Written by JH (2015, 2021); Written by AMA staff (2022); Reformatted by JS (2026)
For over 40 years, John Hoover has contributed to aeromodeling across the country. John has ten designs that have been published, kitted, and distributed around the world. His designs have appeared in both Model Aviation and Park Pilot magazines. In addition, John is a prolific builder having built or assembled over 400 aircraft. (See picture 1A.) John’s efforts have been recognized by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Creative Scientific Award and the U.S. Army with a Certificate of Achievement for his designs. (See picture 2A.) John has also received the Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award. John thrives on competition. His aircraft have been recognized and brought home awards in multiple categories at the Weak Signals’ Toledo R/C Expo. In addition, John has successfully competed in both Soaring and Pylon Racing.
To make things easier for modelers and retailers, John created a line of low cost, high quality aeromodeling parts, hardware and accessories. Now totaling over 200 items, these are available throughout the country.
John’s extensive retail experience, while providing a tremendous service to the local aeromodeling community, has also provided first-time employment opportunities to local teens and continued work for retirees.
Understanding that there was a lack of traditional aeromodeling training, John has sponsored multidisciplinary (Free Flight, Control Line, and Radio Control) seminars on topics ranging from electric propulsion, soldering, covering, detailing, and weathering. He has sponsored at least six of these seminars per year for the last seven years. (See picture 3A.)
To further spur creative designing and building, John developed, over a ten-year period of time, numerous design and flight competitions. The latest, called the “Wing It” program, involves a single wing design that the builder can configure into an aircraft limited only by their imaginations. Examples include sport scale, canard, trainer, swept wing, biplane, flying wing, etc., all with the same wing. The “Wing It” program is now in its fourth year and has gone national. (See picture 4A.)
During the infancy of Electric Ducted Fan, John created events like the “Jet Jamboree” that put the emphasis on all things jet and created a local forum for jet jockeys to share ideas and their latest creations.
Because of the lack of swap shops in this area of Michigan, John - in addition to his store seminars - has rented a facility for a swap shop and more educational programs. For the indoor community, John has put together a special package based on his Archie foamy to get local modelers building, finishing, and flying their own aircraft during the winter months. There are many, many more examples of his generosity, commitment, and support. Locally, John has provided technical and build assistance to any modeler in need. Many times, he opens his store for quick repairs to keep folks flying the same day.
John Hoover is an aeromodeling educator, designer, competitor, manufacturer, distributor, retailer, employer, and generous supporter of all things model aircraft, with his products and services provided worldwide. For over four decades, he has generously helped all modeling activity with creative ideas, organizations, cash, and merchandise prizes. John’s continued personal dedication to the aeromodeling community around the world makes him the perfect candidate for the [AMA] Model Aviation Hall of Fame in 2021.
Joe Hass The following people support this submission:
Mark Freeland, Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award & AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame winner Ken Myers, Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award & AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame winner Keith Shaw, Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award & AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame winner Fred Engelman, Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award winner Steve Fredericks, Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award winner Chris Hass Joe Hass Ross Jones
Picture 1A: Cover of Model Aviation magazine, October 1990. John’s designs (Blitz) and kit reviews (Mega Bat, Das Fledermaus and Archie) have been published in Model Aviation and Park Pilot. Photo courtesy: Joe Hass (Model Aviation, October 1990) Picture 2A: Framed article from The Flint Journal, March 20, 1978. John has decades of aeromodeling experience dating back to 1978 when he won his first award. Photo courtesy: Joe Hass
Picture 3A: John annually holds multiple educational seminars for modelers. John, on the right, is teaching covering techniques. Free donuts and coffee are part of his programs. Photo courtesy: Joe Hass
Picture 4A: John’s latest creative endeavor is the “Wing It”. Everyone starts with the same wing kit and creates their dream aircraft. Notice the wide variety of aircraft (flying wing, trainer, swing wing, biplane, scale, and sport) all with the same wing. This is one of many of John’s highly successful efforts to promote creative aeromodeling. John is promoting the “Wing It” program nationally. Photo courtesy: Joe Hass
John Hoover Receives the Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award The District VII Town Hall Meeting on October 26, 2014, at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Michigan, had a pleasant surprise on the agenda. A noted competitor, designer, manufacturer, and retailer, John Hoover was awarded the prestigious Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award in front of modelers from throughout the state.
John creates amazing aircraft and makes them available through his businesses. He generously supports local clubs and hosts educational seminars.
John’s wife and family were quietly ushered to the front of the arena without John noticing. They were there as the announcement was made. District VII Vice President Tim Jesky was on hand for the award presentation.
- Joe Hass
October 26, 2014: John Hoover receiving the Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award plaque, Ultimate Soccer Arenas, Pontiac, MI. Photos courtesy: Joe Hass (Model Aviation, June 2015)
Viewfinder: One of the Good Guys
John Hoover is a quintessential modeler who was taught by his father the joys of aviation, according to Joe Hass, who submitted this “Viewfinder.” John continues a 40-year passionate and creative involvement in aeromodeling to this day. His designs first appeared in Model Aviation in October 1990.
John is pictured with one of his latest designs, the V-tailed Victor. The aircraft has a 56-inch wingspan and uses a RimFire 32 motor with a 4S 3,200 mAh LiPo battery and an 11 x 8.5 APC propeller. It includes flaps and a bomb drop.
The design is part of John’s Wing It program, which was featured in “Modeler’s Mall” in the June 2020 Model Aviation. It starts with identical balsa, spruce, and plywood wing kits and allows a builder to create his or her most imaginative aircraft. The group photo shows multiple aircraft that were built with the same Wing It
kit, including sport scale, sport, trainers, a flying wing, a biplane, and even a swing wing. All are one-of-a-kind but with the same wing design. This has proven to be a great club event.
Joe also sent a photo showcasing some of John’s foam
aircraft designs that he has built. “My favorites are the Mega Bat (durable and aerobatic), Archie (great indoors), and the F-106 Delta Dart (extremely wide flight envelope). Many of these appeared as reviews in Park Pilot.”
Circa 2021: Joe with his V-tailed Victor model. Photo courtesy: Joe Hass (Model Aviation, October 2021)
To better serve the hobby community, John even created a family of specialty hardware under the Aspect Aviation brand. “His generosity to the modeling community is boundless,” Joe wrote.
Circa 2021: Some of Joe’s foam model aircraft designs. Photo courtesy: Joe Hass (Model Aviation, October 2021)
John was a winner at Toledo Weak Signals symposiums and has been recognized by NASA and the U.S. Army. He has also received the AMA’s Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award for his continued support of aeromodeling and was recently inducted into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame.
Joe noted that John is “truly one of the good guys!”
John [Hoover] is an aeromodeling educator, designer, competitor, manufacturer, distributor, retailer, employer, and supporter of model aircraft. He has demonstrated excellence in competition, designing, publishing, manufacturing, and teaching model aviation. He earned awards from NASA and the U.S. Army and is a past recipient of the Carl & Beth Goldberg Vital People Award.
Ten of his designs have been published and kitted and appeared in Model Aviation and Park Pilot. He is a prolific builder, having built or assembled more than 400 aircraft. John has successfully competed in RC Soaring and RC Pylon Racing and created a line of aeromodeling parts, hardware, and accessories. He also has sponsored multidisciplinary aeromodeling seminars.
This page is a text transcription of the original document, made automatically and may contain errors. .