Sweepstakes Winner Claims Van’s RV-12, Receives Surprise Visit

October 19, 2017 - Roy Schalk, EAA 853982 and grand prize winner of the 2017 EAA Aircraft Sweepstakes, stopped by Oshkosh this week to pick up his new Van’s RV-12.

Roy traveled to Oshkosh from Foster, Kentucky, with his wife and a friend to claim the RV-12 and go through transition training.

What he wasn’t expecting was a surprise visit from Miracle on the Hudson copilot and former Young Eagles Co-chairman Jeff Skiles, who flew the prize RV-12 from Oregon to Oshkosh last spring. Jeff flew in on Wednesday specifically to congratulate Roy.

“I was a bit star-struck to be honest with you,” Roy said of meeting Jeff. “I did not expect that. I recognized him as soon as he came in the door. … He’s got a great personality. Real down-to-earth and easy to talk to.”

Jeff, who chatted with Roy for about an hour, was happy to see the airplane go to someone who embodies The Spirit of Aviation.

“It’s absolutely great to see people that are fundamental, Paul (Poberezny)’s kind of EAA people win this airplane, win the sweepstakes,” Jeff said.

Roy, a Cessna 182 pilot, trained in his new RV-12 for most of the day on Thursday and was impressed by the airplane’s performance.

“It’s way different than what I’m used to, but I really like it,” Roy said. “It’s really responsive.”