Harold E. Neumann Award

For Outstanding Contribution as a Chief Judge

Origin
A number of IAC members collaborated in conceiving the idea for presenting a trophy to the outstanding chief judge each year. The family of Harold E. Neumann has provided the permanent trophy in 1998 to recognize the outstanding chief judge and to honor the name of Harold E. Neumann, Collier Aviation Trophy recipient, Thompson Trophy Race winner, active IAC competitor and judge until well into his 70's.

Criteria
The Award is given annually for outstanding contribution as a Chief Judge during the prior calendar year. General guidelines, though not requirements, for the award include a person known for leadership qualities and fairness on the judge's line. This person conducts each contest flight in a professional manner and is widely respected for his or her knowledge and experience of IAC rules and judging criteria. Additionally, this person uses each flight program as an educational opportunity for competitors and judges with preflight and post-flight briefings.​

Procedures
Nominees are sought each spring by the Awards Administration Chairman from the Chapters and members through Sport Aerobatics. The Chairman reviews the nominations and presents them to the Board for voting. The winner is selected by secret balloting of the IAC Board of Directors prior to the U.S. Nationals.

Presentation
The recipient receives a plaque, and the master trophy remains on display in the IAC Pavilion in Oshkosh. The recipient plaque is presented at the IAC Annual Gathering Dinner at EAA Air Venture in the year following the contest year for which it is presented.

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