Jim Robinson (right) presenting Moody award to Dave Goulet (left) at the Challenger factory. (View full sized image)

USUA is pleased to announce that the Recipient of the 2005 John Moody Award is long time ultralight pilot and manufacturer Dave Goulet. The continued success of his Challenger line of ultralights, has brought him world wide acclaim, and the Challenger II has been the overwhelming choice of trainer by fixed wing ultralight instructors for the past several years. Over the past seven years, more fixed wing ultralight pilots have learned to fly in a Challenger than any other trainer.

Dave was born 59 years ago in Moline Illinois (the site of the Quad City manufacturing facility) and graduated from a small town high school. After serving two years in the army as a communications specialist at a Pershing missile command in Germany, Dave continued his education by taking engineering courses locally. He worked various jobs during this time, to support his family, but still found time to build and fly model airplanes.

In 1981, Dave built a Mitchell Wing U-2 (from scratch) in his basement, and his love of ultralights began to take shape. While flying the U-2, he met fellow ultralighter Chuck Hamilton, who was flying an Easy Riser. Chuck owned a technical college at the time, and shared Dave's love of building and flying. Together, they designed the first single seat Challenger in the winter of 1982, and took the prototype to Sun N Fun the following Spring. Along with two other investors, Chuck incorporated Quad City Ultralight Corporation, and hired Dave as operations manager. Over the past 23 years, Dave has worked his way up through the company to his present position as President and CEO of Quad City Ultralights.

Dave offers the following comment: "And here we are. Now I'm getting an award for just doing what I love to do; build planes, fly Challengers and talk aviation. There are over 3000 Challenger customers out there so I have plenty of people to talk to."

Dave's hobbies are:

• Flying Challengers
• Building and flying RC Planes
• Golf (12 handicap)
• And playing on the computer

Dave is a humble man, and when told of his winning this prestigious award, he asked to "keep the press at a minimum." Because of this humility, and his commitment to let the product speak for itself, the USUA Board Of Directors, Regional Representatives and past Moody Award recipients selected Dave as the 2005 John Moody Award winner. Congratulations Dave.

Dave Goulet (left), presenting an award to Eugene Clark of Monroe WI, for the oldest single place Challenger Ultralight that flew to Quad City's 20th anniversary fly in at Erie, Illinois. Mr. Clark's Challenger has over 2000 hours on it, and was the 11th Challenger built. (View full sized image)

THE JOHN MOODY AWARD - Origin of the Award:

The John Moody Award was established in 1991 by the United States Ultralight Association. It is the highest and most prestigious award honoring the history and development of ultralight sport aviation. It is awarded annually to a living individual, a group of individuals, or an organization for efforts over a period of years that have reflected credit upon America and themselves by having made significant contributions or advancements of enduring value in the sport of ultralight aviation in the United States. Nominations for this award are solicited from all segments of the ultralight community; including ultralight enthusiasts, industry leaders, and ultralight clubs. The John Moody Award selection committee reviews all nominations.

Selection Committee:

The John Moody Award selection committee consists of the USUA Board of directors, USUA Regional Representatives, and past recipients of the John Moody Award. The committee meets in a closed-door session during the USUA Annual Meeting where it reviews all nominations and selects a recipient to be honored the following year. All voting is by secret ballot, and votes are tallied by the USUA Secretary and the selection committee Chairman.

The announcement of the winner will be made on or after January 1, by USUA headquarters.

Presentation of the Award:

The John Moody Award is presented annually at the USUA Award Ceremony and Annual meeting. The recipient of the award is notified by USUA headquarters, and invited to the USUA Annual Meeting for the presentation of the award.

MOODY AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN

Nominations for the 2006 John Moody award are now being accepted. All nominations must be received by USUA by March 31, 2006. Nominations must be typewritten on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, or electronically produced, and will not exceed two type-written pages in the following format:

Nominee: Identify the nominee, including full address and telephone number.

Nomination Submitted By: The name of the person making the nomination, including full address and telephone number.

Citation: Propose a citation (one or two paragraphs) that captures the essence of the achievements of the nominee.

Justification: State concisely the specific achievements for which the nominee is being cited. Give compete but concise details justifying the award, with background information considered pertinent, and any other relevant information that would assist the committee members in making a final decision.

Nominations can be mailed to USUA Headquarters at:

Past Moody Award Winners