Are Your Heroes Cowboys?

I now see the guy as a prick based not only on this, but added to what
a whole bunch of what folks who know him say. Make your own
determination and if you get a chance, flip him off at OSH.



AV Press "Yeager's comments on Crossfield hit new low"


Here is a transcript of William P. Warford's article in the
Sunday, April 23 issue of the Anteleope Valley Press.

"Chuck Yeager is a great American hero, first man to break the sound
barrier. And, having read about him and heard stories about him for a
number of years, I can only conclude that he's also a first-class
jerk. On Friday, with the news of Scott Crossfield's death less than
24 hours old, Yeager felt compelled to suggest to the media that it
was Crossfield's own fault that he was killed in a single-engine plane
crash in Georgia. Must be a great comfort to the Crossfield family.
Television station KWWL in Iowa reported: "They were bitter rivals as
they beat each other's records as test pilots in the 1950's." "And
now, after the death of pilot Scott Crossfield in the crash of his own
private plane this week, fellow test pilot Chuck Yeager is getting in
some more digs. Yeager says he's 'sure sorry to hear' about
Crossfield's death. But the first man to break the sound barrier says
'complacency' seems to have led to the accident. Yeager says
Crossfield often flew in bad weather and sometimes 'exceeded his
capability and got in trouble.' " Exceeded his capability? As if
Crossfield were some student pilot looking forward to his first solo
flight. Crossfield's capability obviously was prodigious. Yeager, as
everyone knows, was the first pilot to break the sound barrier,
Crossfield was the first to travel twice the speed of sound. Both
were featured in the famous Tom Wolfe book, "The Right Stuff." As for
Crossfield's crash, the re was indeed bad weather that night, but it
looks like the investigators needn't bother even going to the scene -
Yeager's already determined what happened. Isn't this the guy
everybody make a big deal about for flying with a broken rib on his
record-setting flight, against regulations? Wasn't that taking an
unnecessary risk? I've heard stories from old-timers around here
about Yeager's boorish attitude and lack of concern for others. Maybe
60 years of everybody telling you how great you are makes you think
you don't need anybody else. That's sad. But hey, it's been a big
week for Yeager. Not only did his rival die in a crash that Yeager
could blame him for, he also won a $1 million court judgment against
his own daughter. Way to go, Chuck............. "

2nd reply to this post......
I have met a number of the test pilots and all have giant egos. So do
surgeons.
Some of these people are in a very competitive profession no less than
race drivers. Why make a big deal out of someone not feeling sorry for
someones death?
Anyone remember Frank Tallman? He too was a great pilot but one that
toned down the ego when he was talking to the public. Hoover did too. I
recall Hoover was at Tallmans funeral in Costa Mesa.
Tallman smacked into Santiago Peak while trying to press weather on the
same morning I cancelled a flight for the snotty weather. I'm not in
the same league with Tallman, Crossfield, or any number of other pilots
who augered in with bad weather.
Its funny that the weather has little or no respect for anyone
regardless of reputation, skill, hours logged, equipment flown, or
perceived greatness.
Why pick on Yeager? But, he is used to it and can take care of himself.
I take it you are not a Yeager fan.....and neither am I? So what....