluded.