EAA Honors Five Aviators with Halls of Fame Induction on Nov. 8

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 9, 2018) — The Experimental Aircraft Association recognized the contributions made to the world of flight by five people as they were inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame on November 8 during a ceremony at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The five inductees represent a spectrum of aviation within the EAA community and have achieved notable successes within their particular realm of flight:

·         EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame: Darryl Murphy of Chilliwack, British Columbia

·         International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame: Thomas Adams Jr. of Brenham, Texas

·         Warbirds of America Hall of Fame: Jack Roush of Livonia, Michigan

·         EAA Ultralights Hall of Fame: Eugene Smith (posthumous)

·         Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame: Ron Alexander (posthumous)

The EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame were established to honor the outstanding achievements of men and women in aviation who share the spirit of EAA and its community. Those inducted into the halls of fame are selected by their peers for myriad contributions made to their respective areas of aviation.

In addition, Ken Kellner of Neenah, Wisconsin, will receive the Henry Kimberly Spirit of Leadership Award for his efforts on behalf of EAA and the local community. Kellner has flown as a volunteer pilot at EAA’s Pioneer Airport for 20 years and has flown more than 2,600 young people as part of the EAA Young Eagles program.

HOMEBUILDERS HALL OF FAME

Darryl Murphy (EAA 293368): Murphy got his start in the late 1970s by designing and building a rigid-wing hang glider, a rarity at that time. His first powered aircraft design, a single-seat biplane, first flew in 1984. Using innovative construction techniques, he upgraded his designs and founded Murphy Aircraft in 1985. His subsequent designs included such notable aircraft as the Renegade biplane series, the all-aluminum Rebel, the Maverick, the Elite, and the sturdy Moose bushplane.

Along with the aircraft designs, Murphy aircraft were the first to use the venerable Rotax 914 engine, and Murphy also designed a series of amphibious floats as well as wheels and brakes.

VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

Ron Alexander (EAA 137890 - posthumous): Alexander began restoring antique aircraft in the mid-1970s. He quickly branched out, as his Alexander Aeroplane Company became a major supplier of materials for both aircraft restorers and builders. In 1993, Alexander created a series of hands-on workshops where people could experience and learn the necessary skills to build and restore aircraft, which eventually became the EAA SportAir Workshop series, which each year welcomes thousands of aviation enthusiasts at sites nationwide.

Before his death in November 2016, Alexander led the development of the Peach State Aerodrome and Candler Field Museum in Williamson, Georgia. This facility preserves history by recreating the old Atlanta airport as it existed in the 1920s and 1930s, and has extensive youth programming to inspire young people in aviation. 

INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB HALL OF FAME

Tom Adams (EAA 77537): Adams has excelled in competition aerobatics flying, judging, and instructing. His aerobatic career began with a self-built Pitts S-1C in regional IAC contests. He has earned multiple competition awards, and is highly regarded as a judge after serving in that role for more than 200 contests. Adams also served on the IAC board of directors for more than 28 years and continues to serve as a judge at the annual U.S. National Aerobatic Championships.

Adams retired as a captain on the 747-400 after logging time in more than 100 different aircraft types.

ULTRALIGHTS HALL OF FAME

Eugene Smith (EAA 105537 - posthumous): Smith, a Missouri native, earned a mechanical engineering degree and eventually started a flight training and crop-dusting operation while also owning a farm in Missouri. His gift and passion for mechanical design and innovation led him in 1998 to start Valley Engineering with his son, Larry. That company designed the popular Back Yard Flyer ultralight.

Smith also created more than 20 other aircraft. In 2001, he acquired Culver Props, and his two businesses have long supplied the ultralight and light-sport aircraft communities with complete aircraft, as well as components such as reduction drive systems, engines, and propellers. He died in December 2016.

WARBIRDS OF AMERICA HALL OF FAME

Jack Roush (EAA 478254): Best known as a championship NASCAR team owner, Roush has made major contributions to the preservation of warbirds everywhere. His passion began with restoring his own P-51 Mustang that led to the creation of Roush Aviation, an FAA Certificated Repair Station that specializes in restoring Warbird Merlin engines while introducing new technology.

He is perhaps best known for the restorations of the P-51 Mustangs named Old Crow in honor of World War II triple ace Clarence “Bud” Anderson.

ALL-TIME LIST OF INDUCTEES – EAA HALLS OF FAME

HOMEBUILDERS

1993: Paul Poberezny, S.J. “Steve” Wittman, George Bogardus

1994: Bernie Pietenpol, Bob Burbick, Ray Stits

1995: Tony Bingelis, Molt Taylor, John Thorp

1996: Sam Burgess, Nick D’Apuzzo, Ed Heath, Volmer Jensen

1997: Ladislao Pazmany, William Ghan, Harold Best-Devereux

1998: Curtis Pitts, Burt Rutan, Bill Warwick

1999: Henri Mignet, Richard Van Grunsven, Chris Heintz

2000: Jean Delemontez, Leslie Long

2001: John Monnett

2002: Jack Cox, Ken Brock

2003: William Chana

2004: Bob Whittier, Pete Bowers

2005: Robert Bushby

2006: Edgar Lesher, B.J. Schramm

2007: Randy Schlitter

2008: John W. Dyke

2009: Lance A. Neibauer

2010: Dean Wilson

2011: Ed Fisher

2012: Wes Schmid

2013: Phillip J. Lockwood

2014: George Pereira

2015: Tom Hamilton

2016: Jim Bede

2017: Rob Hickman

2018: Darryl Murphy

INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB

1987: Jose Luis Aresti, Duane Cole, Curtis Pitts, Frank Price

1988: Marion Cole, Mike Murphy, Betty Skelton

1989: Robert L. Heuer, Beverly Howard, Harold Krier

1990: Lincoln Beachey, Bob Herendeen, Charlie Hillard, Art Scholl

1991: Leo Loudenslager, Mary Gaffaney

1993: Neil Williams, Clint McHenry

1998: Bill Barber, Rodney Jocelyn, Tex Rankin, Harold Neumann, Tom Poberezny

1999: Henry Haigh

2000: Gene Beggs

2001: Mike Heuer

2002: Bill Thomas, Bob Davis

2003: Don Taylor

2004: Betty Stewart, Dorothy Hester

2005: Patty Wagstaff

2006: Gene Soucy

2007: Debby Rihn-Harvey, Bill Kershner

2008: William B. “Bill” Finagin

2009: Robert A. “Bob” Hoover

2010: Jimmy Franklin

2011: Tony LeVier

2012: Giles Henderson

2013: William Joseph “Bill” Adams

2014: Sammy Mason

2015: Sean D. Tucker

2016: Robert Armstrong

2017: Frank Christensen

2018: Thomas Adams Jr.

VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION

1993: E.E. “Buck” Hilbert, George York

1995: Cole Palen, Kelly Viets, Joe Juptner

1997: Paul Poberezny, Ann Pellegreno, Jim Younkin, Harold Armstrong

1999: Gene Chase, Edward C. Wegner, Tom Flock

2000: Jack Cox

2001: Dr. Roy Wicker, Ted Koston

2002: John M. Miller

2003: Al Kelch, Nick Rezich

2004: Espie “Butch” Joyce

2005: Richard Knutson, Charlie Nelson

2006: Charles W. Harris

2007: Chet Peek

2008: Bill Pancake

2009: Stephen Pitcairn

2010: Morton Lester

2011: John W. Underwood

2012: Clyde Smith Jr.

2013: Susan Dusenbury

2014: Timothy Talen

2015: Dale “Gus” Gustafson

2016: Phil Coulson

2017: Jim Moss

2018: Ron Alexander

WARBIRDS OF AMERICA

1995: Paul Poberezny, Walt Ohlrich, John Baugh, Bill Harrison, Jerry Walbrun

1996: Dick Dieter, Charlie Nogle

1997: Sue Parish, Rudy Frasca, Jeff Ethell

1998: John Ellis, Randy Sohn

1999: William Dodds, Richard Ervin

2000: Dave Schlingman

2001: Lincoln Dexter, Edward Maloney

2002: Frank C. Sanders

2003: Chuck Doyle, Lloyd Parker Nolen

2004: Howard Pardue

2005: Kermit Weeks, Steve Hinton

2006: Jack Harrington, Daryl Lenz

2007: Wilson “Connie” Edwards

2008: Connie Bowlin

2009: George H. Baker

2010: Harold D. “Hal” Weekley

2011: David B. Lindsay Jr.

2012: Preston (Pete) Parish

2013: Lee Lauderback

2014: Jay Wisler

2015: Nelson Ezell

2016: Doug Champlin

2017: Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson

2018: Jack Roush

ULTRALIGHTS

1999: Homer Kolb, John Moody, Chuck Slusarczyk

2000: Boris Popov, Wayne Ison

2001: Mike Sacrey

2002: John Chotia, Tom Peghiny

2003: Mike Jacober

2004: Klaus Hill, Bert Howland

2005: Larry Mauro

2006: Bob Lovejoy, Volmer Jensen

2007: Mike Markowski

2008: Mike Loehle

2009: Roy Pinner

2010: John Ballantyne

2011: Jack McCornack

2012: Taras Kiceniuk Jr.

2013: Frank Beagle

2014: Lowell Farrand

2015: Leonard Milholland

2016: Tracy Knauss

2017: Mary Jones

2018: Eugene Smith

About EAA

EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 219,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.