In recent years, sports coaching has become increasingly important. In competitive sport, a significant proportion of success - or failure - is accredited to coaching. As it's not just physical performance that is important in aeromodelling, but particularly precision and the ability to concentrate, coaching methods vary.
In 2021, FAI will put the spotlight on the most remarkable records ratified by the Federation, and on the striking feats that have marked the history of aviation and space exploration.
By celebrating the anniversaries of these achievements, FAI also wants to commemorate the women and men who pushed the limits of technology and human potential to conquer the sky and explore space.
British pilot Rodney Blois sadly passed away at the beginning of 2021. A respected and well-known figure of the Federation and aviation community, he is remembered fondly by his many friends.
The World Anti-Doping Agency approved a new version of its World Anti-Doping Code during their last Conference. This has come into force on 1 January 2021.
This required a revision of the FAI Anti-Doping Rules. The new code also gave us some extra flexibility with details in our FAI rules. After a thorough and careful review, the FAI Anti-Doping Rules have been approved by WADA and by the FAI Executive Board and have come into force on 1 January 2021.
On 23 November 2020, smartflyer Ltd. received the InnoPrix of the Swiss “Baloise Bank SoBa Solothurn” for the development of its innovative aircraft project.
The award ceremony was broadcast live on radio and TV from a hangar at Grenchen Airport (SUI).
In November 2020 FAI has ratified the following simultaneous Paragliding World records: Straight distance of 582 km and Free distance using up to 3 turn points of 587.5 km, performed on October 10, 2019, by three Brazilian pilots Marcelo Prieto (Enzo 3 / Ozone), Rafael de Moraes Barros (Evox / Niviuk), Rafael Monteiro Saladini (Enzo 3 / Ozone). The launch was in Tacima - Paraíba (Brazil).
David Monks has been elected as the new President of FAI for a two-year term. His election took place today at the 114th FAI General Conference held online from 2 to 5 December 2020.
Once model aircraft design had progressed beyond single-surface wings covered with oiled silk in the mid-1920s, almost all model wings used airfoils developed for manned aircraft, which operated at much higher Reynolds numbers than any model. Sections like RAF 32, NACA 6409 and Clark Y were typical, often 12 or 14% thick.
The person who did the most then to produce airfoils suited to flight at low Reynolds numbers was the Hungarian György Benedek.
A total of 170 participants representing 57 countries attended the 114th FAI General Conference from 2 to 5 December 2020.
Traditionally an in-person event, the Conference was moved online to accommodate the health risks and travel difficulties raised by the pandemic. The schedule, usually planned over two days, was extended to four days and broken into shorter sessions to make it easier for attendees to participate.
By Colleen Johnson, Balloon Meister, Snowmass Balloon Festival
