August Raspet Award Winner 2026
By Angela Satterlee
Since 1960, the Dr. August Raspet Memorial Award has recognized individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of light aircraft design. Named for the late Dr. August “Gus” Raspet, the award is one of aviation’s most prestigious honors.
This year, that distinguished list welcomes Steve Wood, EAA 70439, president of Spirit Engineering. Steve was nominated by the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council for his work designing the Spirit SE-1, a light single-place airplane that made its debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025.
He designed the frame, but when he couldn’t find an engine that met his vision, he made one himself. The result is an all-metal aircraft with folding wings, responsive handling, and a price point aimed at making aircraft ownership more attainable, which has been Steve’s overarching mission for decades.
“I get the most satisfaction and the most enjoyment out of saying that any person can fly right now because I gave them a way to fly,” Steve said. “They could not afford to fly. Now they can afford to fly. That’s immensely satisfying to me.”
His passion for aviation began long before Spirit Engineering. As a third-generation aviator, he grew up surrounded by airplanes. His grandfather flew during World War I, while his father and uncles were military pilots. Which is a passion he’s passed down to his own children and grandchildren, who are with him at AirVenture this year, making his family five generations of aerophiles.
“I can’t remember not being around airplanes,” he said.
Steve knew from the very beginning that he was going to pursue a career in aviation.
“If you’d have asked me when I was 6 years old what I was going to be when I grew up, I would have said aeronautical engineer ... it never changed,” he said. “I thought every kid knew what he wanted to do when he grew up. I found out later that’s not true ... But it was for me.”
An EAA scholarship helped him earn his aeronautical engineering degree, launching a career that included time at Cessna before he started his own company. In 1983, his Sky Pup design earned an engineering innovation award, one of many designs focused on making flying more accessible, before founding Spirit Engineering in 2010.
“I’ve always had different designs sort of rolling around inside of me,” Steve explained. “Most of them have something to do with low-cost aviation because I want my grandkids to enjoy aviation the way I have.”
That is reflected in the SE-1. Weighing just 440 pounds empty, the aircraft cruises at just over 100 mph, climbs at 750 feet per minute, and can take off in about 500 feet. Spirit Engineering also designed the inverted V-twin engine that powers the airplane, giving Wood complete control over the design from the ground up. Still, he believes affordability is the aircraft’s greatest achievement.
“1.5-million-dollar airplanes aren’t the future of aviation,” he said.
While Steve said he never expected to receive the Raspet Award, he considers the recognition especially meaningful because of those who have come before him.
“You don’t do this to get awards, but the fact that someone recognizes maybe the hard work, the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into designing and developing a unique airplane is honorable.”
Steve is humbled that the Raspet Award puts him in such good company.
“If you look at the list, it’s a pretty auspicious list to be on,” he said. “It’s like a who’s who of airplane design. And so it’s an honor to be a recipient and to be included in that.”