This Diploma, established by the FAI in 1952, is named after Mr. Paul Tissandier, Secretary General of FAI from 1919 to 1945. It shall be awarded to those who have served the cause of Aviation in general and Sporting Aviation in particular, by their work, initiative, devotion or in other ways.
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The Australian Parachute Federaion wishes to nominate Phil Hindley for the Paul Tissandier Diploma in recognition of his exemplary service initiative and devotion to sport parachuting.
Phil Hindley retired on 4 July 2003 as National Examiner of the Australian Parachute Federation since his appointment in 1985, where he dedicated his life to working for the benefit of the Australian Parachute Federation, and has achieved a level of contribution to the sport’s development that would be the envy of any organisation. Since his retirement, Phil has maintained his judges rating, and has often travelled long distances to assist at parachuting competitions. His most recent notable effort was to serve as Chief Judge for the Australian National Championships in Canopy Piloting from 22 to 25 February 2006. Phil has now decided to retire from judging. The volume of expressions of both regret at his retirement, and appreciation for his work and has been a huge testament to Phil’s devotion to duty. Phil has been the National Examiner for the Australian Parachute Federation As national Examiner, Phil was responsible for ensuring the quality of the APF’s Instructor system, a system that is recognised world-wide for its quality, through the manuals.
Perhaps the most outstanding measure of the Phil’s service worthy of recognition is the establishment and development of the APF Team Trust. This Trust was established to provide support to Australian national teams preparing for international competition. Members were encouraged to donate to the trust on a tax-deductible basis, and the Trust quickly grew to a stage where it now supports teams with its earnings (some $25,000 p.a.). Although he will say that the Trust is the organisation’s initiative, the APF membership is happy in the knowledge that the Trust would never have been successful without his work.
On behalf of the APF, I wish to nominate Phil Hindley for the Paul Tissandier Diploma.
Born in 1926, a glider pilot since 1961 and still active, he has participated in the organization of no less than 33 national and international competitions and continues to be very active as an administrator and coordinator in his aero club.
Mr. Jiirí Dvorák performed his first parachute jump duty in 1970 and has now made 3030 jumps. He has been a parachuting instructor since 1981, and since 1991 assistant trainer of the Czech National Women Parachuting Team. He is the organizer of the Czech Parachuting Cup in Accuracy Landing. During the last European Parachuting Championships in Accuracy and Style he served as the Assistant Chief Judge. He is nominated for his whole life’s work for parachuting.
Mr. Milan Horvát is a former parachutist and member of the Czech National Parachuting Team. For twenty years he has also held a Private Pilot’s Licence. He has made more than 2 000 jumps and 2 500 flying hours. In the last five years, he has helped as Antonov An-2 pilot during the training of the Czech National Parachuting Team and worked as pilot at many National and International parachuting competitions, and at last year’s European Parachuting Championships in Accuracy and Style in Prostejov, Czech Republic. He is nominated for his whole life’s work for parachuting
Financial Manager Per Wistisen, born in 1950, obtained his glider license in 1966, aged 16. Since then he has dedicated all his interest to gliding and airsport in general. He obtained his PPL in 1968 in order to serve as a glider tow-pilot, which he did from 1973 onwards. Due to his talent for leadership, he has been an executive board member of The Danish Glider Association since 1983. For many years he has served as a very respected treasurer.
As a delegate, he represents the Royal Danish Aeroclub in negotiations with national and international authorities. Recently, he has been elected as an observer in the board of Europe Airsport. His personal attitude and the effort he still puts into Danish Airsport make him a very valuable member of the Danish air sports family.
As a senior officer in the Ministry of Defence, Mr Matti Ahola has in recent years contributed in a very positive way to the environment of aviation sports in Finland. He has given support to aviation sports during his career in the Finnish Air Force, finally as Air Force Commander. Mr Ahola has also trained several private pilots and continues Air Sports with an amphibian Cessna 170.
Zoran Ivanov was born in Skopje in 1949. He started to occupy himself with aeronautical sport in his youth when he had became a parachutist at the age of 17, and a pilot at age 20. He graduated as a journalist at the University of Skopje. From 1999 to 2005 he was Secretary General of the NAC of the F.Y.R. of Macedonia. Among his contributions, he organized many sporting activities and prepared many teams for taking part in international competitions. He took part in many world parachuting championships as a competitor ( eg USA 1971, Hungary 1974).
Yves Rousseau attempted his first human-powered flight with flapping wings in 1995. On 20 April 2006, at his 212th attempt, he succeeded in flying a distance of 64 metres, observed by officials of the Aero Club de France. Unfortunately, on his 213th flight attempt, a gust of wind led to a wing breaking up, causing the pilot to be gravely injured (paraplegic). M. Rousseau deserves international recognition for his 13 years of work on human-powered ornithopter flight.
Peter Pfalzgraf has been very closely involved with parachuting since 1978. At the club level he has been the equipment, competition and training supervisor and president of "Fallschirmsportgemeinschaft Berlin"; in the Berlin Association of the DAeC he has been a skydiving instructor, examiner, inspector and a State expert advisor for sports parachuting. At the National level he has long been active as a DAeC judge for canopy formation competitions. As cadre chief and captain of the National 8-way Canopy Formation Team, as well as treasurer of the Parachuting Commission in the DAeC his energies are highly valued even today. Following various sporting successes in team and formation accuracy landing at the State level, Peter Pfalzgraf was able to gain a World Championship and beyond that countless National and International titles and records over the last 28 years.
Gerhard Waibel’s name is a synonym for perfect engineering, the basis for many decades of guaranteeing superb development of gliders and motorized gliders. His gliders, very well known with their prefix "ASW", have achieved a world-wide reputation. Only two examples - ASW 22 and ASW 28 - will be mentioned from his long series of designs. Numerous championships and world records were achieved thanks to his perfect design work, thereby allowing Hans Werner Grosse his legendary world record flight in 1972 from Lübeck (Germany) to Biarritz (France), a straight flight of 1 460.8 km in his ASW 12, which was unbeaten until 2003. Gerhard Waibel is always open to new ideas and trends, improving the development of high-end gliders for competition use, and through his work he has been a trendsetter for many years. He is an acknowledged specialist and speaker at national and international meetings. His commitment in helping young glider pilots to improve their sporting ability or university graduates in the field of aerospace science can always be counted upon and is always very much welcomed. The German Aero Club wishes to honour his decades-long activity for the air sports community by presenting the Paul Tissandier Diploma to Gerhard Waibel.
Mr Bela Kassai began flying gliders at high school. His first international competition was in 1970 in East Germany. He was six times champion at Hungarian National Championships. Between 1979-1998, he participated six times in European Championships. At 2002, in Bekescsaba, he was competition director of the 11th European Championship. He was the competition director from 2000 of all National championships in Hungary. At the same time he was the chief of the Hungarian Gliding Association. For many years he was the representative of Hungary at FAI conferences, and twice he acted as steward at FAI European Championships. He worked so much for the sport of gliding and richly deserved the Paul Tissandier Diploma.
Mr. John J. Molloy is currently Honorary Secretary General of the National Aero Club of Ireland and has tirelessly promoted sporting aviation for many years. He has given a life-time commitment to promoting aeromodelling in Ireland and has organised provincial and national championships as well as managing international teams.
Itzhak Raz (Razchik), Attorney-at-law, is the Chief Investigator of Aviation Accidents and Incidents, Ministry of Transportation. Since he took office in 2002 he completely revolutionized the operation and activities of this function, thus dramatically enhancing air safety. He trained hundreds of junior investigators among persons active in all facets of aviation, in particular GA and sport pilots. Born in 1952, and a graduate of the Flight School of the Israel Air Force (F-4, F-16), he was later assigned to flight safety, and became the Chief of the investigation branch, retiring as Lt. Col. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration, as well as a L.LB.
Born on May 5th, 1949 in Biella, Pietro Bacchi’s profession is secondary school teacher.
He began air sports with Hang Gliding in 1974 and Paragliding in 1985. In 1978, he joined the board of directors of the Italian Federation as Training Officer; in 1981 he was nominated Secretary General and, in 1989, President of the Federation. He was co-founder, in 1997, of the EHPU, European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union where, in 2003, he took the office of President. In 1980 he won the Italian Hang Gliding Championship. A certified instructor and examiner of the Aero Club d'Italia for Hang Gliding and Paragliding, he has been Director since1989 of a certified HG & PG school. As contest organizer and administrator, he has been: Director of Organizing Committee for three Italian HG and four PG championships. Director of Organizing Committee for 1988 pre-world HG and 1999 HG world championships. President of HG & PG Committee and delegate in the Central Sporting Committee of Aero Club d’Italia. Co-founder and President Assistant of CSA – Air Sport Confederation Italian FAI-CIVL delegate for 2005 and 2006. Member of the Federal Council of Aero Club d’Italia.
- Born in Naples on the 1st October 1929 - Member of national water polo team he won the world championship in London - He took part in Olympic Games in 1952 and 1958 - He obtained his private pilot’s licence for aeroplanes and in 1979 American, Swiss and Italian commercial pilot licences. - He totalled over 1000 flight hours with twin-engined aeroplanes (King Air) and 750 flight hours the Cessna Citation jet. - He obtained his Italian and American helicopter pilot licences and has flown more than 400 flight hours. A famous Italian actor, a popular and charismatic figure, he has made an essential contribution to the development of aeronautic activities in Italy by introducing many young people to flight activity, whose lives have subsequently been changed by aviation.
- Born in Catania in 1954.- Graduated in aeronautical engineering and worked as university researcher - In Italian air registration board, since 1980, worked on aircraft and aeronautical enterprise certification. - He participated in the field of investigation of aeronautical accidents - In 1985 he obtained his aircraft private pilot’s licence - In 1996 he became General Director of the Air Registration Board and since 1999 is vice-director of the National Civil Aviation Agency. - From 2001 to 2004 he was JAA Committee Chairman and now he is the Italian member in the Management Board of the European Aviation Safety Agency and in the Provisional Council of Eurocontrol where in 2004 he acted as President of the permanent Commission. With his expert work in the field of civil aviation he has contributed meaningfully to the development of aeronautics.
Started in 1989, “Sky Leisure Japan” is one of the most important yearly air sports events planned by JCAB in order to promote air sports. Masaru Ide has been the flight operations director of this event since 1998 and has conducted the event without accidents for eight years. He has also contributed to demonstrating know how for safe flight operation of air sports events throughout Japan. President of Toho Air Service Co. Ltd. And member of the board of various aviation related organizations, he has contributed to enhancing the safety of air sports, especially for small aircraft and helicopter sports.
Director of the board of the Japan Balloon Federation since 1983, Koji Shimamura contributed greatly to reforming and establishing the stable financial system which the Federation currently uses. Since 1994, as a member of the Safety Committee, he improved various systems such as pilot, instructor and examiner systems in response to the increasing number of pilots and balloons. He now serves as instructor for pilot seminars and instructor seminars in various parts of Japan and is also event director of the Japan Honda Grand Prix "Watarase Balloon Race".
Makoto Yamada has provided distinguished service to the development of model rockets in Japan. In 1970, he intended to import and launch model rockets, but this was virtually impossible, given Japan’s stringent regulations concerning the handling of explosives. After years of hard negotiations with the competent authorities, he established the Japan Association of Rocketry in 1990, introduced various safety measures and succeeded in having the relevant laws revised and restrictions loosened to make launching of model rockets possible. As a result, for the last ten years, tens of thousands of model rocket launches have taken place without accidents and thousands of instructors have been trained. Through these activities he contributed greatly to spreading knowledge of space rockets and launching techniques.
Mr Lee has been highly recognized as a highly-skilled micro-paraglider in Korea for the past 20 years. Also as the President of the microlight association, he has been successfully promoting the sport in Korea by working to increase the population of aero sports nationwide and holding numerous championship events. His contributions make him a highly worthy recipient of the prestigious Paul Tissandier Diploma.
Rolandas Mackus was born in 1969. He is a multiple champion of Lithuania in the F1B free flight aeromodelling class. He works very hard at popularizing aeromodelling sport in Lithuania. He coaches young sportsmen, organizes and sponsors the teams’ participation in international competitions. The Lithuanian junior team which was led by him, won 1st team place and a member of the team Marius Bliujus won the 3rd place individually at the 5th Junior European Aeromodelling Championship - Free Flight in 2005. R. Mackus himself participates in international competitions. He won 2nd place in the F1B class (European Free Flight Championships in 2004, Buzau, Romania). He is the winner of several prizes in the World Cup contest stages in F1B class (Puszta cup, Eifelpokal, Summer cup and many others).
Marcel Felten started his aviation career in the early eighties, acquiring his private pilot license in 1981. So far, he managed to total 1200 hours as pilot in command (VFR only), using general aviation aircraft to fly exclusively for recreation and personal transportation.
Alongside his flying activities Marcel Felten is also wholeheartedly involved in representational duties, defending the interests of sports- and general aviation flying activities on many fronts. He was associated with club management duties acting as Secretary General and member of the committee of the AEROSPORT flying club for three years. He then joined AOPA-Luxembourg as Secretary General as early as 1985. From 1996 to the end of 2005 he was President of AOPA Luxembourg and acted during his tenure also as Senior Vice-President for the European Region of IAOPA for seven years.
Currently he is Vice-President of the Fédération Aéronautique Luxembourgeoise (FAL) and has been actively involved with FAI and Europe Air Sports as a Technical Officer first, and since 2005 as vice-president and member of the board of Europe Air Sports. He represents the interests of sports and recreational aviation at the international level, liaising with Eurocontrol and the European Commission. As such, he is an active member of many committees and working groups dealing primarily with airspace and related matters. In Luxembourg his voice is heard at all political levels. Thanks to his drive and determination and perseverance as a member of the consultative board on general aviation matters at Ministerial level, sports and general aviation activities can still be pursued in Luxembourg under reasonable conditions.
George Rogers has been a glider pilot for 38 years and until recently, a very active gliding instructor, including a trainer of instructors. At local club level he has held many support roles, from Treasurer through Chief Flying Instructor, Chief Engineer, Chief Flying Instructor and President, holding some of these posts for many years. At National level he has been a member of the Gliding New Zealand Executive Committee for 14 years, holding the position of Vice President for four years. He has also held the top operational position for Gliding New Zealand, that of National Operations Officer. He is Vice President of the New Zealand Aviation Federation. From the very beginning of his gliding career, George Rogers has devoted his personal time administration of the sport, sacrificing time for his personal flying.
Peter Thorpe’s first glider solo was in 1960. He has been an active gliding instructor for the past 20 years, about half of that as Chief Flying Instructor of his club. He has been a committee member of his club for 21 years, including six years as President. At National level he has been a member of the Gliding New Zealand Executive Committee for 11 years, holding the position of President for five years. During this time as President, Peter Thorpe guided Gliding New Zealand through the process of organisational certification under new CAA rules. He was also instrumental in introducing a revised glider pilot trained syllabus.
For much of his gliding career, Peter Thorpe has devoted his personal time to administration of the sport, often sacrificing time for his personal flying.
Fredrik Dahl was one of the pioneers who introducing hang-gliding in Norway. In 1974 he was elected the first chairman of the Norwegian Hang Glider Club, the predecessor of the Hang Glider Section of the Norwegian Air Sports Federation. Subsequently, in 1981, he was a driving force to introduce Microlight aviation to Norway and was for several years a member of the board of the Microlight Section of the Norwegian Aero Club. His work to get both Hang Glider and Microlight sports accepted and approved by the authorities and organized within the air sports family has been instrumental for the development of these sports in Norway.
Born on 21th February,1932, and active in sport aviation since 1939, she is now over 74 years old, but she still participates in glider competitions. A first class glider and airplane instructor pilot, she has 3800 flying hours on gliders (over 135 000 km), and 250 flying hours on powered planes. She remains a very active member of Aero Club Leszczynski at Leszno and Leszno Senior Aviation Club and is employed at the Civil Aviation Office of the Republic of Poland. Mrs Maksymiliana Czmiel-Paszyc established 4 world records and 5 national records for Poland in gliding. She was 3 times Vice-Champion of Europe, twice Champion and 7 times Vice-Champion of Poland. In 1955 she was decorated with a Medal for Prominent Sporting Achievements (Medal za Wybitne Osiagniecia Sportowe), and since 1960 has had the title "Sport Champion". The Aero Club of Poland decorated Mrs. Maksymiliana Czmiel-Paszyc with a badge and the title of Meritorious Medal for Sport Aviation (Zasluzony Dzialacz Lotnictwa Sportowego).
Born on 10th February, 1927, and an instructor pilot (since 1952) for gliders, airplanes, helicopters and aero-modellers, he has been flying gliders since 1947, and powered planes just a little bit later. Between 1953-1969 he was in turn chief - pilot of the Aero Club at Ostrów Wlkp. and the the Glider School of Aero Club of Poland at Leszno Wlkp. After that, he acted as manager of the Rescue Company in Poznan. All this time he kept permanent contact with Leszno where many times he was a committee member organizing Polish, European and World Championships. Mr. Mlocek is even today still a perfect instructor and chief of the glider-towing group. Although he is over 79, his pilot license is still valid. His total flying hours - gliders, airplanes and helicopters - is over 11.000. Józef Mlocek is a very famous worker for popularization, and takes part in many air shows promoting sports aviation in our society. He presides over the Leszno Senior Aviation Club and is also a member of the board of the Aviation Club "Loteczka". He has a Gold Badge with 3 Diamonds and the title of Honorary Member of the Aero Club of Poland and has been distinguished with many state and sport awards.
Mrs. Isabel Bandeira de Mello (Rilvas) is a most remarkable and uncontested figure in the history of general and sporting aviation in Portugal. During more than 50 years of activity, completed in August of 2004, she flew in different countries, participated in aeronautical competitions and piloted the most diverse types of aeroplanes in existence at the time. Having obtained several first places, she became a reference figure for general aviation and the cause of aeronautical sports. She is considered, for her devotion, initiative and efforts, to be an example to be followed by all who are interested in aviation.
Mr Gladchenko has been engaged in helicopter sports flying since 1983. A member of the national helicopter sports team from 1989, several times champion of the Armed Forces and winner of national championships of the former USSR and Russia. Bronze medal winner at the World Championship in1994, overall champion of Russia in 1996, overall winner of the Open Championship of Belarus (1999) and three times overall World champion (1999, 2002 and 2005), his record has been exemplary.
Honoured Master of Sports of Russia, Honoured Coach of Russia. Mr Krasnorutsky has been engaged in sports aeromodelling for nearly 60 years. Three times World Champion, three times European Champion, eight times world record holder, six times champion of the former USSR, multiple winner of international contests, he is also an International Judge and designer of 35 types of aeromodel engines, three of which are in mass production. The "Rhythm" engine, of which more than 200’000 have been produced, is used in various countries around the world. Mr B.N. Krasnorutsky has trained many famous aeromodellers and world record holders. He is the author of 12 inventions in aviation and aeromodelling and has several State Awards. For his many years’ great contribution to sport of aeromodelling he is considered highly worthy of the Paul Tissandier Diploma.
Engaged in helicopter sports flying since 1985, and a member of the national helicopter sports team from 1989, he was several times champion of the Armed Forces and winner of national championships of the former USSR and Russia. Bronze medal winner at the World Championship in1994, and overall Champion of Russia in 1996. Overall winner of the Open Championship of Belarussia (1999). Three times overall World Champion (1999, 2002 and 2005).
Mr Vasilije Rankovic, now retired, was general manager of a flying centre for many years, and was one of the founders of the highly successful "Sremska Mitrovica". Its members were eight times world champions and have established or surpassed world records in spacemodelling seven times. Mr Rankovic, whose son is also a very successful pilot, has dedicated all his life to sporting aviation. He commenced his sporting carrier in 1952 as a glider pilot and parachutist. Later, he became a general aviation pilot and Yugoslav precision landing champion. He has trained more than 250 pilots and flight instructors.
In addition to his work as instructor and educator, he was very active in the NAC of Serbia and Montenegro as member of the Flight Safety Commission, and in GAC and CIVL.
Mr Anton Líska, born on September 7, 1949, has devoted the greater part of his life to air sports, especially parachuting. He began his career as a skydiver and has logged more than 800 sport jumps so far. As an instructor, e trained many young people. He has been actively working as a national and international judge and participated in various parachuting competitions. For 10 years he was a member of the IPC/FAI for Czechoslovakia and later for Slovakia. He also published a lot of articles about parachuting and sport aviation in the Czech and Slovak press. As Secretary General of the Slovak National Aeroclub, he continues to serve with skill, grace and distinction. He is nominated for his exceptional contribution to the promotion and development of flying sports in Slovakia and internationally.
Antonio Marchesi’s first contact with the high-level air sport competition was in 1992, at the World Microlight Championship, at Matila de los Caños (Valladolid) as a scoring judge. Until 1995, Antonio Marchesi was involved with the organization of various national championships, as a competition judge. In 1995 he obtained a microlight pilot’s licence, and from the start put great energy into competition flying. From then on, his Microlight career took off, with the following great achievements: 1999 First ever participation with the national team in the World Championship (Hungary) in first position for Rigid-Wing Single-Seater category, 2000 World Air Games, Beas de Seguras: Gold Medal, 2002 European Championship, Hungary: Silver Medal, Rigid Wing Single Seater, 2003 World Championship, England: Bronze Medal, Rigid Wing Single Seater, 2004 European Championship, Portugal: 6th place Rigid Wing Two Seat Class, 2005 World Championship, France: 11th place, Rigid Wing Two Seater. Since 2003 he has been President of the Microlight Commission of the Spanish Federation and representative for Spain in the CIMA, of which he is now 2nd Vice-President. He has contributed to the development of the use of Flight Recorders in microlight competitions.
Salvador Mogas Filvá, started Hang Gliding in April 1978. In 1979, he acted as a consultant to the board of the Delta Club Barcelona in the organizing of the Hang Gliding Championship of Spain; since 1980 he has himself been on this board of directors. He has also been President of the "Parapent Club Barcelona" since its foundation in 1994. At the federal level he was Vice-President of the Hang Gliding Commission from 1981 to 1984, and now acts in this Commission as Judges’ representative. At regional level, since 1988 he has been President of the Hang Gliding Commission of the Federation Aeria Catalana. He played a major role in the organization of the following events: 1994 Pre-World Cup Hang Glidng, Ager Lleida, 1995 CIVL Meeting, Ager Lleida, 1995 World Cup Hang Gliding, Ager Lleida, 1996 1st World Cup of Speed Gliding. Castejon de Sos, 1996 Premundial Parapente Castejon de Soso, Huesca, 1997 World Cup Castejon de sos, huesca, 2000 CIVL Meeting, Sitges Barcelona, 2006 Pre-World Cup Paragliding Ager Llieda, 2001 Total of Spanish Championships of Hang Gliding: 13, 2002 Total of Spanish Championships of Paragliding: 5, 2003 Director of the Catalan League of Paragliding: 2 years, 2004 Director of the Catalan League of Hang Gliding: 23 years
Erich Zweifel began his career as a gas balloon pilot in the year 1972. Since then, he has participated in many national and international competitions. His enormous efforts have significantly contributed to promoting sport ballooning in Switzerland. In 1992 he began to research the history of the Zurich Balloon Sport Group. He has now completed and published a very interesting retrospective book containing over 690 pages and many pictures. His great commitment to sport and the history of sport makes him a deserving recipient for a Tissandier Diploma.
Born in 1947, Mr. Mehmet Fikret Özcan is a pilot, parachutist, and aero-modeller. The founder of many aviation branches in various schools, Mr. Özcan has organized many school trips to aviation destinations, doing pioneering work by inaugurating aircraft and aviation courses and training several hundred students. He also has received many awards in championships. In 1989 he bought a Piper L-18C wreck from TAA and exerted great efforts over 2 years to rebuild it. He has now flown over 1.000 hours in this plane and has also flown over 1.000 aviation enthusiasts as air experience passengers, free of charge. He also rebuilt a Bellanca 7 GCBC he received from TAA and still takes aviation enthusiasts and flies them free of charge. He is an author for the TAA Uçantürk magazine for the last 6 years. Mr. Mehmet Fikret Özcan, is a true devotee to sporting aviation and richly deserves the FAI Paul Tissandier Diploma for his effective initiatives and promotion of air sports among youngsters.
Born in 1968, Mr. Senol Sergen is an Aeronautical Engineer. His subject areas including Project Technical Management, Systems Engineering, Software Development, Flight Mechanics, Flight Test Engineering, Aircraft Configuration Design, Experimental Aerodynamics, and Missile Aerodynamics. He has worked at Turkish Airlines and the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) in different positions. He has been working at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) since 1996 and is renowned for his extensive studies on UAVs. He began his career as Aerial Target Systems Lead Engineer where he was responsible for pre-contract and contract activities of Target Drone (an indigenous development and delivery program to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF)) and TAI’s other UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) related programs, design and development of a network-based ground control system (GCS) software for UAVs and improvement of the software to form a rugged zed laptop based tactical ground control station and conducting flight tests. Mr. Senol Sergen is currently Chief of UAV Project Systems in the Design and Engineering Department of TAI where he is responsible for engineering and technical project management activities for the new UAV development projects, including proposal and sub-contract technical management and development of medium-altitude long endurance reconnaissance UAVs. He is also the author of many publications related to aviation.
Brian Spreckley crowned an outstanding competition career by winning the World Gliding Championships in 1987, and has served the sport of gliding with great energy and dedication for over 25 years. He was BGA National Coach for several years before forming the European Soaring Club with his wife Gill. Brian Spreckley has been responsible for a number of coaching initiatives in the UK and Europe that are underpinned by his highly effective and dedicated approach to soaring and racing pilot development. In 2001, Brian directed a very successful World Gliding Championship at Mafeking in South Africa.
As one of the founders of the highly successful British Team Coaching system, Brian remains very active as a leading coach and is currently the British Gliding Team Manager. Brian’s vision, leadership and ability to identify and develop talented pilots are instrumental in the British gliding team’s unparalleled and ongoing success. Brian has represented the UK at the IGC for many years and now serves as a Vice President of the IGC Bureau.
Scott Crossfield was the quintessential aviator. As the first man to fly Mach 2 and Mach 3, he piloted the X-15 into history, and today it graces the center of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. In 1983, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and in 1961, he was the recipient of the Collier Trophy, among many of the honors bestowed. Throughout his life, he was dedicated to training pilots. For the Centennial of Flight celebration in 2003, Mr Crossfield was the Director of Flight Operations, a role he relished; he was training pilots to fly the Wright Brothers replica. Considered one of the first engineer test pilots - an aeronautical engineer pilot who understood intimately the design characteristics of the craft he was flying, Mr. Crossfield was completely immersed in aviation, both as a pilot and as an aviation education supporter. His time and energy to aviation education is enshrined in the A. Scott Crossfield Teacher of the year award, given at the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education. He established this award to recognize innovative classroom work to promote and use aviation. He also supported the work of the Aerospace Education Foundation of the Air Force Association and never stinted on career advice to any aspiring pilot. At 84, he was still giving lectures on the aeronautical engineering aspects of aircraft design, conducting informal discussions with students on the principles of flight, and providing funds for transportation for students to attend aviation conferences. As a writer and lecturer, he travelled the United States, visiting colleges and universities, encouraging students to meet today’s aviation and space challenges. His own life was that of an inventive, disciplined, and adventurous man, who gave all to his aspirations and achievements. Despite the number of awards and recognitions, he remained quite modest and in response to one question about his accomplishments, he said, " I never thought I was making history, I thought I was making progress." The National Aeronautic Association is proud to present the name of A. Scott Crossfield as a candidate for the Tissandier Diploma.
As a test pilot, Wally Funk aspired to be the most challenged test pilot in the world: to be the first woman astronaut and to travel into space. That dream never came to pass, but her other dreams have put her in a class by herself. She is qualified to fly more than 30 types of airplanes and has participated in more than 10 air races - and placed. In 1974, she became the first woman to hold the title of accident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. She is also a prominent lecturer on aviation subjects. Originally the astronaut program was restricted to men, but once the Soviet space effort included women, NASA quietly followed suit. Ms. Funk was among the first 6 women who were trained and tested exactly like the men, except they never got to fly into space. A pilot since she was 16 and the chief flight instructor for the army in Fort Sill, Oklahoma by the time she was 20, Ms. Funk epitomizes the type of perseverance, ambition, and dedication that a pilot can bring to one’s life work. In recognition of all her accomplishments and her extraordinary career in aviation, Ms. Wally Funk richly deserves the Tissandier Diploma.
Eighty-five parachutists recently set a new mark with their canopy formation at the Florida Skydiving Center. Setting this new World Record was no minor feat, nor was the formation itself, a beautiful diamond more than 250 feet tall, weighing in at 8 tons, yet flying effortlessly through the sky. Its sheer beauty was visible for miles around and visible on air traffic radar. The teamwork to assemble and "break off" requires discipline and coordination, courage and determination: adherence to plan. The success of this endeavour is predicated on experience and preparation. Not only must the parachutists themselves be organized accurately for their jump times, but the pilots conducting the drops must also be on assigned altitudes, maintaining slow airspeeds for the exits. At the helm of producing this feat, David Richardson, the chief organizer and the crew he assembled, identified the moves, the timing, and the holds on all the canopies that would be used. For organizing the achievement by the 85-way Canopy World Record Team to produce a single diamond in the sky, David Richardson of USPA richly deserves the Tissandier Diploma.
