The L. Paul Soucy Trophy


Origin
The award was conceived and donated by L. Paul Soucy of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Soucy was one of the first members of IAC and the Board of Directors. His purpose was to recognize not only skilled pilots but also those who supported a minimum number of contests as well as the IAC Championships in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He died in 1971.

Criteria
The purpose of the award is to recognize the IAC competition pilot who achieves the highest percentage of points possible during a calendar year and who also competes in three or more contests, one of which is the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships.

Procedures
The IAC Awards Chairman will determine the winner of this award using the contest results submitted to IAC headquarters by individual contest directors. Generally, the top ten pilots are compiled, and this information later published in Sport Aerobatics. The information will be kept confidential until the awards banquet. The plaque will be ordered by the Executive Director.

Presentation
Recipient trophies are funded by IAC and consist of a laser cut plaque with a photograph of the permanent trophy set in the plaque.  The master trophy remains on display at the IAC Pavilion in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The plaque is presented at the IAC Annual Gathering Dinner at EAA Air Venture.

THE L. PAUL SOUCY TROPHY – RECIPIENTS
Note: The year shown is that to which the award pertains. The trophy is presented the following year.
1970 – Mike Heuer
1971 – Giles Henderson
1972 – Verne Jobst
1973 – Henry Haigh
1974 – Bill Thomas
1975 – Giles Henderson
1976 – Henry Haigh
1977 – Clint McHenry
1978 ------
1979 ------
1980 – Jack Gladish
1981 – Charlie Larkey
1982 – Peter Anderson
1983 – Peter Anderson
1984 – Amos Buettel
1985 – Henry Haigh
1986 – Giles Henderson
1987 – Harold Chappell
1988 – Giles Henderson
1989 – Phil Sisson
1990 – Larry Warren
1991 – Gerry Molidor
1992 – Jan Jones
1993 – Gerry Molidor
1994 – Nott Wheeler
1995 – Chris Panzl
1996 – Mike Vaughan
1997 – David Monroe
1998 – Vicki Cruse 
1999 – Mike Vaughan
2000 – Clyde  Cable
2001 – Pete Eslick
2002 – Mike Mangold
2003 – Brent Smith
2004 – Joe Haycraft
2005 – Reinaldo Beyer
2006 – Jenner Knight

2007 – Joe Haycraft
2008 – Joe Haycraft
2009 – Jason McDermott
2010 – Klaus Mueller
2011 – Bill Denton
2012 – Francesco Pallozzi
2013 - Aaron McCartan
2014 - Paul Thomson
2015 - Kevin Elizondo
2016 - Nicholas Meyer
2017 - Shaun Brautigan 
2018 - Larry Ernewein
2019 - Leigh Hubner
2020 --------
2021 - Michael Hoy
2022 - Phillip Gragg
2023 - Wayne Forbes