Thomas L. Knauff (1938 – February 21, 2024) was an American writer, glider pilot, flight instructor, former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Designated Pilot Examiner, and a member of the U.S.
He was an early pioneer of ridge soaring in the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians in the 1960s, ultimately setting five world records flying gliders there.
He was one of the few FAA designated pilot examiners authorized to issue initial flight instructor certificates.
Knauff lived near State College, Pennsylvania with his wife Doris Grove, another hall of fame glider pilot.
They owned and operated the Ridge Soaring Gliderport in Julian, Pennsylvania which they founded in 1975 (closed 2022).