Lets Hear It For "Hoot"
Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:33 am
From The Durango Hearld;
A lifetime in flight
‘Hoot’ Gibson earns FAA award for 50 years
February 6, 2006
By Alex Ritzenberg | Herald Staff Writer
For Harold "Hoot" Gibson of Pagosa Springs, the best part of the day is around 10 a.m. Once a week, he dons a headset and a microphone, climbs aboard his 27-year-old Piper Turbo Arrow and, with wife Lynn by his side, makes the 14,000- to 16,000-foot ascent over the San Juans.
In December, the Federal Aviation Administration's Denver Flight Safety Division Office honored the man who has logged more than 10,000 flight hours, piloted more than 110 different types of aircraft, and served in the Air Force for two major wars - the Korean War and World War II.
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, presented to the 87-year-old Gibson on Dec. 8, recognizes individuals who have observed industry safety precautions for 50 or more consecutive years. In addition, recipients of the nationwide award have to meet FAA standards of physical capability and flawless accident records, said William W. Berkman, editor of the flight newsletter Falcon Flier.
"He's an active flier," says Berkman of Gibson, "and a very good one."
Gibson attributes his admirable record to his attention to balance - a practiced combination of steadiness and caution.
"People say, 'How come you didn't have an accident?' Well, you fly carefully and prudently but not timidly or overcautiously. You fly boldly, but carefully."
No pilot, however, has been without a few close calls, says Gibson. He's had several equipment failures, including a particularly memorable no-power emergency landing in a South Carolina wheat field. He made another emergency landing in Stockton, Calif., when an AT-7 ran into him at 15,000 feet, chewing up the back of his aircraft.
The FAA award was the most recent accolade in a lifetime of recognized achievement. His battle with a MiG-15 in the Korean War earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and other military awards. He has received two air medals, served as a top flight instructor in WWII, and worked in air defense for the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Germany.
Throughout his life, Gibson has been at the controls of everything from a two-person, 37 horsepower engine aircraft to a Mach 2 fighter jet with speeds of 1,520 mph. He's been in the cockpit for flights to Africa, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Japan, among other places.
"Hoot" Gibson, nicknamed after the 1930s-era cowboy persona, began his long career at 19 in Newhall, Calif., working at a grass airfield for 25 cents an hour.
In college, he says, another student had an instructor's license - and the ability to change the trajectory of Gibson's life. It was then, he said, that he started flying at a local airport, and was later to switch from a major in agriculture to bring in a degree in aeronautical engineering.
In 1940, he entered the Air Force, where he served until he retired in 1970. These days, he says, he controls the flight plan, at liberty to pursue his passion for nationwide travel.
"It's safer than driving a car," noted his wife, Lynn, who earned her pilot's license 18 years ago. "I would encourage anyone to get a license if they're interested in flying."
The Gibsons, in Pagosa Spring continuously since moving from Monument in 2001, keep their plane a short drive away at Stevens Field. And, not surprisingly, nearly seven decades in the business hasn't dampened Hoot's spirit.
"I enjoy every minute of being with the airplane," he says. It's exhilarating just plain fun."
aritzenberg@durangoherald.com
Wow what a career!
Robbie
A lifetime in flight
‘Hoot’ Gibson earns FAA award for 50 years
February 6, 2006
By Alex Ritzenberg | Herald Staff Writer
For Harold "Hoot" Gibson of Pagosa Springs, the best part of the day is around 10 a.m. Once a week, he dons a headset and a microphone, climbs aboard his 27-year-old Piper Turbo Arrow and, with wife Lynn by his side, makes the 14,000- to 16,000-foot ascent over the San Juans.
In December, the Federal Aviation Administration's Denver Flight Safety Division Office honored the man who has logged more than 10,000 flight hours, piloted more than 110 different types of aircraft, and served in the Air Force for two major wars - the Korean War and World War II.
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, presented to the 87-year-old Gibson on Dec. 8, recognizes individuals who have observed industry safety precautions for 50 or more consecutive years. In addition, recipients of the nationwide award have to meet FAA standards of physical capability and flawless accident records, said William W. Berkman, editor of the flight newsletter Falcon Flier.
"He's an active flier," says Berkman of Gibson, "and a very good one."
Gibson attributes his admirable record to his attention to balance - a practiced combination of steadiness and caution.
"People say, 'How come you didn't have an accident?' Well, you fly carefully and prudently but not timidly or overcautiously. You fly boldly, but carefully."
No pilot, however, has been without a few close calls, says Gibson. He's had several equipment failures, including a particularly memorable no-power emergency landing in a South Carolina wheat field. He made another emergency landing in Stockton, Calif., when an AT-7 ran into him at 15,000 feet, chewing up the back of his aircraft.
The FAA award was the most recent accolade in a lifetime of recognized achievement. His battle with a MiG-15 in the Korean War earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and other military awards. He has received two air medals, served as a top flight instructor in WWII, and worked in air defense for the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Germany.
Throughout his life, Gibson has been at the controls of everything from a two-person, 37 horsepower engine aircraft to a Mach 2 fighter jet with speeds of 1,520 mph. He's been in the cockpit for flights to Africa, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Japan, among other places.
"Hoot" Gibson, nicknamed after the 1930s-era cowboy persona, began his long career at 19 in Newhall, Calif., working at a grass airfield for 25 cents an hour.
In college, he says, another student had an instructor's license - and the ability to change the trajectory of Gibson's life. It was then, he said, that he started flying at a local airport, and was later to switch from a major in agriculture to bring in a degree in aeronautical engineering.
In 1940, he entered the Air Force, where he served until he retired in 1970. These days, he says, he controls the flight plan, at liberty to pursue his passion for nationwide travel.
"It's safer than driving a car," noted his wife, Lynn, who earned her pilot's license 18 years ago. "I would encourage anyone to get a license if they're interested in flying."
The Gibsons, in Pagosa Spring continuously since moving from Monument in 2001, keep their plane a short drive away at Stevens Field. And, not surprisingly, nearly seven decades in the business hasn't dampened Hoot's spirit.
"I enjoy every minute of being with the airplane," he says. It's exhilarating just plain fun."
aritzenberg@durangoherald.com
Wow what a career!
Robbie
Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:17 am
Is this man in any way related to the astronaut "Hoot" Gibson who flies for Southwest Airlines now and has been mentioned in recent Rocket Air Racing articles? Seems interesting that there are a few "Hoot's" with aviation in their blood!
Ryan
Ryan
Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:46 pm
I think it is. I remember a P-63 at the National Warplane airshow several years ago that was owned and flown by an Astronaut. I don't remember his name but it seems that too may pieces fit not to be him.
That was the best P-63 I’ve ever seen; A true thing of beauty.
That was the best P-63 I’ve ever seen; A true thing of beauty.
Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:52 pm
I think the P-63 your thinking of was owned br Frank Borman. 
Robbie
Robbie
Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:40 pm
"Hoot" Gibson the Astronaut used to fly a lot of the Combat Jets Museum's aircraft before Jim Robinson had to disband the collection. In 1990, Hoot brought the MIG-21 to Oshkosh, he also later commanded the first docking of the Shuttle to the MIR Space Station. He is involved in racing a Sea Fury at Reno. Great guy and wonderful to talk to. He helped me with a project I was working on a few years ago.
I'm not sure he's realated to the "Hoot" mentioned in this thread, but it seems like there's more than one "Hoot" if you last name is Gibson!
Frank Borman did have the P-63 at Wings of Eagles.
Blue skies,
Jerry
I'm not sure he's realated to the "Hoot" mentioned in this thread, but it seems like there's more than one "Hoot" if you last name is Gibson!
Frank Borman did have the P-63 at Wings of Eagles.
Blue skies,
Jerry
Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:25 pm
i was gonna say...... if the space shuttle hoot is the same as discussed in this thread...... than give me a quadruple of what he's having straight up!! obviously 2 different blokes, but with the same respect intended. confused me a little.... the gibson shuttlenaut / air racer i know of is pushing 60 years old. both equally as ballzy though!!
Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:39 pm
This guy is my brother's brother in law (his sister married my brother) and he is called "Hoot" as well:
SAVANNAH, Ga., March 29, 2005 -The ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 business jet flew from Honolulu to Sydney in less than 9 ½ hours, establishing a new speed record over a recognized course.
The G550 left Honolulu at 10:47 a.m. local time on March 11, flying 4,548 nautical miles at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85 and landing 9 hours and 25 minutes later in Sydney. Because the plane passed over the International Dateline, it actually landed the following day, March 12, at 5:12 p.m. local time in Sydney.
Gulfstream senior international captain Hank Gibson served as pilot in command while Tony Briotta, captain, and Dave Winans, senior production test pilot, served as second in command. Also onboard was flight attendant Lisa Helms. The crew flew the G550 to Australia where it was on static display - along with the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 - at the Australian International Airshow 2005, held March 15- 20 in Avalon, Australia.
Always wondered what the connection to a guy named Gibson and the nickname "Hoot" was.
Dave G
SAVANNAH, Ga., March 29, 2005 -The ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 business jet flew from Honolulu to Sydney in less than 9 ½ hours, establishing a new speed record over a recognized course.
The G550 left Honolulu at 10:47 a.m. local time on March 11, flying 4,548 nautical miles at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85 and landing 9 hours and 25 minutes later in Sydney. Because the plane passed over the International Dateline, it actually landed the following day, March 12, at 5:12 p.m. local time in Sydney.
Gulfstream senior international captain Hank Gibson served as pilot in command while Tony Briotta, captain, and Dave Winans, senior production test pilot, served as second in command. Also onboard was flight attendant Lisa Helms. The crew flew the G550 to Australia where it was on static display - along with the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 - at the Australian International Airshow 2005, held March 15- 20 in Avalon, Australia.
Always wondered what the connection to a guy named Gibson and the nickname "Hoot" was.
Dave G
Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:34 am
FYI-
The "original" Hoot Gibson was a well known actor from the WWI era thru WWII, actually 1910-1959, hence the popularity of the nickname.
Tom-
The "original" Hoot Gibson was a well known actor from the WWI era thru WWII, actually 1910-1959, hence the popularity of the nickname.
Tom-
????
Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:13 pm
I think every aviation named Gibson is called Hoot.
There was another Hoot gibson who was a F-86 Sabre ace in Korea!
There was another Hoot gibson who was a F-86 Sabre ace in Korea!