Awards
Named after aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, the Lindy Awards acknowledge the tireless effort necessary to create an aircraft that's truly the "best of the best." The Lindy is recognized worldwide as the ultimate recognition of aircraft craftsmanship.
Past Winners
1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023
Official EAA Judging Standards Manual
View complete manual that outlines the standards and criteria used for aircraft judging in all categories.
The following showplane categories are judged at AirVenture Oshkosh:
- Homebuilt Aircraft
- Vintage Aircraft
- Warbirds
- Ultralights/Light-Sport Aircraft
- Rotorcraft
- Seaplanes
Judging for aircraft awards closes at the following times:
- Warbirds: Registered for judging no later than 8:30 a.m. Thursday
- Rotorcraft: Noon, Thursday
- Vintage, Homebuilt, Ultralight/Light-Sport Aircraft and Seaplanes: Noon, Friday
If you are expecting to have your aircraft judged, please plan on giving the judges at least one full day in advance of the close of judging for the volunteer judges to view your aircraft. For example, if judging in your area ends at noon on Friday, having your aircraft on the airport and registered no later than Wednesday evening or first thing Thursday morning will give the judges adequate time to review it.
Homebuilt Judging FAQs
How do I have my homebuilt judged?
When registering your aircraft at Homebuilders Headquarters, indicate you want to be judged. They will provide you with a prop card and Judge Me sticker. The prop card with Judge Me sticker is key for getting judged. If judges cannot see the prop card, you will not get judged.
When does judging start and end?
Judging starts first thing Monday and ends at noon on Friday. A minimum of three judges are required to judge your aircraft to qualify for an award.
How many days does the aircraft need to be available?
If you think your aircraft could be in contention for a major award, it is best to allow the judges three days for judging. Each morning, the judges debrief on the previous day so that additional judges can evaluate the top aircraft. Typically, a Grand Champion will have been judged by 10 or more Homebuilt judges. The awards ceremony is on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Homebuilders Hangar.
My aircraft is only going to be at AirVenture for one day, can I still be judged?
Yes, it is possible but not recommended. Immediately register your aircraft at Homebuilders Headquarters. Next, walk over to the Homebuilt Judging building and alert one of the Homebuilt Judging chairmen to the issue. They can then arrange for the airplane to be judged that day.
How do I know if my aircraft has been judged?
Judges will sign the prop card after judging your aircraft. If after 24 hours of having the prop card on display you do not have any judges’ signatures, visit Homebuilders HQ to confirm your aircraft row and that you are on the list for judging.
Do I have to be at my aircraft when it is judged?
You don't have to be by your aircraft but it is helpful. Judges will not remove anything off the aircraft so if there is a canopy cover blocking their view, or engine cowling, it will reduce your score.
I bought a homebuilt built by someone else. Can I still enter it for judging?
Yes. However, you most likely will lose a few points. The owner is encouraged to document the building process and to bring that documentation, including photos, to EAA AirVenture for the benefit of the judges. Without such documentation, points may be deducted particularly in comparison with other aircraft with which there is conclusive documentation of the owner’s participation in the major part of the construction.
My aircraft is in an exhibitor’s booth. Can I be judged?
Yes, register your aircraft at Homebuilders Headquarters and tell the volunteer that the aircraft is located in an exhibit booth. Next, walk over to the Homebuilt Judging building and alert one of the Homebuilt Judging chairmen as to the exhibit booth location of the aircraft. Make sure the prop card with Judge Me sticker is on it, if it is not displayed the aircraft will not be judged.
My aircraft has a red dot on the prop card, what does this mean?
A red dot on the prop card indicates that our Awards volunteers have taken a photo of the aircraft. The Award volunteers try to take a photo of all judged aircraft.
Can I find out my judging score?
Scores are not released. If someone is serious about improving their aircraft, visit the judging building to the west of Forums Plaza and ask for feedback/detailed review. The Chief Homebuilt Judge will arrange for a visit to your aircraft to provide feedback on how to improve.
My aircraft was a previous award winner, can I still be judged?
As long as it was not a Grand Champion, then yes. It is only eligible for a higher honor. For example, if you previously won Reserve Grand Champion, your aircraft could only move up to Grand Champion.
When and where is the awards ceremony?
The Homebuilt awards ceremony is on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Homebuilders Hangar. If you are not present, we will ship the award.
