And the Grasshopper Goes To

October 6, 2016 - Kelly Jameson, EAA 626345, of Chappell Hill, Texas, has been selected as the winner of the 2016 EAA Sweepstakes. Jameson’s name was drawn on September 30 from more than 740,000 entries made by upward of 30,000 individuals.

“I was very, very surprised,” he said. “You see those things, these big ticket items, and you never expect that you’re the winner.”

This year’s prize is particularly special as it is the first time the winner will receive a warbird: a 1945 Piper L-4J, the military version of the J-3 Cub affectionately called the Grasshopper. The L4-J was restored to original factory form by a former Rolls-Royce trophy winner and has flown less than 100 hours since its restoration.

“I appreciate the stewardship of this airplane. Taking care of the history representing the people who fought for this country,” Jameson said. “It is a special plane that not everyone would appreciate.”

This Grasshopper will most definitely be appreciated by its new owners as Jameson isn’t the only aviation enthusiast in the family. His oldest son Joseph, 19, is also a pilot and regularly flies their Cessna 172. He was featured in the March 2011 issue of Sport Aviation when he built his own pedal plane. These days he’s working on a Pietenpol.

While the family already owns a GA aircraft, having two will come in handy with more than one pilot in the bunch.

“We’re excited to put it to use,” Jameson said of the L-bird.

Each year thousands of people enter the EAA sweepstakes for the chance to take home a spectacular airplane. Past prizes have included a Piper J-3 Cub in 2015 and a 1937 Fairchild 24H Deluxe in 2014. This year’s second prize was a 2017 AirVenture VIP package won by Jeff Troxel, EAA 9024246, of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Troxel will receive two flights on the Bell 47 helicopter, Ford Tri-Motor, and B-17 during AirVenture 2017 as well as weekly admission, camping and much more. He said he is eager to share the package with two of his sons who are pilots.

Jameson’s grand prize-winning entry was a coupon from Sport Aviation sent in by mail but entries can also be made online or in person at the Sweepstakes Building during AirVenture. Although entry is free, donations are welcome and benefit EAA’s education programs.