Gave my dad, and my best friend their last airplane rides, your video made me really sad, but wanted to thank you for what you did, yours and mine are yet to come, hopefully a long time from now.
I think if I was the pilot I would have a hard time going back to land knowing a fellow pilot was making his last flight. I mean, you would have to land it sometime, but..... I thought it was a VERY classy move letting him land the plane.
@marshfield01 This is a 1;41sec video highlights of a 30 minute flight. Plus there were a bus load of his fellow residents waiting to go with him to eat. So I had to get him back. I was told to take him on a short 20 min. flight. we flew up the Columbia River Gorge to Cascade Locks and we made a landing there and another takeoff. I let Francis do all he could, I just backed him up. He did a great job. I got as much out of the flight, I think, as he did!
This is one of the BEST aviaiton videos I have EVER seen! I hope one day I can make someones life better by helping them out like you did in this case! Kudos to you! Aviation, the world in general, need more like you! This video made my day!
from skybobb-- Bob says : This was a great experience for me as well as Francis. To see how much he enfoyed the flight and to ge his hands back on the controls. If any of you pilots get the chance to do this it will help with GA I'm sure.
aopa magazine isued this and man way to go and your a hero taking a man whos legs don't work and takin him in a plan GOD BLESS YA and bob we will remember you...
Read the AOPA Article and must say that it is people like yourself that continue to renew the belief that there are some truly wonderful people in the world. Thank you for setting sucj a wonderful example!
Bob...We saw the article in the AOPA magazine then watched the video. It about brought tears to our eyes. As we know you in Vale we were not surprised that you would do something so special for someone. Land here at the ranch for a cup of coffee someday!!
I too just read the AOPA article and this is one of the reasons I love to fly, to share it with others. I just hope I will still be able to fly at Mr. Bement age
This was awesome!! I read this in AOPA as well as everyone else haha. I recently was able to do this with my grandfather. He has not flow in over 25 years due to a promise he made to my grandmother who hates flying, but she let me take him up one last time. It was an amazing experience.
My dad, he's 81 he suffered a stroke last year in the middle of January. He also lost his ability to move his left arm. And his left leg suffers weakness. He don't really cooperates much with his physical therapist as he dislikes therapy. He seems to be really sensitive to pain. At the rate and shape he's in and the fact he's always depressed. I really don't know how much time he's got left. Roughly I heard at the most 3 years. I really do love my Dad.
Francis Hoopes was a resident in a care facility and had been a pilot in his younger days. He had suffered a severe stroke. This was a wish foundation or Forget me not ride. He was just an ordinary guy that had a request: Take one more airplane ride. I got a call from a gal that was the activity director. She asked me if I would give Francis this ride. Fancis died about 8 months after this video was taken. This video was shown at his funeral. Bob
I just read your thread about this on the AOPA website and hit this video link. You sir, are one classy pilot, and I salute you. With all the BS political attacks on general aviation in this day and age, it's moments and events such as this that remind us all of some of the reasons we started flying in the first place. My hat's off to you!
A old boy told me one time something like this. Replace your wish bone with your backbone. If you wish you could do this, go to the nursing home and tell them what you want to do and then do it. You will be glad you did.
He wasn't the only one. I am the happiest when I am flying, and when I fly someone like Francis that makes me very happy also. How can you beat double happy?
Gave my dad, and my best friend their last airplane rides, your video made me really sad, but wanted to thank you for what you did, yours and mine are yet to come, hopefully a long time from now.
buzzy1147 2 months ago
The best people in the world are in Aviation. Minus the FAA. ;)
ejlister 11 months ago
I think if I was the pilot I would have a hard time going back to land knowing a fellow pilot was making his last flight. I mean, you would have to land it sometime, but..... I thought it was a VERY classy move letting him land the plane.
marshfield01 1 year ago
@marshfield01 This is a 1;41sec video highlights of a 30 minute flight. Plus there were a bus load of his fellow residents waiting to go with him to eat. So I had to get him back. I was told to take him on a short 20 min. flight. we flew up the Columbia River Gorge to Cascade Locks and we made a landing there and another takeoff. I let Francis do all he could, I just backed him up. He did a great job. I got as much out of the flight, I think, as he did!
skybobb 6 months ago
hats off to you
chris5812341234 1 year ago
Hats off to Bob! I hope I have someone like Mr. Bement around when I'm unable to fly. Thanks for sharing that moment with all of us!
jan288y 2 years ago
Once a pilot, always a pilot.
PilotPete109 2 years ago 2
very heart touching and sad he died 1 year later i almost cried
dsarehere 2 years ago
Now that is really heart touching... fantastic.
Kaipeternicolas 2 years ago
Very powerful message you send Bob. Nothing better then sharing the fantasy of flight.
BeechSundowner 2 years ago
Wonderful video and wonderful gift, Bob! Very touching!
N8229Y 2 years ago
Very cool.
AVIATIONPARTYcom 2 years ago
very nice,thats what we all should be doing ,helping people ,and making there dreams and wishes come true!
glenmann62 2 years ago
Comment removed
rayven2012 2 years ago
Wow that was terrific and very moving! What a great gift to give a fellow airman! Way to go Bob!
helobelow 2 years ago
thats pretty cool.
gezelle007 2 years ago
awesome vid, that was great! Was Francis a private pilot before back in the days?
highwingprop 2 years ago
Wow that's just great!
EightCharlieFox 2 years ago
This is one of the BEST aviaiton videos I have EVER seen! I hope one day I can make someones life better by helping them out like you did in this case! Kudos to you! Aviation, the world in general, need more like you! This video made my day!
svboy3284 3 years ago
Beautiful!
Sandguy99 3 years ago
kudos, bob. well done.
sonex413 3 years ago
the reason we all should fly. way to go. i've shed quite a few happy tears watching this one. thanks...
sjfouts 4 years ago
from skybobb-- Bob says : This was a great experience for me as well as Francis. To see how much he enfoyed the flight and to ge his hands back on the controls. If any of you pilots get the chance to do this it will help with GA I'm sure.
skybobb 4 years ago
aopa magazine isued this and man way to go and your a hero taking a man whos legs don't work and takin him in a plan GOD BLESS YA and bob we will remember you...
joetokal 4 years ago
Way to go Bob! I'm proud to know you. Hope to see you at Gaston's this year.
invertedextra 4 years ago
Read the AOPA Article and must say that it is people like yourself that continue to renew the belief that there are some truly wonderful people in the world. Thank you for setting sucj a wonderful example!
flyhighone 4 years ago
aww..that was sweet,I teared up.
If only the rest of the world could be as kind to one another.
JaniceINJax 4 years ago
Bob...We saw the article in the AOPA magazine then watched the video. It about brought tears to our eyes. As we know you in Vale we were not surprised that you would do something so special for someone. Land here at the ranch for a cup of coffee someday!!
cowsrus2 4 years ago
I just read the Article in AOPA. Thanks Bob for being an excellent person.
airplaneboy02 4 years ago
Bob I just read the article in AOPA and you are truly a wonderful person. The world needs more people like you.
jordan8705 4 years ago
I too just read the AOPA article and this is one of the reasons I love to fly, to share it with others. I just hope I will still be able to fly at Mr. Bement age
flyinglitton 4 years ago
Just awesome, friend. You are truly a man of God. Bless you always...
kinshasaAPP 4 years ago
This was awesome!! I read this in AOPA as well as everyone else haha. I recently was able to do this with my grandfather. He has not flow in over 25 years due to a promise he made to my grandmother who hates flying, but she let me take him up one last time. It was an amazing experience.
femmeduciel 4 years ago
Mr. Bement,
Just got my AOPA Flight Training magazine and read the article about this video.
God Bless you, sir. You're truly a good man for doing things like this. My hat's off to you as well.
KeepDeltaMyDelta 4 years ago
Even from such a short clip, you can tell how much that meant to him. Thanks for posting the clip.
yourmortgageguy 4 years ago
What a cool thing to do for someone!
cessnaN89358 4 years ago
My dad, he's 81 he suffered a stroke last year in the middle of January. He also lost his ability to move his left arm. And his left leg suffers weakness. He don't really cooperates much with his physical therapist as he dislikes therapy. He seems to be really sensitive to pain. At the rate and shape he's in and the fact he's always depressed. I really don't know how much time he's got left. Roughly I heard at the most 3 years. I really do love my Dad.
Spektremohn30 4 years ago
BTW, who is Francis Hoopes?
anthonyklam 5 years ago
Francis Hoopes was a resident in a care facility and had been a pilot in his younger days. He had suffered a severe stroke. This was a wish foundation or Forget me not ride. He was just an ordinary guy that had a request: Take one more airplane ride. I got a call from a gal that was the activity director. She asked me if I would give Francis this ride. Fancis died about 8 months after this video was taken. This video was shown at his funeral. Bob
skybobb 5 years ago
I too read the post on the AOPA forum and followed the link. I'm glad someone like you in this world still exists. SALUTE!
anthonyklam 5 years ago
I just read your thread about this on the AOPA website and hit this video link. You sir, are one classy pilot, and I salute you. With all the BS political attacks on general aviation in this day and age, it's moments and events such as this that remind us all of some of the reasons we started flying in the first place. My hat's off to you!
agcatdriver 5 years ago
Thanks for the response. Bob
skybobb 5 years ago
What a classy thing to do... Wish there were more GA pilots like you - nice job!
wrxpilot 5 years ago
I would really love to do that for someone! Way to go. 600 miles is chump change in exchange for doing what you did.
MerkabaStar 5 years ago
A old boy told me one time something like this. Replace your wish bone with your backbone. If you wish you could do this, go to the nursing home and tell them what you want to do and then do it. You will be glad you did.
skybobb 5 years ago
Good for you, Bob. You made the old geezer's day.
bugs091 5 years ago
He wasn't the only one. I am the happiest when I am flying, and when I fly someone like Francis that makes me very happy also. How can you beat double happy?
skybobb 5 years ago