EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame Ceremony
EAA is proud to honor new inductees into our Sport Aviation Halls of Fame at a dinner ceremony on November 9, 2023, in the Eagle Hangar of the EAA Aviation Museum. These inductees, representing ultralights, the International Aerobatic Club, the Vintage Aircraft Association, Warbirds of America, and homebuilding, have dedicated their lives to their respective areas of aviation and join an esteemed group of individuals who represent the spirit of EAA in the highest form.
The EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame were established to honor the outstanding achievements of men and women in aviation who share the spirit of EAA and its community. Those inducted into the hall of fame are selected by their peers for the myriad of contributions made to their respective areas of aviation.
Bringing together EAA's boards of directors, divisions, affiliates, and councils, the hall of fame is a tribute to the pioneering spirit and innovation that has marked the evolution of flight, a spirit that is nurtured and promoted throughout EAA's membership. The event also reunites past honorees to celebrate their collected achievements.
For questions, please contact A. Gerard at agerard@eaa.org or 920-426-5917
2023 Inductee Information
EAA is proud to honor five new inductees into our Sport Aviation Halls of Fame. The five inductees, representing homebuilders, ultralights, the International Aerobatic Club, the Vintage Aircraft Association, and Warbirds of America, have dedicated their lives to their respective areas of aviation and join an esteemed group of individuals who represent the spirit of EAA in the highest form.
- Homebuilders: Neal Loving (posthumous)
- International Aerobatic Club: Lew Shattuck
- EAA Warbirds of America: Chuck Greenhill (posthumous)
- Vintage Aircraft Association: John Parish Sr.
- EAA Ultralights: Paul Mather
Homebuilders: Neal Loving (posthumous)
Born in 1916 in Detroit, Michigan, Neal Loving’s passion for aviation began at an early age. He took his first airplane ride at age 14 and enrolled in an aircraft mechanics course in high school. He began learning to fly in 1938 despite difficulties finding a school that would accept Black students. Three years later, Loving designed the S-1 glider. In 1944, both of Loving’s legs were amputated as a result of a crash. He did not let his disability get in the way of his passion for aviation, as he went on to design his most well-known aircraft, the WR-1, also known as “Loving’s Love,” which is now on display at the EAA Aviation Museum He became an early member of EAA in 1953 and won the “Most Outstanding Design Award” for the WR-1 at the 1954 EAA Fly-In Convention.
International Aerobatic Club: Lew Shattuck
Before getting started in Aerobatics, Lew Shattuck enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952. While serving, Shattuck gained experience flying many different military fighter aircraft. In the summer of 1966, Shattuck was captured after his F-105 was shot down in North Vietnam and was kept as a prisoner for more than six years before being released. He retired from the Air Force in 1976 as a full Colonel. Despite an eye injury suffered during his time in captivity, Shattuck wanted to continue flying. He purchased a Pitts Special and began practicing aerobatics. Shattuck won the 1978 IAC National Championship in the Unlimited category. He continued to fly in competitions until 2018 at the age of 85. Shattuck also served as a mentor for pilots and judges for many years.
EAA Warbirds of America: Chuck Greenhill (posthumous)
Chuck Greenhill’s involvement in warbird restoration began soon after his time serving as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army. Greenhill worked as a tool and die maker, and used those skills to bring warbird aircraft back to life. Working alongside his wife Bev, they restored warbirds back to their original condition. Greenhill would also often help others in the warbird community by providing them with scarcely available parts. Perhaps the most notable among his numerous restoration projects is the only surviving Grumman J2F-4 Duck from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Greenhill’s restorations frequently appeared at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh during the 2000s and 2010s, earning him several awards including 2007 World War II Grand Champion, 2003 and 2005 Reserve Grand Champion, and the 2014 Preservation award. He also used his passion for aviation to inspire the next generation by attending fly-ins and letting children see his aircraft up close and learn about their importance in American history.
Vintage Aircraft Association: John Parish Sr.
John Parish Sr.’s pilot journey began in high school and college where he juggled being a student with learning to fly. In 1964, he bought his first airplane, a Cherokee 180. Parish’s passion for aviation continued to grow, leading him to attend fly-ins across the country. Over time, Parish grew an affinity for one airplane in particular, the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing. Parish was finally able to purchase one of his own in 1970. Parish became continuously more involved with the International Staggerwing Club and in 1973, John and his wife Charlotte helped establish the Staggerwing Museum Foundation, now known as the Beechcraft Heritage Museum, in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Parish’s involvement with EAA has included serving on the organization’s board for more than 30 years, and working as Director and Vice President of the EAA Aviation Foundation.
EAA Ultralights: Paul Mather
Paul Mather began flying in 1974 at age 18 and has flown a variety of ultralights, including hang gliders and Quicksilver foot launch models. In 1980, Mather landed a job with Quicksilver where he would go on to work for 15 years, primarily in sales and marketing with the goal of establishing a dealer network. His work quickly took him across the globe, as he became an international representative in 1982. One of Mather’s greatest achievements came in 1984 when he flew a MXL II aircraft nonstop from Annaba, Algeria, to Monaco over the Mediterranean Sea, setting multiple FAI records in the process. Mather left Quicksilver in 1995 to start his own venture, M-Squared Aircraft, which produces a variety of aircraft including the Breese-XL, a part 103 ultralight vehicle. Mather also became a Designated Airworthiness Representative for the FAA in 2008, having certified more than 500 LSA and amateur-built aircraft.
