The Paul E. Tuntland Memorial Award

Awarded each year to the person who, during the preceding year, is deemed to have made an important contribution to the science of soaring flight, as disclosed in a published article or paper discussing the results of a soaring flight made by himself during the year, as determined by the SSA Directors, upon recommendation of the SSA Awards Committee.

The award was established in 1952 with a contribution to SSA by the family of Paul E. Tuntland.   Paul was an outstanding soaring pilot whose work in the field of research, instruction, and competition flying contributed greatly to the science and sport of soaring.   Paul died as the result of a gliding accident on September 9, 1950.   The original award was in the form of an 8" × 10" bronze plaque, presented to each recipient, but subsequently was changed to a certificate, for lack of supporting funds.

Shortly after October of each year, the chairman of the SSA Awards Committee recommends the name of a candidate or candidates for the Tuntland Award.   The recommendation is submitted to the Directors for their decision by mail ballot.   The balloting should be completed by January 1st so that the chairman of the Awards Committee may notify the recipient in confidence, in order that he may have the opportunity of being present to receive the award in person.   Award each year is not mandatory and unless a candidate is proposed by the Awards Committee, no award is made.

Recipients of the Paul E. Tuntland Memorial Award have been as follows:
2019 - No Award
2018 - No Award
2017 - Tony Condon
2016 - No Award
2015 - No Award
2014 - No Award
2013 - Daniel L. Johnson
2012 - No Award
2011 - No Award
2010 - No Award
2009 - Mark Hawkins,Frank Paynter
2008 - No Award
2007 - Richard H. Johnson
2006 - Kempton Izuno
2005 - Leo Benetti-Longhini
2004 - Kempton Izuno
2003 - Dr. Edward (Ward) Hindman, Dr. Kevin Kochersberger
2002 - No Award
2001 - No Award
2000 - Dick Johnson
1999 - No Award
1998 - Pete Williams
1997 - No Award
1996 - No Award
1977 - Richard H. Johnson
1994 - No Award
1993 - No Award
1992 - No Award
1991 - No Award
1990 - No Award
1989 - No Award
1988 - No Award
1987 - Alex Strojnik
1986 - No Award
1985 - No Award
1984 - James M. Payne
1983 - Richard H. Johnson
1982 - George J. Vakkur
1981 - No Award
1980 - David J. Marsden
1979 - Richard H. Johnson
1978 - NASA/FAA/SSA Team
1977 - Richard H. Johnson
1976 - Oran Nicks
1975 - No Award
1974 - Robert T. Lamson
1973 - No Award
1972 - Alcide Santilli
1971 - Paul F. Bikle
1970 - Paul F. Bikle
1969 - No Award
1968 - Pat Beatty & Fritz Johl
1967 - Alan C. Bemis
1965 - 1966 - No Award
1964 - Hans Zacher
1963 - Paul F. Bikle
1961 - 1962 - No Award
1960 - Harland C. Ross
1959 - Dewey J. Mancuso
1958 - No Award
1957 - Stanley W. Smith
1956 - Dr. Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
1955 - Dr. Joachim Kuettner
1954 - Harold E. Klieforth
1953 - Dr. Joachim Kuettner
1952 - Dr. August Raspet

[ Courtesy of Jim Payne ]

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