Old Buzzard

Origin

The Charles "Chuck" Alley Lifetime Old Buzzard Award is awarded with honor and distinction to the top scoring competitor who is 65 years or older and completed all flights in any category at the U.S. Nationals. This award honors Charles "Chuck" Alley's accomplishments as an active competitor at age 84 and to encourage the senior members of the IAC who aspire to fly like eagles. The award was first presented in 1999.

Criteria

Presented to the top scoring competitor who is 65 years or older and completed all flights in any category at the U.S. Nationals. No single competitor is eligible to win the award twice in their lifetime.

Procedures

The name of the recipient is provided the Contest Director by the Scoring Director after the contest is completed. The recipient's plaque is ordered by the Executive Director along with the other trophies for the Nationals. No name is inscribed.  

Presentation

Recipient trophies are funded by The Buzzard Bar & Grill in Pottsboro, TX and consist of a laser cut plaque bearing a buzzard's head and an inscription. The master trophy remains on display at the IAC Pavilion in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The plaque is presented at the U. S. National Aerobatic Championships annual awards banquet each year.  

THE OLD BUZZARD AWARD RECIPIENTS  

1999 – Charles "Chuck" Alley
2000 – Joe Haycraft
2001 – Bud Judy
2002 – N/A
2003 – John Watkins
2004 – D.R. Bales
2005 – Joe Haycraft
2006 – Tom Adams
2007 – Klein Gilhousen
2008 – Clyde Cable
2009 – Norm DeWitt
2010 – Tom Rhodes
2011 – Bill Gordon
2012 – Joe Watson
2013 - Mike Plyler
2014 - Gary Debaun
2015 - Charlie Atterbury
2016 - Bill McLean
2017 - Larry Ernewein
2018 - Tom Rhodes
2019 - Beth McCartan
2020 - N/A
2021 - Dick Swanson
2022 - Marty Flournoy