Homebuilders from across the country gathered at the Nature Center Pavilion on Thursday evening to honor their own. While rain hammered the roof of the open-sided pavilion during the meal, it let up soon after the program started.
The first part of the evening program following dinner was an award ceremony. The Tony Bingelis Award recognizing an EAA technical counselor for dedicated service and/or significant contributions in assisting members to build and restore aircraft was awarded to Ron Liebman. KITPLANES editor-at-large Paul Dye received the Spirit of Flight Award, which was presented by Andrew McFarlane, President of The Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP). The award is given by the SETP to an EAA member who “Best Exemplifies the Spirit of Research, Development, or Flight Test.” The final award of the evening was to Alberto Porto for his design of the impressive Risen airplane. The Dr. August Raspet Memorial Award is presented every year to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of light aircraft design…