Individuals and groups who have shown outstanding passion and dedication in air sports were recognised for their contribution by FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, at a celebratory Awards Ceremony on 22 October 2025 in Vantaa, Finland.

The annual FAI Awards Ceremony is a highlight of the air sports calendar, in which the contributions made by athletes, aviators, innovators and experts from around the globe are recognised with FAI diplomas and medals.

As every year, the inspirational ceremony marked the beginning of the FAI General Conference, this year being held in Vantaa, Finland and hosted by the Finnish Aeronautical Association.

From the long list of recipients this year come stories from around the globe, spanning the spectrum of FAI air sports from gliding to drone racing, skydiving to astronautics. Preservation of aeronautical heritage, long-standing commitment to air sports leadership, world record breaking feats, and boundary-pushing innovations all received recognition.

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FAI President Greg Principato praised all the 2025 awardees: 

“Each and every individual and team recognised with an FAI award this year deserves their moment in the spotlight. Your passion, commitment and hard work is inspirational to behold, and shows future generations that air sports have a long and thriving future.”

Janne Vasama, the President of the Finnish Aeronautical Association, said:

"The FAI awards represent the highest international recognition in aviation. They are not merely a testament to success; they are proof of boundless human determination and an unwavering passion for flight. Your accomplishments inspire all of us and drive the various air sports forward. You are role models for the younger generation who look up and dream of their own wings."

Thirteen awardees travelled to Finland to receive their awards from Janne Vasama and Greg Principato (left and right on the pictures): 

FAI Silver Medal:

• Mark Sullivan (USA)
  For his long-standing leadership in FAI ballooning, his pioneering achievements in hot air and gas balloon competitions, including founding the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, and his record-setting dedication to flight worldwide.

Paul Tissandier Diplomas

• Pasi Pirttikoski (Finland)
  For his long-standing service to the FAI Parachute Commission, including leadership of the ISC CF Committee since 2006 and representation of Finland as deputy and full delegate.

• Tom Arppe (Finland)
  For his decades of efforts and contribution to enhancing information on Finland’s uncontrolled and light airfields and supporting recreational and general aviation for pilots nationwide.

• Guido Guidi (Italy)
  For his role in developing aeronautical sport in Italy, his transoceanic flight experience, and his commitment to aviation safety and governance.
  "This recognition came as a true surprise. For me, working to improve flight safety and to support the world of sport and light aviation has always been a natural commitment, something that simply had to be done. I like to think this award acknowledges those years of effort, often carried out through many challenges and not always with the results I hoped for, and serves as an encouragement to keep contributing to the future of aviation and its community. 
  "What has always motivated me is the simple fact that, when we see things that could be better, we feel the need to act. The world keeps evolving, and so must aviation. What already works should be preserved; what needs to change should be changed with courage and respect. If my work can help others see that, then that would be the best inspiration I could offer."

• Sandro Gargini (Italy)
  For his exceptional career in parachuting and aviation, his role as an international judge and instructor, and his leadership of major FAI events and aeronautical commissions.
  "This award represents positive recognition of the work I've done for 45 years for my NAC Aero Club d'Italia and then for the last 10 years, and still today, as the Italian Delegate to the FAI and Skydiving Commission. This is gratifying for me and for my life, along with everything I've learned and accomplished in regulations and organizations, especially international ones like the FAI, which I deeply appreciate. 
  "The enchantment and then my passion for all air sports, were born when I was a boy and evolved with age. I leave everyone free to find their own inspiration to contribute to the development of aviation sports. It's definitely worth it!"

• Khalid Alkalbani (Oman)
  For his passion and commitment to aviation in Oman, founding the Al Dhahirah Team, training youth, and serving as mentor and international representative.

• Kjell Dalsheim (Sweden)
  For his long-term chairmanship of Vasterdalarnas Flygklubb, achievements in gliding and model flying, and contribution to promoting air sports in Sweden. "I am really very proud of to receive an award from FAI, I did not expect it. My FAI award will inspire me and my club members to inspire more friends to join aviation."

• Andy Hunziker (Switzerland)
  For his decades of promoting ballooning in Switzerland, his national and European titles, pilot training, Alpine records, and creation of the world’s largest hot air balloon. 
  “It is a great honour for me to receive this FAI award. I owe this nomination to my first pilot trainee and current president of the Vordemwald Ballooning Group. From an early age, I wanted to be a pilot, inspired by my mother. During my 45 years as a professional pilot, I flew the first giant balloons with 20 passengers over Switzerland. The high alpine crossings with 12 passengers were like expeditions. They lasted 4-7 hours, flying from Bern over the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau to the Matterhorn and on to Turin in Italy.
  "My numerous television broadcasts made the Swiss population appreciate this ballooning sport. This was the only way to get many young people interested in ballooning and train them as pilots. Even after 50 years, I am still fascinated by flying in a balloon over the Emmental."

FAI Group Diploma of Honour:

• Athens Aeroclub (Greece)
  For providing continuous aviation training since 1929, supporting professional careers, engaging in community service, and maintaining operations from Tatoi Air Base, despite wartime destruction and post-war reorganisation.

Andrei Tupolev Aeromodelling Diploma: 

• Joze Cuden (Slovenia)
  For multiple World and European Championship victories, over 20 medals, technical innovations, mentoring champions, strengthening national teams, and contributing to international space modelling governance and competition development.

David Faulkner Bryant Diploma:

• Michel Pallier (France)
  For building a Hatz CB1 aircraft over 22 years, completing 13,000 hours of work, achieving first flight in 2008, earning Certificate of Airworthiness, and receiving Best Workmanship recognition at the 2024 Euro Fly-In.
  "I feel deeply honoured receiving the FAI  David Faulkner Bryant for construction of my HATZ CB1 biplane. Honestly I am not sure it is well deserved because I see homebuilt airplanes with a build quality far superior to mine! I always had a deep admiration for the pioneers of aviation. I worked as a flight attendant at Air France. My goal was to build the airplane all  by myself, learning the rules of the art, acquiring the skills (welding, covering ..), stepping into the unknown. It was a labour of love. My message to hesitating dreamers, or builders 'stuck' in their project (this construction adventure took me 22 years) is that the experience acquired, meeting and sharing with enthusiasts, no matter the time or money spent, the result is priceless. Enjoy!"

Phoenix Group Diploma:

• Metodej Vlach Foundation (Czechia)
  For the faithful reconstruction of the Sopwith Triplane, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship, technical precision, and enduring commitment to preserving and showcasing historic aviation heritage.

Dr. Peter Saundby Diploma:

• Melchor Anunano (USA)
  For advancing flight safety, pilot health, and sport aviation performance through global leadership, research, and education in aerospace medicine, with lasting contributions to aviation standards, human performance, and international cooperation. 
  “Receiving the FAI’s 'Peter Saundby Diploma' is a profound honor, given Dr. Saundby’s legacy as an internationally recognized aeromedical professional and innovator in air sports medicine. This award is particularly meaningful as only one other person has received it since it was created in 2021. My lifelong passion for aerospace medicine began in 1969 as a child in Mexico City, inspired by milestones such as the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Boeing 747’s first flight, and the Concorde. This led me to become a medical doctor, pilot, and specialist in Aerospace Medicine, with a career dedicated full-time to the field since 1984.
  "My professional contributions span over 1,100 professional presentations in 46 countries, 65 scientific publications, and co-authorship of textbook chapters on Unique Aircraft Operations that include aerobatics, lighter-than-air flights, ultralight flights, light sport aircraft activities, and skydiving-parachuting-unpowered parasports. I have been president of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine, the U.S. Aerospace Medical Association, the U.S. Space Medicine Society, and the Iberoamerican Association of Aerospace Medicine.
  "My work has inspired others, especially young students, to pursue careers they are passionate about. Through mentoring, lectures, and conferences, I have encouraged aspiring professionals to follow their interests in aviation and space, often telling them to follow my lead because I am fortunate to have 'a hobby with income and benefits' rather than just a job."

Other major FAI awards

FAI Gold Air Medal

• Oleksandr Halunenko (UKR)
  For his exceptional achievement of 263 world records, his leadership as President of the Federation of Aeronautical Sports of Ukraine, his contributions to the General Designer and his outstanding test flights of legendary Antonov aircrafts.

FAI Bronze Medal

• Jia Bing (CHN)
  For his longstanding leadership of the Aero Sports Federation of China, guiding the successful delivery of major FAI events, and advancing drone racing, drone soccer, and international air sports.

Sabiha Gökcen Medal

• Luisa Rizzo (ITA)
  For her historic World Championship triumph in drone racing, her pioneering role as Italy’s first female national team pilot, and her pioneering spirit as an inspiring role model for the next generation.

Photo credit: SIL