Who do you think is the greatest known pilot of all time?

Question

I think its Chuck Yeager.

Answer 1

wright brothers...

Answer 2

Alfred C Haynes.

Piloted an almost totally uncontrollable DC10 to Sioux City Iowa after the number two engine blew up, destroying the airplane's hydraulic system.

The aircraft did crash on landing, but there were many survivors. The skill demonstrated in flying the aircraft and the crew coordination was amazing.

He kept his crew working toward a safe landing even though they were all pretty sure they were going to die.

When the same scenario was put in many flight simulators and run many times, no pilot got anywhere near the airport.

He gets my vote.

Answer 3

John Glenn for the length and diversity of his accomplishments

Answer 4

The "Red Barron"

Answer 5

You could add Robin Olds to the fighter pilot list.  Gus Grissom (you don't get lead pilot on three manned space flight programs be being the "squriming hatch blower" as Tom Wolfe put it) for the astronaut program.  Al Haynes (commercial aviation), John Boyd (for tactics and design), Lindbergh (long distance exploration), I'd second Doolittle for his contributions to the industry (not many know of his employ by Shell and as the guy that brought you high-octane avgas).

The list could go on and on.....

And Gann for writing about them.

Answer 6

For fighter pilots it is Erich "Bubi" Hartmann.  352 confirmed kills.  No doubt.

Answer 7

Among Americans, there's also Skip Holm, Bob Hoover, Howard Hinestofle, Jimmy Doolittle, Steve Wittman, Michael Goulian, Roscoe Turner, Eddie Rickenbacker, Darryl Greenamyer, Steve Hinton, Tony LaVier -- there are a lot of "greats," but it's hard to pick a "greatest."

Oh, and it won't be "Captain Zoom," no matter how hard he tries to make you believe it!

Answer 8

Your question is "Who do we think is the greatest known pilot of all time"...That doesn't mean that a pilot had to shoot someone else down to qualify.

Charles A. Lindbergh was a great pioneering pilot.

Patty Wagstaff is a great pilot for aerobatics.

Scott Crossfield was a great test pilot.

However, Chuck Yeager (also a great test pilot) called Bob Hoover the "Greatest pilot he ever saw fly" and I would have to agree.

Hoover flew chase for many of Yeager's record setting flights, with none of the accolades bestowed on Yeager.

I saw Hoover fly at numerous air shows and he always amazed everyone who saw his piloting skills.

Answer 9

Hi Tracy,

I would agree with you, Chuck Yeager. He ventured into unknown territory with super sonic flight and more or less rocket powered planes. He was a pioneer and very talented.