CIA RECORDS REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
MINUTES FOR MEETING
06 March 2002
In Riga, Latvia

Present: Karl Stefan (Chairman), Hans Akerstedt, Don Cameron, Sabu lchiyoshi.

Apologies: Norman Pritchard, Kevin Uliassi

1) Minutes of March 2001 were approved.

2) WORLD RECORDS:

Since the last CIA Meeting, ten World Record claims were reviewed and approved. Some discrepancies in the claims were discovered and resolved by communication with the Record Observer.

The matter of fees charged by National Aero Clubs for homologation of Record claims, and also for approval of Sporting Badge claims was discussed at length. It appears that some NAC's think of Records and Badges as fund raising programs rather than as a service to the sport. The Subcommittee therefore is presenting a Motion to the Plenary which reads as follows:

Motion:

"Change the title of Chapter 1 of the Sporting Code Section 1 from "Scope" to "General". Add paragraph "1.3 CHARGES: Charges levied by NAC's or delegated bodies for championship entrance, record homologation, or Sporting Badge issue must be kept low by subsidy or sponsorship where possible. Charges must in no case exceed the justifiable direct cost of the event concerned.

3) SPORTING BADGES:

Since the last CIA Meeting, five Sporting Badges have been validated, 2 silver and 3 gold, including 1 gold with 3 diamonds to David Hempleman-Adams.

In working with the Badge program we have noted a general lack of motivation for pilots to earn these badges, so we are repeating our thoughts of last year on how to stimulate the program. The actions we suggest are as follows:

1) List all Badge holders on the FAI website. The Records Subcommittee will coordinate this with the Web Master.

2) List all Badge holders in each issue of the CIA Newsletter. The Records Subcommittee will coordinate this with the CIA Secretary

3) Diamond Badge holders should be listed in the Notable Flight Register. This is in process.

4) '1 -meter drop" competitors be recognized at the event award ceremony and be issued a "One-Meter drop certificate. The PR Subcommittee will pursue this.

5) Lists of Badge holders be distributed to other Ballooning media. The PR Subcommittee will pursue this.

6) Insert presentation of 1-meter drop certificates in FAI event planning guides. No action on this as yet.

The procedures within the CIA are specified in scattered locations in CIA documents. We are proposing the following motion to consolidate a presentation of the procedures into one place.

Motion:

Insert into the CIA Internal Regulations as paragraph 11.2 the following wording "In general terms, the PR Subcom administers the overall program and make arrangements for design, procurement, and delivery of awards. The Records Subcom monitors the Badge system, validates Claims, and maintains a Register of Badges awarded.

The specific actions are as follows:

The PR/Logo WG oversees the Badge program, and maintains a supply of low cost badges, and a source for precious badges.

As specified in the General Section and Section 1, an NAC approves a Badge claim and forwards it to the FAI. For ballooning, the country's balloon federation when so delegated acts for the NAC. The FAI in turn sends it to Records Subcom Badge Registrar for CIA validation and registration. The Registrar then notifies the PR Subcom badge person and the NAC (or Balloon Fed) that this Claim has been approved. The NAC (or Balloon Fed) purchases from the CIA PR/Logo WG a badge for presentation to the Pilot."

4) RECORD CLAIM TIME LIMITS

General Section paragraphs 6.8.1, 6.8.2, and 6.8.4 all specify time limits for certain aspects of record claim procedures. In paragraphs 6.8.1 and 6.8.4 time extensions may be granted by the President of CASI. For paragraph 6.8.2 there is no provision for a time extension.

The Subcommittee points out that in our world exceptional circumstances do inevitably sometimes arise, and that provision for time extension must be provided in all three paragraphs. Further, on such occasions the President of the Airsport Commission concerned is in closer touch with prevailing circumstances and is in a much better position to render a timely judgment on whether a time extension is justified. Therefore we propose this motion,

Motion quote:

"That the General Section, Paragraphs 6.8.1, 6.8.2, and 6.8.4 be revised to permit that time extensions be granted in exceptional circumstances by the President of the Airsport Commission concerned"

(5) WORLD RECORD OBSERVERS

In our reviewing process we have noted in several cases that the Observer does not understand technical and procedural needs for a competent validation of a claim. We recommend that all ballooning countries establish an observer qualification requirement to insure expeditious and adequate reporting on record attempts. The UK already has such a program which is available for study by other organizations.

The Subcommittee has noted a case in which a National Aero Club has repeatedly appointed an observer with an obvious conflict of interest for that particular record attempt. The Subcommittee suggests that the FAI take note and investigate accordingly.

(6) HEAVY GAS PERFORMANCE ANAMOLY

It has been pointed out to the Subcommittee that with balloon volumes adjusted in accordance with the FAI gas equivalence rules, when solar heating is present a heavy lifting gas such as ammonia has an advantage over a light lifting gas such as hydrogen in altitude performance. Calculations by the Subcommittee indicate that this is theoretically true, possibly of sufficient magnitude to exceed record tolerances. The Subcommittee decided that in consideration of the multitude of factors that can affect any flight, creating a special rule to recognize this heavy gas factor is not justified.

(7) PAPERWORK CHANGES

Motion:

In Sporting Code Section 1, modify Record Claim Form 1 to show the organization that appointed the Official Observer.

It is suggested to the FAI headquarters that the takeoff and landing positions be included in the announcement of new World Records.

The Records Subcommittee will also make this change in Reviewer Reports to the FAI.

(8) NOTABLE FLIGHT REGISTER

Hans Akerstedt has further refined this Register to the point where it is a highly useful historical reference. Plans are proceeding to make this available on the FAI web site, as well as possible publishing in hard copy. Hans will give the Plenary a verbal presentation on this development.

A list of "Best performances in Montgolfier year 2001" is attached for information.

Also, the Records Subcommittee is issuing Notable Achievement Certificates as shown in the attached list.

(9) BUDGET FOR 2002

Records Review Subcommittee Expenses have been minimal, but should be set the same as last year's budget. (US$)

(10) MEMBERSHIP

The Subcommittee membership for the coming year is proposed as follows:

Karl Stefan (Chairman), Hans Akerstedt, Don Cameron, Sabu lchiyoshi, Norman Pritchard, Kevin Uliassi.

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