Two individuals were inducted into the EAA Warbirds Hall of Fame in 1998. John Ellis and Randy Sohn.
John Ellis
John Ellis has been a member of EAA Warbirds since 1973 and has attended 25 consecutive conventions since that time. He served on the Warbird Board of Directors for two decades, as secretary for 13 years and as a member of the safety committee for 11 years. He also served as Warbird Air Boss from 1977 through 1980.
John received a Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Missouri and graduated in June of 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a regular commission in the U.S. Navy. He flew the Grumman F9F Cougar through carrier qualifications on the U.S.S. Lexington and received his wings in December of 1963. He was released from active duty in 1967.
That same year John founded Kal-Aero, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan with seven employees. By February 1998, when Kal-Aero was acquired by Duncan Aviation, the company had 365 employees.
Through his military experience and warbird activity, John has flown a wide variety of former military aircraft, including the SNJ, T-28, T-34, F6F, FG-1D, F7F, F8F, P-51, P-47, P-39, AD-4N, C-4A, S2F, AF Guardian, N2S, A-4, T-2, T-38 and C-47.
John says that while he did not enjoy night carrier landings, he does take pride in being able to say, “Been there, done that.”
Randy Sohn
Randall Sohn took his first flying lesson the same year he entered the U.S. Air Force: 1953.
Randy began his military career as a radar operator, but soon advanced to flight training, piloting PA-18s, T-6s, T-28s and B-25s. He was a distinguished graduate of the Aviation Cadets in May 1955 and was released from active duty in 1960…but was recalled the next year for the Berlin Crisis. During this time he also received his Airline Transport license, CFI rating and both four-engine and jet checkouts. He joined the Minnesota Air National Guard and rose to the rank of major.
Randy was hired by North Central Airlines in 1960 and in progressing from the right to the left seat, flew the DC-3, DC-6, DC-9, DC-10, Convair 340/440, the 727 and 747. He also became an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for the Convair 580 and the PBY. He retired as a Northwest captain in 1994.
Randy was an early member of both EAA and EAA’s Warbirds of America. He is currently the Program Coordinator for EAA’s National Designated Pilot Examiner registry and flies and checks out other pilots in EAA’s B-17, Aluminum Overcast.