Homebuilders Hall of Fame

Nomination Form

2018 Inductee

Darryl Murphy, EAA 293368

This year’s inductee into the EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame, Darryl Murphy of Chilliwack, British Columbia, got his start in the late 1970s by designing and building a rigid wing hang glider. While laid up after a non-aviation-related accident, he started designing a single-seat biplane that first flew in 1984. He upgraded that design to a two-seater using innovative construction techniques and then founded Murphy Aircraft the following year.

Over the years, the designs continued to flow, including the company’s first commercial product, the Renegade biplane series, followed by the all-aluminum Rebel, the Maverick, the Elite, and the sturdy Moose bushplane. In addition, Darryl designed a series of amphibious floats, as well as a line of wheels and brakes. Murphy aircraft were among the first to fly with the venerable Rotax 914, and in 2003, Bombardier used a Murphy Moose to demonstrate its 300-hp V-6 engine at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. In 2012, Darryl designed the four-seat Yukon and, after announcing his retirement in 2014, went on to design the STOL, bike-rack-equipped Murphy Radical.

Previous Inductees