The FAI Executive Board has decided that the 114th FAI General Conference 2020 will take place electronically over dedicated sessions (to be determined) in early December 2020. Physical attendance will not be required.
This decision was taken because of uncertainties around the possibility of holding a physical Conference due to the threat posed by COVID-19. The intention is to take precautions in responding to the situation.
Ten years ago on 8 July 2010, Swiss pilot André Borschberg established an extraordinary FAI world record, which remains unbeaten, by reaching the altitude of 9235m with an aircraft powered by the energy of the sun. The flight was made at the Payerne air base, Switzerland, with one-seater airplane Solar Impulse.
International and local aeromodelling pilots from around the world are looking for other ways to practice their sport following the coronavirus pandemic and resulting competition cancellations. Existing and new online aeromodelling competitions are gaining in popularity. These competitions allow aeromodellers to compete safely from their home airfield.
503 km of straight distance and free distance of up to 3 turn points has claimed Sebastien Kayrouz (USA) as new FAI Paragliding North-American records. He launched on the 8th of June 2020 on his Manta 7 glider from Camp Wood, TX USA.
We asked Sebastian how long has he prepared for this record attempt.
I have been flying paragliders since 1996. I started at the age of 16.
The Open Glider Network (OGN), a unified tracking platform for gliders, is going from strength to strength. So much so that it now prides itself on having almost 2000 OGN stations worldwide and almost 20,000 gliders registered, with peaks of 15,000 gliders/aircrafts at one time under the control of the network.
The FAI has issued technical and practical recommendations concerning the return to normal operations in air sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. All people involved in air sports activities are urged to take responsibility and to follow the recommendations.
COVID-19 has forced many pilots to stay home and give up or temporarily reduce practising their favourite air sports. However, aeromodelling enthusiasts are luckier than others, as they can still work on model aircraft at home, or fly them in their backyards.
Explaining aeromodelling to anyone in society, politics or administration is no easy task. Model gliders with and without motors, model aeroplanes with combustion engines, electric motors, rubber motors, with and without radio control. Nevertheless, we must not neglect outward communication.
Introductory words by Per Findahl, Chairman of the CIAM Education Subcommittee:
Because it is easy and affordable to build and fly one’s own model aircraft, Aeromodelling comprises pilots and officials of all ages and backgrounds, from all around the world, giving it the largest and most diverse community in air sports.
