Behind the Scenes of the Airshow’s “Lindy” Awards

Since 1954, EAA’s Oshkosh Airventure has hosted the “Lindy” Awards. Airventure is the biggest, most widely attended airshow on the planet, so the winners are considered to be some of the best in the world.

The ceremony is named after Charles Lindbergh, who was an American aviator from the early 1900s. In 1927, he became the first pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. Former President Calvin Coolidge presented Lindbergh with a Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his impressive achievements, and the EAA continues his legacy through the Lindy Awards.

Over 10,000 aircraft of all sizes, shapes, and forms attend Airventure, so the competition has been split into six categories: homebuilt, vintage, warbirds, ultralight/light-sport, rotorcraft, and seaplanes. From there, the pool is further split to accommodate every type of aircraft within a given category. The judging system for each group varies, but in general, it includes safety, appearance, fuselage, cockpit, engine, landing gear, and wings/tail.

The judge selection process has several restrictions to ensure fair and credible judging. To apply, one must be an EAA member in good standing and have knowledge or a background in construction, workmanship, and safety in aviation. This can be shown through possession of an A&P or AI license or general proof of past aircraft construction or restoration experience.

Not every plane at Airventure is judged; aircraft owners must choose to participate. On the Airventure registration form, the aircraft owner indicates whether or not they wish to be judged. If they opt into judging, they will receive a “Please Judge Me” sticker to be attached to the propellor card. The judges will initial on the sticker after a given aircraft has been judged.

“I don’t think many people know that they can get their aircraft judged,” comments Alaina Lewis, the owner of Culver Propellers and a part of this year’s Ultralight judging panel, “I’d like to see more people that are willing to put their plane out there, and be a part of this experience. People are reluctant to have their planes judged, but we don’t pick it apart. We love looking at all airplanes.”

The 2024 Oshkosh Airventure judging process began early in the week, and culminated in an award on Saturday night. Some eye catching winners include the"Judges' Choice Most Innovative" for seaplanes, going to Harbour Air Ltd.'s e-Beaver; "Paul Poberezny Founder's Award for Best Classic Homebuilt to Jacob Wyatt's Thorp T-18; and the Grand Champion Kitbuilt Gold Lindy to Thomas McNerney's Lancair Legacy.

FMI: www.eaa.org