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 how many arrive, 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 2025 award winners!
Homebuilts
| Award |
Company |
Name |
Location |
Plane |
N-Number |
| Kits |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Vicki Stringfellow |
Lexington, Kentucky |
Van's RV‑10 |
N278S |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Clay Adams |
Rosemount, Minnesota |
Piper PA‑12 Replica |
N360WC |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Tim Grassman |
Humble, Texas |
Van's RV-14A |
N5875G |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Dmitry Kudryn |
Wasilla, Alaska |
SQ-12 |
N401SQ |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Joe Lehrer |
Prior Lake, Minnesota |
Kitfox Series 7 |
N636TT |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Dan Ruehl |
Fort Myers, Florida |
Van's RV-14 |
N390DR |
| Kit Outstanding Workmanship |
|
Ryan Pfister |
Spring, Texas |
Glasair Sportsman 2+2 |
N613VC |
| Kit Champion |
|
Michael Karaszewski |
Pensacola, Florida |
Van's RV‑10 |
N917CM |
| Kit Champion |
|
Geoff Combs |
Winchester, Ohio |
RANS S-21 |
N829GC |
| Kit Champion |
|
Rob Holmes |
Walnut Creek, California |
Van's RV‑14 |
N159LG |
| Kit Champion |
|
Michael Nashner |
Pensacola, Florida |
Van's RV‑14 |
N117MN |
| Kit Champion |
|
Sean Tucker |
Charlotte, North Carolina |
Sling 4 TSi |
N141D |
| Kit Champion |
|
Patrick Mayworm |
McLean, Virginia |
Velocity XL RG5 |
N328PM |
| Kit Champion |
|
Brian Kelly |
Fayetteville, Georgia |
Van's RV-8 |
N82GV |
| Reserve Grand Champion Kitbuilt |
|
Scott Price |
Camas, Washington |
Van's RV‑8 |
N687SD |
| Grand Champion Kitbuilt |
|
Charles Hammes |
Bettendorf, Iowa |
Van's RV‑8 |
N208CH |
| Plans |
| Plans Outstanding Workmanship |
|
David Conrad |
Wausau, Wisconsin |
Wittman Legacy |
N454WL |
| Plans Champion |
|
Joel Timblin |
Boyceville, Wisconsin |
Corben Baby Ace |
N74CT |
| Reserve Grand Champion Plansbuilt |
|
Daniel Loegering |
Fargo, North Dakota |
Pietenpol Air Camper |
N899DL |
| Grand Champion Plansbuilt |
|
Mark Steward |
Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Pitts S‑1 |
N1876S |
| Paul Poberezny Founder's Award for Best Classic Homebuilt |
|
|
Alex Green |
Germantown, Tennessee |
Acro Sport II |
N976 |
Warbirds
| Award |
Wrench |
Company |
Name |
Location |
Plane |
N-Number |
| Preservation Awards |
| Preservation Award |
|
|
Peter Bales |
Janesville, Wisconsin |
Hughes OH‑6A Loach |
N67PB |
| Preservation Award |
|
|
Frank D. Smith |
Lone Tree, Colorado |
T-28C Trojan |
N140AG |
| Preservation Award |
|
|
Barry Hammerback and Dave Schmitz |
River Falls, Wisconsin |
Bell UH-1H Huey |
N14SD |
| Preservation Award |
|
|
John Carlton |
Lenoir, North Carolina |
Cessna L-19A Birddog |
N143F |
| Preservation/Perseverance Award |
|
|
Bill Finney |
Muncie, Indiana |
Cessna L-19 Birddog |
N5190G |
| Judges' Choice |
| Active Military Attack |
|
104th Fighter Squadron |
|
Middle River, Maryland |
Fairchild Republic A‑10C Warthog |
78‑0626 |
| Active Military Reconnaissance |
|
1st Reconnaissance Squadron |
|
Beale AFB, California |
Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady |
80-1076 |
| Flying Museum |
|
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation |
|
Farmingdale, New Jersey |
Douglas C-54D Skymaster |
N500EJ |
| Utility |
|
|
Dan Fulwiler |
Green Bay, Wisconsin |
Dornier Do 28A |
N12828 |
| Jet |
|
|
Scoop Heavey |
Barrington, Illinois |
MiG-17F |
N717MG |
| Cool Canopy Cover |
|
Elliott Warbirds LLC |
|
Grand Coteau, Louisiana |
North American SNJ-5 |
N590WW |
| Best |
| Best T‑28 |
Silver Wrench: Pride Aircraft |
|
Courtney St. Pierre |
Clinton, North Carolina |
North American T‑28B Trojan |
N662WW |
| Best Primary Trainer |
Silver Wrench: Mike Kelly |
|
Jim and Jean Busha |
Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
Fairchild PT-19B |
N48488 |
| Best L-19 |
Silver Wrench: Mitch Leland |
|
Joe Sottile |
Chandler, Arizona |
Cessna L-19 Birddog |
N19BD |
| Best Jet |
Silver Wrench: Ike Burchinal |
Military Aviation Museum |
|
Virginia Beach, Virginia |
Legend Flyers/Messerschmitt 262 |
N262MF |
| Best Wildcat |
Silver Wrench: Pacific Fighters |
|
John T. Baugh |
Lebanon, Tennessee |
FM-2 Wildcat |
N29FG |
| Best Navy Fighter |
SSilver Wrench: Ezell Aviation |
Air Legends Foundation |
|
San Antonio, Texas |
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat |
N467RL |
| Best Helicopter |
Silver Wrench: Eric Johansen |
|
Mike Anderson |
Muskogee, Oklahoma |
Hiller UH-12B |
N5025J |
| Best T‑34 |
Silver Wrench: Jonathan Haynes |
|
Jonathan Haynes |
Billings, Montana |
Beechcraft T-34A Mentor |
N922PJ |
| Best HU-16 |
Silver Wrench: James Tuthill |
|
Harold Ebenroth |
Burr Ridge, Illinois |
Grumman HU-16 |
N3HU |
| Keep 'em Flying Award |
Silver Wrench: Blackwell Aviation |
|
David Rothenanger |
Talladega, Alabama |
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor |
N134DR |
| Dirty Bird |
|
|
Greg Shelton |
Collinsville, Oklahoma |
FM-2 Wildcat |
N3HU |
| Returning Best of Class |
|
|
Frank D. Smith |
Lone Tree, Colorado |
North American T-28C Trojan |
N140AG |
| Best Active Military Aircraft |
|
115th Fighter Wing |
|
Madison, Wisconsin |
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II |
22-5725 |
| Phoenix Award |
Gold Wrench: Ezell Aviation |
Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum |
|
Everett, Washington |
Lockheed P‑38J Lightning |
N988J |
| Post World War II |
| Grand Champion |
Gold Wrench: Fighter Rebuilders & Aerometal Intl. |
Air Legends Foundation |
|
San Antonio, Texas |
Lockheed C‑121A Constellation |
N422NA |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
Gold Wrench: Midwest Aero Restorations |
|
Steuart Walton |
Bentonville, Arkansas |
North American P-51D Mustang |
N151JT |
| World War II |
| Grand Champion |
Gold Wrench: Ezell Aviation |
Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum |
|
Everett, Washington |
Lockheed P‑38J Lightning |
N988J |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
Gold Wrench: Midwest Aero Restorations |
|
Mark and Missy Timken |
Gainesville, Florida |
North American P-51D Mustang |
NL551WR |
Rotorcraft
| Award |
Company |
Name |
Location |
Plane |
N‑Number |
| Helicopter |
| Grand Champion |
|
Brad Champlin |
Palmyra, New York |
RotorWay 162F |
N1995R |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
|
Charles Van Thomme |
Lexington, Michigan |
Cicaré 8 |
N201VT |
| Gyroplane |
| Grand Champion |
|
Denis Schoemaker |
Kasota, Minnesota |
Gyro Technic GT‑VX1 |
N194GT |
| Rotorcraft Outstanding Workmanship |
|
|
Jeff Krall |
Mitchell, South Dakota |
Safari 400 |
N770JK |
Ultralights
| Award |
Company |
Name |
Location |
Plane |
N‑Number |
| Lightplane |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
|
Ed Lewis |
Elizabethton, Tennessee |
Just Highlander SuperSTOL |
N344SF |
| Honorable Mention |
|
Casey Cooper |
Marana, Arizona |
Sonex Legacy |
N7777X |
| Ultralight |
| Honorable Mention |
|
Donald Coonley |
Knoxville, Tennessee |
Concept Prowler |
|
Seaplanes
| Award |
Company |
Name |
Location |
Plane |
N‑Number |
|
| Grand Champion |
|
Matt Johnson |
Bigfork, Montana |
Seawind 3000 |
N695MD |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
|
Brian Van Wagner |
Jackson, Michigan |
Grumman Widgeon G44 |
N7491 |
| Champion |
|
Rob Haglund |
Crosslake, Minnesota |
Cessna 185 |
N4220Q |
| Judges' Choice - Most Innovative |
Twin Peaks Holdings |
Ken Barney |
Midvale, Utah |
Seawind 3000 Turbine |
N71RJ |
| Outstanding Metal Floatplane |
|
Dan LaRocque |
Anchorage, Alaska |
Cessna 185 |
N627DJ |
| Outstanding Fabric Floatplane |
|
Ty Ferkin |
Caldwell, Idaho |
Kitfox 4 |
N90TY |
| Outstanding Amphibian |
|
Ean Voigt |
Park Rapids, Minnesota |
Cessna 206 |
N1450M |
Vintage
| Award |
Company |
Name |
Location |
Plane |
N‑Number |
| Antique |
| Antique Continuously Maintained |
|
John Cyrier |
Lockhart, Texas |
Cessna T-50 Bobcat |
N69072 |
| Customized Aircraft |
|
Jared Calvert |
Ranger, Texas |
Fairchild KR-21 |
N235V |
| World War II Era Outstanding Open-Cockpit Biplane |
|
Cecil Bradford |
Huntersville, North Carolina |
Meyers OTW |
N34330 |
| World War II Era Runner-Up |
|
Evan Devine |
Carmel, Indiana |
Piper J-3C-65 |
N30168 |
| Bronze Age Runner-Up |
|
Dave Satina |
Seville, Ohio |
Waco ZGC-8 |
N19360 |
| Silver Age Outstanding Open-Cockpit Biplane |
|
David Mars |
Jackson, Mississippi |
Travel Air 4000 |
N5424 |
| Silver Age Runner-Up |
|
Brian Aukes |
Huxley, Iowa |
Stearman 4-E |
N785H |
| World War II Military Trainer/Liaison Aircraft Champion |
|
Bill Charney |
Sai Kung, Hong Kong |
Beech D17S |
N16S |
| Transport Category Champion |
|
Charles Walker |
Bowling Green, Kentucky |
Curtiss C-1 Robin |
N395K |
| Customized Aircraft Champion |
|
Michael Allen |
Graham, North Carolina |
Waco YKS-7 |
NC17464 |
| World War II Era Champion |
|
Adrian Eichhorn |
McLean, Virginia |
Fairchild PT-19 |
N363AE |
| Bronze Age Champion |
|
Ryan Sherwood |
Granger, Indiana |
Waco UPF-7 |
N32021 |
| Silver Age Champion |
|
Warren Caldwell |
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
Travel Air B-14R |
NC12311 |
| Antique Reserve Grand Champion |
|
Walter Bowe |
Sonoma, California |
Waco CJC |
N14013 |
| Antique Grand Champion |
|
Walter Bowe |
Sonoma, California |
Travel Air 4000 |
N4264 |
| Classic (September 1945-1955) |
| Outstanding Aeronca Champ |
|
Matt Hall |
Saline, Michigan |
Aeronca 7AC |
N84769 |
| Outstanding Cessna 120/140 |
|
Lorraine Morris |
Poplar Grove, Illinois |
Cessna 140 |
N9481A |
| Outstanding Cessna 170 |
|
Andrew Diamond |
Lake Bluff, Illinois |
Cessna 170A |
N5520C |
| Outstanding Cessna 180 |
|
Taylor De Ley |
Yorba Linda, California |
Cessna 180 |
N4558B |
| Outstanding Ercoupe |
|
Christopher Longfellow |
St. Louis Park, Minnesota |
Ercoupe 415 |
N2594H |
| Outstanding Luscombe |
|
Ryan Wilkey |
St. Louis, Missouri |
Luscombe 8F |
N840B |
| Outstanding Stinson |
|
Keith Hugo |
West Point, Nebraska |
Stinson 108-1 |
N9196K |
| Preservation |
|
Michael Pratt |
Louisville, Kentucky |
Cessna 195A |
N1001D |
| Custom Class A (0-85 hp) |
|
Alexander Vickroy |
Ashland, Wisconsin |
Taylorcraft BC-12D |
N95132 |
| Custom Class C (151-235 hp) |
|
Gary Moore |
Littleton, Colorado |
Globe GC-1B |
N80775 |
| Custom Class D (236 hp and up) |
|
Jason Woodside |
Warrenton, Virginia |
Navion B |
N5277K |
| Best Customized Runner-Up |
|
Lindy Perry |
Cumming, Georgia |
Piper PA-18-135 |
N54LP |
| Class I (0-85 hp) |
|
Alan Cuthbert |
Edwardsburg, Michigan |
Ercoupe 415-C |
N93803 |
| Class II (86-150 hp) |
|
Tibor Farkas |
Manor, Texas |
Cessna 170A |
N9277A |
| Class III (151-235 hp) |
|
Stacy Lutes |
Mooresville, North Carolina |
Cessna 180 |
N3259D |
| Champion Customized Classic |
|
Monte Houk |
Tulalip Bay, Washington |
Cessna 180 |
N180MH |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
|
Tyson Teeter |
Hesston, Kansas |
Stinson 108-3 |
N701C |
| Grand Champion |
|
Joe Kloke |
Dodgeville, Wisconsin |
Piper PA-17 |
NC4154H |
| Contemporary (1956-1970) |
| Outstanding Beech Single-Engine |
|
Eric Miguez |
McKinney, Texas |
Beech H35 |
N7921D |
| Outstanding Beech Multi-Engine |
|
Robert Rendzio |
Dothan, Alabama |
Beech 95 |
N343B |
| Outstanding Cessna 170/172/175/177 |
|
Timothy Lowe |
Lexington, Ohio |
Cessna 177 |
N342JB |
| Outstanding Cessna 180/182/185/210 |
|
Michael Trost |
Fishers, Indiana |
Cessna 182B |
N77XD |
| Outstanding Mooney |
|
Kevin Stubbs |
Worthington, Ohio |
Mooney M20C |
N9477V |
| Outstanding Piper PA-18 Super Cub |
|
Stephen Allen |
Fredericksburg, Texas |
Piper PA-18-150 |
N7581D |
| Outstanding Piper PA-24 Comanche |
|
Randall Greene |
Wendell, North Carolina |
Comanche 260 |
N2904P |
| Outstanding Limited Production |
|
Seher Basak |
San Diego, California |
Navion Rangemaster G |
N2458T |
| Best Continuously Maintained |
|
Johnny Murphy |
Baltimore, Maryland |
Piper PA-24-260 Comanche |
N8722P |
| Preservation Award |
|
Dennis Ozment |
Palmyra, Missouri |
Cessna 172 |
N5000A |
| Class I Single-Engine (0-160 hp) |
|
Dan Maggart |
Winchester, Illinois |
Cessna 150K |
N5877G |
| Class II Single-Engine (161-230 hp) |
|
Adam Yeagle |
North Platte, Nebraska |
Piper PA-28-180 |
N7603W |
| Class III Single-Engine (231 hp and up) |
|
Mark and Justine Bigler |
Topeka, Kansas |
Cessna 182 |
N2232G |
| Outstanding Customized |
|
Arcus Aero |
Bridgeport, Texas |
de Havilland DHC-2 |
N57XL |
| Outstanding Multi-Engine |
|
Rick Eyles |
Galloway, Ohio |
Piper PA-30 |
N269Y |
| Reserve Grand Champion Customized |
|
James Gallagher |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
Beech Bonanza M35 |
N11GG |
| Reserve Grand Champion |
|
Christopher Belli |
Oregon, Ohio |
Cessna 172 |
N8762U |
| Grand Champion Customized |
|
Blair Arne |
Carpenter, South Dakota |
Piper PA-18-150 |
N9119D |
| Grand Champion |
|
Russ Roberts |
Salem, Oregon |
Luscombe 8F |
N9900C |
