FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission (CIVL)

The awards are to reward individuals for their contributions or achievements in the individual disciplines of airsports. FAI medals and diplomas aim at giving public recognition to those who have made outstanding contributions to aeronautics and astronautics, especially in the field of sporting aviation. They are awarded each year at the Opening Ceremony of the annual FAI General Conference.

Aerobatics

The Leon Biancotto Aerobatics Diploma

This Diploma was established in February 1993 on a proposal by the FAI Aerobatics Commission. Widely regarded as one of the finest aerobatic pilots of all times, Leon Biancotto was a member of the French aerobatic team. He lost his life practising for the first FAI World Aerobatic Championships in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia in 1960. Biancotto won the famous Lockheed Aerobatic Trophy in England on three of the six occasions it was held. In 1965, a competition known as the Biancotto Trophy was started which eventually developed into the European Aerobatic Championships. The Diploma may be awarded on the recommendation of the FAI Aerobatics Commission to individuals or organisations that have contributed significantly to the sport of aerobatics.

aeromodelling

The Alphonse Penaud Aeromodelling Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1979 and amended in 1980. One Diploma a year may be awarded on the recommendation of the FAI Aeromodelling Commission to any aeromodelller of a FAI Member who has either a) obtained at least three times consecutively the title of National Champion, or b) obtained at least once the title of World Champion, or c) established at least three world records, or d) shown other outstanding sporting achievements.

The Andrei Tupolev Aeromodelling Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1989 and may be awarded annually by the FAI to an aeromodeller of an FAI Member for outstang record performance in aeromodelling.This Diploma is donated annually by the NAC of Russia to the FAI. Only one Diploma shall be awarded annually.

The Andrei Tupolev Aeromodelling Medal

This Medal was established in 1989. It may be awarded annually on recommendation by the FAI Aeromodelling Commission to any aeromodelller who in the same year won the World and National Aeromodelling Championships in the same class of models. It is donated annually by the NAC of Russia. Not more than one medal may be awarded each year.

The Antonov Aeromodelling Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1987 and may be awarded annually by the FAI to an aeromodeller of an FAI Member for technical innovations in aeromodelling. This Diploma is donated annually by the NAC of Russia to the FAI. Only one Diploma shall be awarded annually. The Antonov Aeromodelling Diploma may be granted more than once to the same person for different technical innovations made in different years.

The FAI Aeromodelling Gold Medal

This Medal, established in 1987, may be awarded annually on recommendation by the FAI Aeromodelling Commission to an aeromodeller of an FAI member for outstanding merit in organization activities. The recipient shall have fulfilled at least twice the function of Competition Director or a similar function at World or Continental Championships, or fulfilled at least three times the function of an FAI jury member at World or Continental Championships, or fulfilled at least five times the function of a judge or a similar function at World or Continental Championships, or served at least three years as a delegate to the FAI Aeromodelling Commission, or served another function therein, or shown outstanding merits in developing aeromodelling by organizational activities.

The Frank Ehling Diploma

This Diploma is donated by the Academy of Model Aeronautics of the USA. It honours Frank V Ehling whose simple models designs have been used successfully on three continents. Only one Diploma shall be awarded annually, for outstanding accomplishement, by an organisation or individual, in connextion with the promotion of aviation through the use of flying models.

Amateur-built aircraft

The Henri Mignet Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1984 on a proposal by the FAI Amateur-Built Aircraft Committee. One Diploma may be awarded annually after being proposed by the FAI Amateur-Built Aircraft Committee to an amateur builder who has fulfilled one or more of the following conditions : the development and construction of an aircraft of a new design which has : outstanding performance and low fuel consumption at cruising speed, low noise level, safe handling characteristics.

The Phoenix Diploma

This Diploma, established by the FAI in 1978 may be awarded for the best reconstruction or restoration of a vintage (more than 30 years old) aircraft achieved by an individual amateur. Each FAI Member may annually submit the name of one candidate for this Diploma to the FAI Amateur-Built Aircraft Committee for consideration. Only one Diploma shall be conferred each year.

The Phoenix Group Diploma

This Diploma, established by the FAI in 1990 may each be awarded for the best reconstruction or restoration of a vintage (more than 30 years old) aircraft achieved by a group of any size or description (e.g. museum, sponsored group, society, company). Each FAI Member may annually submit the name of one candidate for this Diploma to the FAI Amateur-Built and Experimental Aircraft Commission for consideration. Only one Group Diploma shall be conferred each year.

astronautics

The Korolev Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1988 on a proposal by the FAI Astronautic Records Commission. It may be awarded to technicians or engineers having worked in orbit or on a celestial body in building structures and/or their equipment, or in a non-planned restoration or repair of a broken device to make possible the continuation of a mission, and, on this occasion, having demonstrated human work in space. Only one Diploma shall be awarded each year.

The Odyssey Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1988 on a proposal by the FAI Astronautic Records Commission. It may be awarded yearly to a person or a group of persons whose actions, achievements, or works on earth, in space, or on celesstial body have safeguarded or may safeguard human life in space.

The V. M. Komarov Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1970 to honor the memory of Soviet Cosmonaut Komarov who participated in the world record space flight of Voskhod 1 in 1964, and who lost his life while serving on a cosmic flight. It may be awarded annually to astronauts, members of multi-seater crews, for outstanding achievements in the field of exploration of outer space in the previous year. The maximum number of crews to be recognized annually shall be three.

The Yuri A. Gagarin Gold Medal

This Medal was established by the FAI in 1968 in honour of Astronaut Yuri A. Gagarin, who performed the first space flight by man on the 12th of April 1961. He lost his life on the 27th of March 1968 in a tragic aircraft accident while carrying out a training flight. It is annually awarded to the space pilot who in the previous year has accomplished the greatest achievement in Man's conquest of Space.

aviation and space education

The FAI Young Artists Diploma

This Diploma is awarded to the winners of the Young Artists Contest, by the Aviation & Space Education Commission (CIEA). The contest is divised in 3 age groups. The diploma may be donated to the 3 first winners in each age group and to one special Commendation by age group.

The Nile Gold Medal

This Medal, established in 1972, is donated annually by the Aero Club of Egypt to the FAI. It is awarded to a person, group of persons or organization to reward distinguished work in the field of aerospace education, particularly during the year preceding the award.

ballooning

The Mongolfier Ballooning Diplomas

These Diplomas were established by the FAI in 1960. Three Montgolfier may be awarded annually, one to recognize each of the following :- the best sporting performance in the previous Montgolfier year of a Gas balloonist ; - the best sporting performance in the previous Montgolfier year of a Hot Air balloonist ; a major contribution to the development of the sport of Ballooning in general.

The Santos-Dumont Gold Airship Medal

This Medal, established in 1994, honours Alberto Santos-Dumont for his contributions to the developments and to the sport of flying airships, culminating in his historic flight around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, on October 19, 1901, thus winning the Deutsch Prize. 100 medals are contributed by the Virgin Islands Aero Club.

general aviation

The Charles Lindbergh General Aviation Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1983 on a proposal by the FAI General Aviation Commission. It may be awarded annually on a proposal by the FAI General Aviation Commission to : - individuals that have contributed significantly over a period of not less than ten years to the progress and success of General Aviation in either air sport or transportation, or in the work of international bodies concerned with General Aviation ; or - to recognize technical breakthroughs in the field of General Aviation as an incentive toward general progress, and for the purpose of stimulating research and development of new concepts and equipment contributing to operational efficiency and flight safety. Only one Diploma shall be awarded annually.

gliding

The Lilienthal Gliding Medal

To reward a particularly remarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time, the FAI created this medal in 1938. It may be awarded annually to a glider pilot who has : - established an international record during the past year ; or made a pioneer flight (defined as a flight which has opened new possibilities for gliding and/or gliding techniques) ; or rendered eminent service to the sport of gliding over a significant period of time, and is still an active glider pilot.

The Pelagia Majewska Gliding Medal

This Medal was created by the FAI in 1989, following a proposal by the Aero Club of Poland, in memory of Madame Pelagia MAJEWSKA, eminent Polish glider pilot awarded the Lilienthal Medal for 190, and holder of 17 world gliding records, who lost her life in an air accident in 1988. The Medal is offered to the FAI by the Aero Club of Poland. It may be awarded annually, on recommendation by the FAI Gliding Commission, to a female glider pilot to reward : a particularly remarkable performance in gliding during the past year, or eminent services to gliding over a long period of time.

The Pirat Gehriger Diploma

This Diploma was created by the FAI in memory of Pirat Gehriger, the first President of the International Gliding Commission (CIVV). A single diploma may be awarded annually for eminent services to international gliding. Exceptionally, the International Gliding Commission may recommend the award of one or two additional diplomas.

hang gliding

The FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Diploma

This Diploma, established by the FAI in 1979, may be awarded every year to an individual who is considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the development of hang gliding by his or her initiative, work or leadership in flight achievement.

The Pepe Lopes Medal

This Medal was established in February 1993 in memory of Pedro Paulo "Pepe" Lopes of Brazil who was the World Hang Gliding Champion in 1981. His energy and good humour played a big part in developing Brazil as an important centre for international competitions. He died during a hang gliding competition in Japan in 1991. The Medal may be awarded annually, on recommendation by the FAI Hang Gliding Commission, for outstanding contributions to sportsmanship or international understanding in the sport of hang gliding.

microlights

The Ann Welch Diploma

The Ann Welch Diploma was established by the FAI in 2006, on a proposal by the FAI Microlight Commission. Ann Welch, for many years FAI Vice President and Editor of the FAI Bulletin, played leading international roles in the development not only of Microlight aviation, but also of gliding and hang-gliding. She was instrumental in creating the FAI Microlight Commission (CIMA) and formulating the Microlight sporting code. She worked tirelessly for many years in the cause of Microlight sport flying. This diploma may be awarded each year to the pilot or crew of a Microlight who, in the opinion of CIMA, made the most meritorious flight which resulted in a microlight World record claim ratified in the year in question. Only one diploma shall be awarded annually.

The Colibri Diploma

This Diploma, established by the FAI in 1983, on a proposal by the FAI Microlight Commission, may be awarded each year to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of microlight aircraft. Only one Diploma shall be awarded annually.

parachuting

The FAI Gold Parachuting Medal

This Medal was established by the FAI in January 1968. It may be awarded annually for an outstanding accomplishment in connection with parachuting. This may be in the realm of sport, safety,or, at the option of the Commission, an invention. It cannot be awarded to delegates to the FAI Parachuting Commission. The cost of the Medal is covered by the revenue from a 10,000 US $ endowment fund provided by Mr. J.A. Istel, President of Honour of the FAI Parachuting Commission.

The Faust Vrancic Medal

This medal was established in memory of Faust Vrancic. The Medal may be awarded annually, on the decision of the FAI Parachuting Commission, for technical innovation or achievement in parachuting. It cannot be awarded to Delegates to the FAI Parachuting Commission.

The Leonardo Da Vinci Parachuting Diploma

This Diploma was established by the FAI in 1970. One Diploma a year is awarded to a male or female parachutist who has : - obtained at least three times consecutively the title of National Parachuting Champion ; or - obtained at least once the title of Absolute Parachuting Champion and at least twice the title of Combined Champion at an international parachuting competition ; or successfully fulfilled the function of Chief Judge at least twice at an international parachuting competition at at least once at a World Parachuting Championship ; or - fulfilled at least three times consecutively the function of International Judge at a World Parachuting Championship ; or - established at least three World Parachuting records ; or - fulfilled at least twice the function of Competition Director at an International Parachuting Contest and at least once at a World Parachuting Championship ; or - been appointed President of Honour of the FAI Parachuting Commission or served for at least ten co

rotorcraft

The FAI Gold Rotorcraft Medal

This Medal was established in February 1993 to reward a particularly remarkable achievement in rotorcraft including use as a sport vehicle, or eminent services to the development of rotorcraft over an extended period of time.