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‑10 |
N917CM |
| Kit Champion |
|
Sean Tucker |
Charlotte, North Carolina |
Sling 4 |
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 |
| Lightplane |
| Grand Champion |
|
Matt Johnson |
Bigfoot, 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 (Through August 1945) |
| 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 | | Douglas Cartledge | 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 | | Tracey Hawley | 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 Bigler | Topeka, Kansas | Cessna 182 | N2232G |
| Outstanding Customized | | Sarah Aciego | 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 |
