AIR SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

Nine people who contributed greatly to the world of flight have been honored by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) as the newest members of the EAA affiliated Halls of Fame. The group was inducted on Friday, Nov. 10, during a program at the EAA Aviation Center at Oshkosh, Wis.

Jean Delemontez and the late Leslie Long were inducted into the EAA Homebuilders’ Hall of Fame. Gene Beggs became the newest member of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Hall of Fame, while Dave Schlingman joined those in the EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame. Iris Critchell and Ken Medley were honored as inductees into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame, with Jack Cox joining the Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame. In addition, the EAA Ultralight Hall of Fame welcomed Boris Popov and Wayne Ison into its roster of members.

"All of these people have contributed much to the world of flight," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "Each has carved a unique niche in aviation history. They represent the best that recreational aviation has to offer and serve as an example for everyone involved in flying. We are honored to welcome them as our newest inductees to the EAA Halls of Fame.

A brief sketch on the contributions made by the 2000 inductees are given below:

Homebuilders Hall of Fame

Albert Sorignet, accepting on behalf of Jean Delemontez, EAA Homebuilders’ Hall of Fame

Jean Delemontez: Delemontez, of La Tremblade, France, is one of the legendary figures in European homebuilding circles. He developed the Jodel family of aircraft beginning in 1948, easily recognizable with its characteristic bent wing. Around the world, more than 6,000 Jodels are now flying.

Anna Hart, widow of EAA Homebuilders’ Hall of Fame inductee Leslie Long, with son Stanton Long and wife Rosemary

Leslie Long: Long, who died in 1945, was noted for his lightplane designs and research work. When, in the 1930s, the U.S government effectively grounded all homebuilts except in Long's home state of Oregon, he began his own aeronautical research that formed the basis for the modern homebuilding movement.

Warbirds Hall of Fame

Dave Schlingman: A Tampa, Fla., resident and retired TWA captain with more than 23,000 flying hours, Schlingman has been active in the Warbirds Division since 1976, including six years as vice president. He has also been Warbirds Air Boss at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for 16 years.

Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame

Jack Cox: Cox, who now resides in Asheboro, N.C., was Editor-in-Chief of EAA Publications for nearly 30 years. His work in the early 1970s led to the formation of the EAA Antique/Classic Division, now known as the Vintage Aircraft Association. He also was instrumental in formulating the classifications still used for judging vintage aircraft.

Ultralight Hall of Fame

Boris Popov: Popov, of Afton, Minn., founded Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS), the world pioneer in whole-aircraft parachute systems. The company began with ultralight recovery chutes before developing systems for general aviation use in the Cessna 150. BRS chutes are now standard equipment in the innovative Cirrus Aircraft.

Wayne Ison: Ison, of Morrison, Tenn., is president and CEO of TEAM Aircraft, as well as an aircraft designer and kit producer. He is the creator of the TEAM line of aircraft, including the miniMAX, HiMAX, Z-MAX, EROS, V-MAX, AirBike and Tandem Airbike. Ison has won dozens of awards and sold aircraft in 34 countries.

International Aerobatic Hall of Fame

Gene Beggs: Beggs, of Odessa, Texas, is an internationally renowned aerobatic competitor and instructor. He was a member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team in 1984 and 1986, and has taught some of the most talented and recognized air show performers in the world.

Flight Instructors Hall of Fame

Ken Medley: Medley, of Arlington, Va., has been flying for 60 years and instructing for 58. His instruction classes have included both military and civilian students. Medley's knowledge, abilities and experience have earned respect from students around the world.

Iris Critchell: This great-grandmother from Claremont, Calif., has been flying for more than 60 years. A member of the 1936 U.S. Olympic swimming team, she was also the first woman to complete the Civil Pilot Training program at the University of Southern California. She was also a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and developed an aviation curriculum at Harvey Mudd College in California.

Inductees were nominated by members of EAA, EAA Divisions or the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). The final selection was made by the Board of Directors of each group. Nominees were considered for their contributions to the history, development and growth of a particular facet of sport aviation. The IAC Hall of Fame was founded in 1987, while the Homebuilders' Hall of Fame was founded in 1993, the Warbirds of America Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame in 1997. The Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame was created in 1993, while 1999 was the inaugural year for the Ultralight Hall of Fame.