The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) celebrated five distinguished individuals for their significant contributions to recreational aviation during the 2025 Sport Aviation Halls of Fame induction ceremony on November 12 at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh. The 2025 inductees include:
Homebuilders Hall of Fame Vic Syracuse (EAA 180848) is a twelve-time aircraft builder, having completed multiple RVs, three Kitfoxes, a Prescott Pusher, a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL, and a Hummingbird helicopter. Beyond construction, Syracuse has conducted numerous pre-buy inspections for prospective aircraft owners and authored widely referenced maintenance and inspection resources in Kitplanes and EAA Sport Aviation magazines, along with books and online video content. He previously served as chairman of EAA’s Homebuilt Aircraft Council and received the Tony Bingelis Award in 2022 for his technical counseling and service to the homebuilt aircraft community.
Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame Mark Holliday (EAA 87406) has been immersed in aviation since childhood, soloing 26 aircraft on his 16th birthday and flying a Mooney Mite to the 1969 EAA fly-in at Rockford, Illinois, shortly after obtaining his private license. Holliday has logged nearly 1,500 flight hours by age 21 and has performed aerobatic routines for 25 years in his Swift. He served as chief pilot for the Vintage Aero Flying Museum, flying over 200 aircraft types, including World War I replicas, and is highly regarded within the Swift pilot community.
Ultralights Hall of Fame Dave Cronk (EAA 1653087) pioneered the development of Quicksilver rigid-wing hang gliders in the 1970s and later adapted these designs to powered ultralights, producing the Quicksilver MX, MXL, Sprint, and GT series. In 1994, his GT-500 became the first ultralight certified under the FAA’s light-sport aircraft category. Cronk’s construction methods remain foundational to modern ultralight aircraft. He won the 1975 Hang Gliding World Championship and continues to serve as a consultant to aviation organizations, including NASA, SpaceX, and the U.S. Department of Defense. His Cumulus 10 hang glider is on permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center.
International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame Rob Holland (posthumous) achieved 13 consecutive U.S. national aerobatic championships in the Unlimited category, 14 national aerobatic freestyle titles, and six world freestyle championships. Holland was instrumental in securing the 2026 World Aerobatic Championships for Batavia, New York, and participated extensively in air shows nationwide. His accolades include honorary membership with the Blue Angels and Canadian Snowbirds, the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award, and more than 38 national and international medals. Holland logged over 15,000 hours across more than 180 aircraft types before his death in April 2025.
Warbirds of America Hall of Fame Darrel Berry (posthumous) was a founding member of the Ridge Runner flight team, lead pilot for the T-34 Association FAST team, and a member of the EAA Tennessee Warbirds First Squadron. Owner of BMT Aviation, Berry collected, restored, and flew more than three dozen vintage military aircraft, including T-34s, T-6s, AT-11s, helicopters, and a Grumman TBM Avenger. An Army and Marine Corps veteran, he became a pilot in 1978 and logged more than 8,000 flight hours before his passing in October 2025.
The EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame recognize men and women whose achievements embody the spirit of EAA and its global community. Inductees are selected by peers for their extraordinary contributions to recreational and sport aviation. Additionally, Phil Myrkle of Oshkosh received the Henry Kimberly Leadership Award, honoring his long-standing volunteer service to EAA, including contributions to the AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in and the EAA Aviation Museum.
About EAA The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, promotes The Spirit of Aviation through one of the world’s most engaged communities of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 300,000 members and 900 local chapters share their passion for flying, building, and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information, visit www.eaa.org or call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322).
