21st Century Airships Inc. (Canada)

The Canadian Balloon Association is proud to nominate 21st Century Airships Inc. of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, for the 2002 FAI Honorary Group Diploma, in recognition of their achievements in revolutionizing airship design and technology for use in sightseeing, advertising and high-altitude platforms, and the production of prototypes leading to the establishment of numerous World records for gas airships.
 

Aeroclub de Alicante (Spain)

The Aeroclub de Alicante was founded in 1964. Since then, it has trained over 600 pilots. It owns a fleet of four aircraft, which have been flying more than 2.100 hours a year in the last seven years. The club has 146 pilot members. Since 1990, some of its Executive Board Members also belong to the Executive Board of the Real Aero Club de España and the Real Federación Aeronáutica Española. The Aeroclub de Alicante has been organising General Aviation competitions for 19 years and three of its crews have been steadily participating in all of the National Championships that have been held in Spain. Since 1986 these same crews have also participated in European and World Rally Championships. The Aeroclub de Alicante was the key player in the team that organised the 10th European Precision Flying Championship and the World Rally Flying Championship in the WAG 2001.
 

Flyhistorisk Museum Sola (The Sola Historical Aviation Museum) (Norway)

Some 20 years ago, a couple of history enthusiasts were searching the ocean floor near one of Norway's largest air bases for the remains of a WW 2 mini-submarine. They did not find the submarine, but instead the remains of an aeroplane that triggered their curiosity. Thus started what was to become one of the major aviation museums in Norway, the Flyhistorisk Museum Sola (FMS). The small initial group grew to more than 25, all volunteers, and the aircraft collection has grown to some 30 aircraft, civilian and military. In addition to collecting and displaying vintage aircraft and historical aeronautical equipment, the group has a number of restoration projects in progress. The Air Force early on took an interest and provided hangar space and facilities, which have become the current home of the FMS. By 1997, the regional authorities had become sufficiently impressed by the group's results to appoint and fund a full-time curator and to integrate the museum into a regional system of scientific and educational institutions. In this way the FMS with its enthusiastic volunteers is contributing greatly to the development and growth of aviation in Norway.
 

Garmin International Inc. (USA)

For their leadership in Global Positioning System innovation.For nearly ten years, Garmin has been the world leader in aircraft GPS innovation. In 1994, Garmin was the first company to earn IFR non-precision navigation approach certification with its GPS 155 TSO model. Since then, the company has produced millions of GPS receivers for aviation and other markets. Today, the company's top-of-the-line GNS 530 model raises the standard for general aviation navigation systems by offering IFR precision navigation (both GPS and ILS), ATC communications, and a host of other functions along with a color moving map. This model is an improved version of their GNS 430, the much-copied revolutionary standalone model introduced in 1998.
 

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and Air B (Japan)

Sponsored by the Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and planned and operated by Air B, the Hot Air Balloon Japan Honda Grand Prix is the largest hot air balloon competition series and has been held at five venues in Japan since 1993. Last year was the competition’s tenth anniversary and total spectators reached more than 10 million. The competition has provided opportunities to display not only ballooning but also other air sports, and various air sports classes are held concurrently. This attracted strong attention from various media, thus contributing greatly to the promotion of air sports. The Honda Motor Company is also known as the sponsor of barrier-free baskets for balloons designed for the handicapped and elderly passengers, and has also been supporting the Hot Air Balloon World Honda Grand Prix“ since 1998 and FAI Aerobatics events at Twin Ring Motegi for three years. Both sponsor and operator are indispensable contributors to these highly successful events.
 

Hrvatski Olimpijski Odbor (Croatia)

Hrvatski Olimpijski Odbor (Croatian Olympic Committee) is the umbrella association for Croatian sports. Its history goes back only a decade, but is very important for Croatia and for the Croatian Aeronautical Federation, which is a member of it. The Croatian Olympic Committee is the main sponsor and supporter of all air sports in Croatia, including international events held there. The president of COC is Mr. Zlatko MATESA, who is also a PPL holder. Mr. Matesa was delegated to the Croatian Olympic Committee by the Croatian Aeronautical Federation and subsequently became president of the highest authority for sport in Croatia. Hrvatski Olimpijski Odbor’s professional help and support has greatly contributed to the promotion and development of Croatian air sports activities.
 

KGHM Polska Miedz (Poland)

For 35 years, the Polish Copper Centre of the Mining and Metallurgical Industry in Lubin has efficiently co-operated with and supported the activities of the local Aero Club of the Copper Basin in Lubin and of the whole sport aviation movement in the South-West Region of Poland. Thanks to this support, a dynamic development of the local centre of general aviation has been possible, with beneficial results for sport aviation, which has been given an opportunity to use one of the most modern regional aero club airfields in Poland
 

Lithuanian Br. Oskinis Children Aviation School (Lithuania)

Founded in 1983, Br.Oskinis Children Aviation School is an educational institution for teaching young people the principles of aviation. Children aged from 9-15 can obtain glider flight experience and theoretical instruction there. The central establishment is in Kédainiai, whilst 10 branches of the school are situated in other towns around Lithuania. Each year, the school admits about 120 children for the initial selection. Young pilots at the age of 15 years take theoretical and flight examinations on training gliders and obtain a final certificate. Successful graduates are granted the right to develop their skills in aero clubs of the Lithuanian National Aero Club. The Lithuanian Br.Oskinis Children Aviation School deserves the FAI Honorary Group Diploma for its organization of youth elementary aviation teaching.
 

Malmin lentoaseman ystävät ry (MLY).(Finland)

The Finnish Aeronautical Association (FAA) proposes that the FAI Honorary Group Diploma be awarded to Malmin lentoaseman ystävät ry (MLY). Malmi airport is the oldest airport in Finland and an extremely important base for sports and recreational aviators in the metropolitan area. To give but one example, one of the largest Finnish aviation clubs, the Parachuting Club of Finland, operates from Malmi. Its busy parachuting activity is an essential feature of the capital’s skies. The preservation of the airport is immensely important for Finnish sport and general aviation. MLY was established only three years ago to help to preserve Malmi when political pressures to demolish the airport became severe. Due to its energetic and determined action, the association has in a brief time acquired remarkable positive publicity outside aviation circles as well. Among other things, the association has organized an open day event at the endangered airport for three years running. Each time, the event has been a huge success. Tens of thousands of people have come to see normal flying activities. In May 2003 visitors numbered about 30 000. Big crowds also attracted several representatives of the media to Malmi, which resulted in a vast amount of publicity for aviation. MLY’s members have demonstrated with their hard and unselfish work that much can be done even without considerable sponsor backing. In just three years, the association has changed public opinion into one favourable towards the preservation of the airport.
 

Shanghai Military Sports Club (China)

Founded in Sep. 1980, Shanghai Military Sports Club has trained a large number of elite aeromodellers, including 7 world-record holders, 8 world champions, 8 world silver-medallists, and 3 world bronze-medallists. Since 1996, their competitors have also participated in the space model world championships, and won 3 silver medals and 1 bronze. Following their success in organizing the 1994 world control line championships, they are planning to bid for the 2006 world control line championships.
 

Sport Section of the Czech Television (Czech R.)

The Sports Department of Czech Television has popularised sporting aviation for many years. Using popular educational methods, it describes the basis, rules and special features of the aviation disciplines and makes it easier for ordinary TV viewers to understand them. During the last three years, it has achieved an increase in the attraction of aviation and air sports through many reports, interviews and live TV transmissions. By these methods it has succeeded in changing the perception of sporting aviation from one of elite entertainment to that of a recognition of fully valid sporting performances.
 

Tecnam Aeronautic (Italy)

S.R.L. Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam was founded in 1986 by the brothers Pascale. The company is located in Naples with an establishment measuring over 11000 square meters. A second establishment is located in Castelvolturno and features the final assembly line, and a flight field where flight tests are carried out. The Company's interests are divided into two main activities: The first pertains to the construction and assembly of structural components for commercial aircraft, including the ATR 42/72, Boeings, Agusta, LearJet, Falcon, Dornier, etc. The other sector of activity pertains to the design and manufacture of prototypes and production units for light and ultralight aviation. Since 1992, Tecnam, drawing on the rare field experience of their founders, has entered this market internationally with noteworthy results and nearly 500 aircraft have been produced. The distribution network of Tecnam aircraft today has dealers in all major countries. The Company's strategy is particularly dedicated to investing resources in research and development with the aim of continued refinement and upgrading of its products.
 

Zeleziarne Podbrezová a.s (Slovak Republic)

The Zeleziarne Podbrezová ironworks was founded in 1840 and today it is one of the oldest producers of steel pipes in Central Europe. During its rich history it has always influenced social and cultural life in central Slovakia. In 1980 the ironworks started working hard to achieve its principal aim to promote all the air sports connected with mountain activities hang gliding, paragliding and ballooning. The Zeleziarne Podbrezová ironworks has demonstrated its commitment to air sports many times. For example, in 1982 the company organized and sponsored the 1st Slovak hang gliding and paragliding championships. Later it was responsible for the organisation of national and international FAI events of first and second categories, including the very successful European hang gliding championships in 1998. Since 1997 this company has organised very popular events especially for competitors from central and eastern Europe called Podbrezová Cup. The Zeleziarne Podbrezová a.s is nominated for their continuous assistance to the top national and international hang gliding, paragliding and ballooning competitions and for their generous financial support for the Slovak pilots in the first and second FAI World Air Games.