Day 736 of BOB HOOVER Grounded (April 20, 1995)
Bob Hoover, test pilot and airshow pilot, was accused of flawed flying and having an "impaired brain" by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and his license was revoked on April 14, 1993. Independent doctors who are not paid by the FAA found nothing wrong with Hoover's brain. Hoover easily demonstrated that he still has the "right stuff" by doing his aerobatic feats and the courts ordered the FAA to return Hoover to flight status (with medical certificate). The FAA appealed to the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and the NTSB, agreeing with the FAA that the "law judge erred", reversed the decision. Bob Hoover was grounded. He went to Australia, passed all their flight and medical tests, and can now perform in airshows and get paid anywhere in the world except the United States. He's been performing in Australia and other countries. A decision by the Appellate court on November 3 denied Bob Hoover's appeal (oral arguments were presented on October 31, 1994). Bob Hoover had 90 days to file petition for certiorari review with the U.S. Supreme court. This petition was filed on February 1, 1995. The FAA and the NTSB were allowed to reply to the petition but they did not. The Supreme Court then was to decide on whether to review it or not. In early April, the Supreme Court decided NOT to review it. (It was not entirely unexpected that the Supreme Court would not review this type of case.) This means that Bob Hoover is still grounded (at least in the USA). What action that can and will be taken next is unclear at this this time. To see a copy of the oral arguments presented on October 31 by Hoover's legal defense see below. (See also "Grounded! (the inside story of how the FAA got Bob Hoover)" by F. Lee Bailey, FLYING magazine May 1994, page 68(7); "The case of the ace on ice." by Daniel Pearl, WALL STREET JOURNAL August 17, 1994 , page A1, column 4.)
How is it possible that Bob Hoover can pass all the medical and flight tests of Australia but can't pass the US medical? How is it that he is able to perform anywhere in the world (and does) except the US? If there are any suggestions for action, please contact the World Aeronautics Association at the e-mail address below and put BOB HOOVER in the subject header:
waa@meer.net
Suggestions:
To make a donation or for more information contact:
Friends of Bob Hoover
c/o Wayne Smith Co.
1300 L Street NW. Suite 1050
Washington DC, 20005
.