2023 AirVenture Lindy Awards Announced
July 2023 — Hundreds of gorgeous, striking airplanes arrive at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each and every year in hopes of winning a Lindy Award. Few aircraft, in comparison to the field, come away with any sort of award. Fewer still come away with a Lindy.
Awards are given out across six categories: Homebuilts, Warbirds, Vintage, Rotorcraft, Ultralights, and Seaplanes. Entrants can be considered for only one category in a given year, and are not eligible for the same or any lower-tier awards if they have won in the past.
Looks are considered in award judging, but the quality of craftsmanship inherent in the aircraft is a crucial factor as well. Careful construction and/or restoration, as well as tireless maintenance, is essential in winning a Lindy.
With all of that said, congratulations to all the 2023 award winners!
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Homebuilts |
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Award |
Name |
Location |
Aircraft |
Registration |
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Kit Outstanding Workmanship - Plaques |
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William Barrett |
Gallatin, TN |
Van's RV-14A |
N615WB |
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Robert Lasater |
Rescue, CA |
Van's RV-14 |
N414S |
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Jorgen Kristensen |
Guelph, ON, Canada |
Van's RV-14 |
C-GMHV |
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Steve Jarrell |
Hendersonville, NC |
Van's RV-14A |
N614US |
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Dan Mesnard |
Merritt Island, FL |
Velocity VT-6 |
N106VT |
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Wally Anderson |
Eugene, OR |
Van's RV-9 |
N17WA |
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Keith Eisberg |
Columbia, MO |
Glasair Sportsman |
N70KE |
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Joe Haberman |
Onsted, MI |
Glasair Sportsman |
N717SB |
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Plans Outstanding Workmanship - Plaques |
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Shaun Milke |
Anchorage, AK |
Wittman Tailwind |
N226RT |
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Jeff Mullin |
Elk River, MN |
Pegazair SP-100 |
N113JM |
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Kit Champions - Bronze Lindy |
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Brandon Petersen |
Nampa, ID |
Kitfox |
N295P |
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Evan Brunye |
Boise, ID |
Kitfox |
N113VB |
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Trevor Yaworski |
Burlington, ON, Canada |
Murphy Rebel |
C-GSYV |
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Bob Baker |
Alva, OK |
F1 Rocket |
N550B |
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Jean Fisher |
Manchester, IA |
Van's RV-14A |
N442VA |
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Eric Gorrell |
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
Velocity V-Twin |
N535EG |
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Ryan White |
Polk City, IA |
Van's RV-9A |
N442WR |
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Craig Saxton |
Kirkland, WA |
Van's RV-14 |
N383WM |
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David Van Horn |
Lynnwood, WA |
Lancair Evolution |
N143VH |
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Steve Lutte |
Montgomery, TX |
Van's RV-10 |
N919L |
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Thomas Chapman |
Weatherford, TX |
Van's RV-10 |
N653TM |
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Plans Champions - Bronze Lindy |
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Michael Wilson |
St. Charles, MO |
Wittman Tailwind |
N105MW |
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Byung Lee |
Marietta, GA |
Byung Lee Special 11 |
N927BL |
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Grand Champion Kitbuilt - Gold Lindy |
Darryl Hudec |
Stone Mountain, GA |
F1 Rocket |
N255D |
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Grand Champion Plansbuilt - Gold Lindy |
Jeremy Price |
Watertown, SD |
Piper PA-18 |
N258JP |
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Paul Poberezny Founder's Award for Best Classic Homebuilt |
Marc Weintraub |
San Diego, CA |
Lancair 320 |
N320MW |
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Reserve Grand Champion Kitbuilt - Silver Lindy |
Eric Abraham / Trace Blakely |
Omro, WI |
Van's RV-10 |
N327AB |
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Reserve Grand Champion Plansbuilt - Silver Lindy |
Carlo Cilliers |
Frederick, MD |
Hatz Classic |
N462HC |
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Stan Dzik Memorial Award for Outstanding Design Contribution |
Jeff Mullin |
Elk River, MN |
Pegazair SP-100 |
N113JM |
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Warbirds |
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Award |
Wrench |
Name |
Location |
Aircraft |
Registration |
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Preservation Awards |
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Mike Reirdon |
El Cajon, CA |
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor |
N4982N |
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Peter Bales |
Janesville, WI |
Hughes OH-6A Loach |
N67PB |
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Jesse Schneider |
Jenks, OK |
Sikorsky UH-34 Choctaw |
N855BA |
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Preservation/Perseverance Award |
Bill Finney |
Muncie, IN |
Cessna L-19 Bird Dog |
N5190G |
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Judges' Choice |
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Most Authentic |
David Huffman |
Oklahoma City, OK |
Grumman C-1A Trader |
N189G |
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Trainer |
Steve Buchelt |
Crown Point, IN |
de Havilland Chipmunk |
N26JH |
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Active Military |
104th Fighter Squadron, Maryland ANG |
Middle River, MD |
Fairchild Republic A-10C Warthog |
79104 |
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Helicopter |
Manfred Harder |
Whitby, ON, Canada |
Bell OH-58 Kiowa |
C-GUGG |
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Jet |
Jerry Goggin |
Miami Beach, FL |
Shorts Tucano |
N411ZF |
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Bomber |
Larry Kelley |
Georgetown, DE |
North American B-25J |
N9079Z |
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L-19 |
Kenny Searle |
Big Fork, MT |
Cessna L-19 Bird Dog |
N305KS |
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Primary Trainer |
Doug & Jordan Jafee |
Horseshoe Bay, TX |
Boeing PT-17 Stearman |
N5540N |
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L-Bird |
James White |
Madiera Beach, FL |
Piper L-4B Grasshopper |
N55754 |
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Best |
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Helicopter |
Walter Garlock |
Walter Garlock |
Oconomowoc, WI |
Hughes TH-55A Osage |
N49WG |
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Primary Trainer |
Michael Porter |
Michael Porter |
East Liverpool, OH |
Boeing PT-17 |
N59293 |
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Returning Best of Class |
Robert Stoney |
Mercer Island, WA |
Cessna O-1E Bird Dog |
N4848M |
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L-19/O-1A |
Randy Maiville, Jim’s Aviation |
Randy Maiville |
Onondaga, MI |
Cessna O-1A Bird Dog |
N16886 |
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L-5 |
Matthew Anderson |
Matthew Anderson |
Sherwood, AR |
Stinson L-5 Sentinel |
N5142B |
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Jet |
MinhJet |
Ed Noel |
Houston, TX |
Aero Vodochody L-39C |
N139EN |
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Liaison |
Scott Johnson |
Scott Johnson |
Oshkosh, WI |
Aeronca O-58B Defender |
N48053 |
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Fighter |
Charles Osborn, Vintage Fighters |
Air Legends Foundation |
San Antonio, TX |
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair |
N29VF |
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Special |
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Keep 'em Flying Award |
Aircorps Aviation |
Warren Pietsch |
Minot, ND |
North American P-51C |
N5528N |
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Keep 'em Flying Award |
Kenny Searle, Motivation LLC |
Kenny Searle |
Big Fork, MT |
Cessna L-19 Bird Dog |
N51BD |
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Keep 'em Flying Award |
Blackwell Aviation Inc. |
Todd Eby |
Goshen, IN |
Beech T-34B |
N245Z |
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Phoenix Award |
Aircorps Aviation |
Bruce Eames |
Houston, TX |
Republic P-47D-23 |
N4747D |
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Grand |
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Reserve Grand Champion: World War II |
MD Aero Inc. |
Fagen Fighters |
Granite Falls, MN |
Stinson L-5B |
N2470 |
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Grand Champion: World War II |
Aircorps Aviation |
Bruce Eames |
Houston, TX |
Republic P-47D-23 |
N4747D |
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Vintage |
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Award |
Name |
Location |
Aircraft |
Registration |
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Antique (Through August 1945) |
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World War II Military Trainer/Liaison Aircraft Runner-Up |
James Hammond |
Yellow Springs, OH |
Fairchild PT-19 |
N49795 |
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Transport Category Runner-Up |
Andrew Kiest |
Pittsburg, TX |
Lockheed Lodestar |
N1940S |
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Customized Aircraft Runner-Up |
Donald Duck |
Edwardsburg, MI |
Piper J-3 C-65 |
N26053 |
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World War II Era Outstanding Closed-Cockpit Monoplane |
Steve Ambrosich |
Fallston, MD |
Taylorcraft L2M |
N47283 |
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World War II Era Runner-Up |
Jody Jones |
Stilwell, OK |
Stinson SR-8 |
N69993 |
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Bronze Age Outstanding Closed-Cockpit Monoplane |
Aubrey Clark |
Morganton, NC |
Piper J-3 |
NC23438 |
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Bronze Age Outstanding Closed-Cockpit Biplane |
David Satina |
Norton, OH |
Waco ZGC-8 |
NC19360 |
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Bronze Age Outstanding Open-Cockpit Biplane |
David Day |
Sedan, KS |
Stearman PT-17 |
N52573 |
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Bronze Age Runner-Up |
Donald Wade |
Helena, AL |
Piper J-3F-50 |
N22986 |
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Silver Age Outstanding Closed-Cockpit Monoplane |
Paul Isakson |
Amery, WI |
Taylorcraft J-2 |
NC17253 |
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Silver Age Outstanding Open-Cockpit Biplane |
Warren Caldwell |
Oklahoma City, OK |
Waco UBF-2 |
NC13444 |
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Silver Age Runner-Up |
Paul Krella |
Poplar Grove, IL |
Waco UBF-3 |
NC12430 |
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World War II Military Trainer/Liaison Aircraft Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Robert Swint |
Geneseo, IL |
Boeing A75N1 |
N63806 |
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Transport Category Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Ted Davis |
Brodhead, WI |
New Standard |
N9193 |
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Customized Aircraft Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Warren Caldwell |
Oklahoma City, OK |
Waco UMF-3 |
NC13571 |
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World War II Era (1942-1945) Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Scott Rozzell |
Houston, TX |
Fairchild 24W |
N66143 |
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Bronze Age (1937-1941) Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Scott Taylor |
Belvidere, IL |
Waco UPF-7 |
N32053 |
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Silver Age (1928-1936) Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Stephen Taylor |
Bellevue, WA |
Taylorcraft E-2 |
NC15356 |
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Golden Age (1918-1927) Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Andrew King |
Vienna, VA |
Waco 9 |
N2668 |
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Antique Reserve Grand Champion - Silver Lindy |
Benjamin Redman |
Faribault, MN |
Stinson SR9-FM |
N18424 |
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Antique Grand Champion - Gold Lindy |
Roger James |
New Carlisle, OH |
Waco YKC |
NC14139 |
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Classic (September 1945-1955) |
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Outstanding Aeronca Champ |
Philip Preston |
St. Pete Beach, FL |
Aeronca 7AC |
N81986 |
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Outstanding Cessna 120/140 |
Stephanie Triesenberg |
East Grand Rapids, MI |
Cessna 140 |
N9477A |
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Outstanding Cessna 170 |
Colin Butterfield |
Wellesley, MA |
Cessna 170 |
N4112V |
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Outstanding Cessna 190/195 |
David Pfister |
El Paso, IL |
Cessna 195 |
N127GM |
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Outstanding Luscombe |
Scott Mistysyn |
Pottsville, PA |
Luscombe 8A |
N2340K |
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Outstanding Piper Other |
David Tulis |
Frederick, MD |
Piper PA-22 |
N3328A |
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Outstanding Stinson |
Gary Shenk |
Lititz, PA |
Stinson 108 |
N108RD |
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Outstanding Limited Production |
Rex Ott |
Burlington, IA |
Morrisey 2000C |
N58789 |
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Preservation |
Shane Orr |
Hendersonville, TN |
Cessna 140 |
N4062N |
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Custom Class A (0-85 hp) |
Tuggin Long |
Smithville, MO |
Aeronca 7DC |
N4529E |
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Custom Class B (86-150 hp) |
Hayden Newhouse |
Fredericksburg, TX |
Piper PA-18 |
N1368A |
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Custom Class C (151-235 hp) |
Michael Marco |
Atlantic Beach, FL |
Cessna 170 |
N170DM |
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Custom Class D (236 hp and up) |
Stephen Howard |
Augusta, GA |
Beech C35 |
N1904 |
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Best Customized Runner-Up |
Thomas Swigart |
Toledo, OH |
Piper PA-18 |
N419AK |
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Class I (0-85 hp) - Bronze Lindy |
Karl Rauch |
Fredericksburg, VA |
Commonwealth Skyranger 185 |
NC92833 |
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Class II (86-150 hp) - Bronze Lindy |
Ken Morris |
Poplar Grove, IL |
Cessna 140A |
N5669C |
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Class III (151-235 hp) - Bronze Lindy |
Tony Boren |
Pelican Bay, TX |
Piper PA-18 |
N113SC |
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Champion Customized Classic - Bronze Lindy |
Jared Storm |
David City, NE |
Piper PA-18 |
N1894A |
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Reserve Grand Champion - Silver Lindy |
Harold Holmberg |
Stillwater, MN |
Bellanca 14-13 |
NC86719 |
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Grand Champion - Gold Lindy |
Dillon & Mike Barron |
Perry, MO |
Cessna 195 |
N4312N |
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Contemporary (1956-1970) |
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Outstanding Beech Single-Engine |
William Stengl |
Minocqua, WI |
Beech C33-A |
N334WS |
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Outstanding Beech Multi-Engine |
Martin Gomez |
Redwood City, CA |
Beech D50 |
N1421G |
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Outstanding Cessna 150 |
Mike George |
Springfield, IL |
Cessna 150 |
N1058M |
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Outstanding Cessna 170/172/175/177 |
Joel Dopson |
Ooltewah, TN |
Cessna 172 |
N2172 |
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Outstanding Cessna 180/182/185/210 |
Sarah Aciego |
Bridgeport, TX |
Cessna 180 |
N145JK |
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Outstanding Champion |
Zachary Quamme |
Peachtree City, GA |
Aeronca 7FC |
N9899B |
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Outstanding Mooney |
Richard Brown |
Anaheim, CA |
Mooney M20 |
N1015E |
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Outstanding Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer |
Mark Holton |
Lebanon, MO |
Piper PA-22 |
N3320Z |
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Outstanding Piper PA-24 Comanche |
Robert Spicuzza |
Waterford, MI |
Piper PA-24 |
N5091P |
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Outstanding Piper PA-32 Cherokee |
Steven Settlemyre |
Kennett Square, PA |
Piper PA-32 |
N3629W |
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Outstanding Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche |
Dan Bergeron |
Dickinson, TX |
Piper PA-30 |
N67TX |
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Outstanding Limited Production |
Audrey Hart |
Lookout Mountain, GA |
Aero Commander 500S |
N799CE |
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Best Continuously Maintained |
Aaron Robson |
Fairview, PA |
Cessna 175 |
N8236T |
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Preservation Award |
Victor Sobrado |
Norman, OK |
Cessna 182A |
N4948D |
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Class III Single-Engine (231 hp and up) - Bronze Lindy |
James McMaster II |
Bath, PA |
Piper PA-32-260 |
N3359W |
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Outstanding Customized - Bronze Lindy |
Kevin Usselman |
Coquitlam, BC, Canada |
Cessna 172 |
CFXDQ |
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Reserve Grand Champion Customized - Silver Lindy |
Michael Haney |
Tehachapi, CA |
Cessna 182 |
N8352S |
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Grand Champion Customized - Gold Lindy |
Adrian Eichhorn |
McLean, VA |
Beech 35 |
N1733G |
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Grand Champion - Gold Lindy |
James Harker |
Forest Lake, MN |
Cessna 172 |
N8357B |
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Rotocraft |
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Award |
Name |
Location |
Aircraft |
Registration |
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Helicopter Class |
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Gold |
Vic Syracuse |
Locust Grove, GA |
Hummingbird |
N300VC |
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Silver |
Charles "Chuck" Franklin |
Athens, AL |
Mosquito |
N324CL |
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Gyrocopter Class |
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Gold |
Tom Delaney |
Weldon Spring, MO |
ELA Eclipse EVO |
N969CM |
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Silver |
Loren D. Jones |
Prior Lake, MN |
Gyro Technic VX-2 |
N557LJ |
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Bronze |
Paul Minear |
Ramsey, MN |
Gyro Technic VX-2 |
N582GT |
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Ultralights |
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Award |
Name |
Location |
Aircraft |
Registration |
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Light-Sport Aircraft |
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Reserve Grand Champion |
Joe Ruscito |
Boise, ID |
Kitfox S7 Super Sport Amphib |
N1121E |
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Honorable Mention |
Steve Henry |
Nampa, ID |
Just Highlander |
N864SC |
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E-LSA Excellence in Craftsmanship |
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Honorable Mention |
John Meyers |
Pickerington, OH |
Van's RV-12 |
N683JT |
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Ultralight |
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Honorable Mention |
Malcom Brubaker |
Midland, MI |
Weedhopper |
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Seaplanes |
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Award |
Name |
Location |
Aircraft |
Registration |
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Grand Champion - Gold Lindy |
Mark Baker |
Summerland Key, FL |
Cessna Caravan |
N208JK |
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Reserve Grand Champion - Silver Lindy |
Richard Balaz |
Milton, ON, Canada |
Turbo Beaver |
C-FRBB |
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Champion - Bronze Lindy |
Samaritan Aviation |
Mesa, AZ |
Cessna 206 |
N206PT |
|
Outstanding Metal Floatplane |
David Powell |
Cobourg, ON, Canada |
Thurston Teal |
C-FLAK |
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Outstanding Fabric Floatplane |
Keith Dike |
Owensville, IN |
Maule |
N3187H |
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Outstanding Amphibian |
Peter Kropf |
Sound, ON, Canada |
Silver Eagle 271 |
C-GVZK |
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Outstanding Experimental Homebuilt |
Dan Johnson |
Wonder Lake, IL |
BushCat |
N173ER |
