R.S. “Bob” Hoover (no, not the famous air show pilot, rather the VW-powered homebuilt aircraft guru) is himself a fan of Eric Clutton’s FRED.

In a post on the Yahoo Group Fly5k back in 2005, he said simply, “Eric Clutton’s F.R.E.D. is far more practical for the low-budget homebuilder than most folks realize.”  Hoover lauded the inexpensive mild steel fittings, easy towing and suitability for building and storing in a very small space.  Hoover expanded on his thoughts on FRED on his own blog in 2009, concluding, “With just one seat F.R.E.D. isn’t for everybody.  Indeed, it is just for you.  Take F.R.E.D. out a couple of times a month and you’ll be a better pilot for it.”

Read the complete posts on Yahoo! Group Fly5k (requires free registration) and Bob Hoover’s Blog.

[Note:  R.S. “Bob” Hoover passed away on August 13, 2010 after a long battle with cancer.  He will be greatly missed by the homebuilt aircraft community.]

Photo:  G-ASZY shows off the practicality that Bob Hoover lauds while towed on its own gear, wings folded and tailplane on the roof rack.  Note the license plate and its message.  Courtesy of Eric Clutton.