Special Honor to Respected Builder, Pilot, Instructor, Friend of Flight

Joe Gauthier of Cromwell (CT) has been selected by EAA to receive the 2003 Tony Bingelis Award, in recognition of his contributions to the homebuilt-aircraft community, during EAA AirVenture 2003 on July 29-August 4 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Gauthier, an active EAA Technical Counselor since 1977, is also certified as an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, an EAA Flight Advisor, and as a NAFI Master Flight Instructor. In addition, the FAA's Windsor Locks Manufacturing Inspection District Office recently selected him as an Amateur-Built Designated Airworthiness Representative (AB DAR) under the new AB DAR program.

As southern New England's leading flight advisor, Gauthier has made the maiden flights of more than 30 homebuilt aircraft. He speaks regularly at chapter meetings throughout the area, as well as forums during EAA AirVenture.

In 2002, Gauthier presented forums on record keeping for the amateur built aircraft and first flights. He will receive the award at the annual Homebuilder's Dinner on Thursday evening, July 31.

"Joe Gauthier embodies the legacy of Tony Bingelis in an outstanding manner," EAA President Tom Poberezny said. "He not only has dedicated himself to expanding his own knowledge of aviation, he has unselfishly shared his expertise to help others safely and successfully enjoy the world of flight. He is a most deserving recipient of the Bingelis Award."

The award was created last year to honor the late Tony Bingelis (right), a noted homebuilding authority and EAA Sport Aviation columnist [and a truly exceptional man by ANY measure... --Pub]. The award recognizes significant contributions to the encouragement of aircraft projects for fellow EAA members, the promotion of aviation safety and for maintaining the values of EAA. A nominee must have been an active and current EAA Technical Counselor for at least five consecutive years.

Gauthier, a former member of the United States Air Force, spent 33 years with Southern New England Telephone, and is now providing Tailwheel and Instrument flight instruction and leading two group aircraft construction projects. Gauthier has received many other awards, such as EAA Chapter 166's Outstanding Contribution to Sport Aviation in 1984; EAA's Major Achievement Award in 1987; EAA's President's Award in 1991; Chapter 166's Aircraft Completion Award in 1973, 1974, 1980 and 1995; Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year (New England region) in 1999; and Certified Flight Instructor of the Year (New England region) in 2002.

Appointed to EAA's Homebuilt Aircraft Council in 2002, Gauthier has constructed two BD-4 homebuilts, a Davis DA-2A, a Lancair 235 and a Thorp T-18. He restored a 1946 taylorcraft and a 1948 Cessna 140, and assisted in numerous other homebuilt projects both in the mechanical and flight instruction areas.

FMI: www.eaa.org