EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – (October 17, 2024) – Six individuals who contributed greatly to recreational aviation were honored on October 16, 2024, as they were inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame during a ceremony and dinner at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh.
The 2024 inductees include:
- EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame: Sebastien Heintz of Mexico, Missouri.
- International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame: Linda Meyers Morrissey of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
- Warbirds of America Hall of Fame: Frank Strickler of Ringgold, Texas.
- Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame: Dave and Jeanne Allen (posthumous).
- EAA Ultralights Hall of Fame: Dave Goulet (posthumous).
The EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame were established to honor the outstanding achievements of men and women in aviation who share the spirit of EAA and its community. Those inducted into the halls of fame are selected by their peers for myriad contributions made to their respective areas of aviation.
In addition, Colleen Lambrecht of Oshkosh received the Henry Kimberly Leadership Award that recognizes Oshkosh-area residents for volunteer service to EAA. Lambrecht is a longtime volunteer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (www.eaa.org).
HOMEBUILDERS HALL OF FAME
Sebastien Heintz (EAA 386637): Heintz is the owner and president of Zenith Aircraft Co., a leading kit aircraft manufacturer based in Mexico, Missouri. The son of famed light aircraft designer Chris Heintz – a 1999 Homebuilders Hall of Fame inductee – Sebastien continues in his father’s footsteps promoting sport and kit (homebuilt) aviation and helping to make aircraft ownership affordable and accessible. He was the 2017 recipient of EAA’s Freedom of Flight Award for his contributions to aviation and the recipient of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association’s 2017 President’s Award. Heintz remains an avid sport pilot and enjoys sharing photos and videos of his flying adventures.
VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME
Dave and Jeanne Allen (posthumous): The well-known husband and wife aircraft restoration team were each interested in aviation from an early age, growing up in the San Joaquin Valley in south-central California. The Allens were avid glider pilots, but their passion shifted to building and restoration in 1987, when they built a NuWaco Taperwing. From there, they worked together to restore a Schleicher ASK-13, a 1930 Waco ASO (which they flew in a re-creation of the 1932 National Air Tour), their signature 1934 Cabin Waco YKC, and a 1947 Piper PA-11 Cub Special. The Allens’ restorations won multiple awards at SUN ’n FUN; AAA in Blakesburg, Iowa; Reno; and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB HALL OF FAME
Linda Meyers Morrissey (EAA 147146): Meyers Morrissey is well known in the sport of competition aerobatics for her dedication and keen ability, as well as her generosity sharing knowledge as a sought-after coach. She has stood on the podium at World Aerobatic Championships (WAC) many times representing the United States. Meyers Morrissey won her first individual gold medal in August 1984, in Hungary. She won a fourth place at the World Aerobatic Masters Tournament in 1985 and a third-place female award at the 1994 World Championships, plus fifth overall as well as numerous individual flight medals. After winning places on eight consecutive U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Teams, Linda retired from world competition in 1996, but her passion for aerobatics continues as a trainer and coach.
WARBIRDS OF AMERICA HALL OF FAME
Frank Strickler (EAA 26649): Strickler’s love of aviation began at an early age, when his pediatrician bound a couple of tongue depressors together and told him it was an airplane. In the U.S. Air Force beginning in 1959, he flew C-130s, F-101s, and B-26s, before serving as an instructor in jets. From there, Strickler began flying for American Airlines and for the Air National Guard as an F-84 pilot. He bought a P-51 project, which led to the formation of his restoration and maintenance business, “Fox 51,” in 1974. Fox 51 has worked on everything from Bückers and Stearmans to T-6s, and, of course, P-51s. Strickler is rated on more than a dozen warbirds and has logged more than 28,000 flying hours. His advisory work with the FAA has helped countless warbird operators obtain airworthiness certificates smoothly and easily.
ULTRALIGHTS HALL OF FAME
Dave Goulet (posthumous): Goulet, who died in 2014, was an ultralight pilot and the manufacturer of the Quad City Challenger. He started in ultralights when he built a Mitchell Wing U-2 in his basement. During his time flying the Mitchell Wing, he met fellow ultralighter Chuck Hamilton and together they designed and built the first Challenger I to an overwhelmingly positive reaction. In 1983, Quad City Ultralight Corp was formed, with Goulet as general manager and eventually CEO and president. Over the course of four decades, Goulet and Quad City Ultralight sold thousands of Challenger single- and two-seat kits as they proved to be popular for fun flying and ultralight flight training alike. Goulet also developed and nurtured a loyal and supportive dealer network to support the fleet of Challengers.
