CIA President, Jean-Claude Weber, welcomed Delegates and thanked Subcommittee and Working Group members for their work during the past year.

He then welcomed guests – FAI’s Jean-Marc Badan, representing Max Bishop, the FAI Secretary General.

Introduction of Mr. Gavrilov, and presentation of FAI Air Sports Medal

Thanks to the City of Dmitrov, the local authorities, the Russian NAC and delegate Yuri Taran, the local balloonists, for the meeting arrangements and the efficient help of Marina Faustova,

Thanks to all CIA members, especially SC and WG members, and to our secretary.

The Plenary Meeting then commenced with a moment of silence in respect of the following recently departed member of the ballooning community, especially:

Chris Marshall – Kenya

Apologies for absence were received from:

Tom Mikloušic, Croatia; Rutger Coucke, Netherlands; Juraj Brezan, Slovak Republic; Branko Ambrozic, Slovenia, Tom McCormack, Ireland; Carles Llado-Costa and Angel Aguirre, Spain.

 

4.1 Abbreviations
(In brackets are the abbreviations used throughout the minutes whenever referring to a specific person)

GRAND TOTAL = 23 + 11 + 16 = 50

The Secretary called the roll and established that there were 24 voting members present plus 3 valid Proxies, making 27 votes in total, being sufficient for a Quorum (IR 3.2.3)

Special welcome to new delegates and alternate delegates:

Revaz Uturgauri, Georgia
Abdul Nasser, United Arab Emirates

Delegates were reminded that the agenda order would be established by the President (IR 3.6.1).

Proposal from the chair to move item #23 Structure of the CIA Special Working Group Report and proposals to agenda item 13, just after Delegate Reports.

No one opposed the proposal.

Delegates were reminded of the procedures in respect of:
Motions (IR 3.7)
Rules of Debate (IR 3.8)

Jean-Marc Badan (FAI) and Alyona Ilinskaya were nominated as the Counting Committee (IR 3.11.4)

The Delegates were reminded of the CIA Policy Documents in force for the meeting.

There was no New Business

The number of votes required to achieve an Absolute Majority was declared as 14.

The number of votes required for a New Motion (2/3 Majority) was declared as 18.

Announced that numbers for the absolute and two-thirds majorities and that these numbers will only change as a result of delegates arriving late or leaving early who formally notify the chair.

The Chair announced that the procedure to be adopted for the nomination of President, Vice Presidents and Secretary would be that; nominations should be submitted to the counting committee (Jean-Marc Baden) by 0900 on Saturday 11^th March 2006. The election would then be as set out in the CIA Internal Regulations.

Code applies to the CIA meeting. CIA members concerned should declare their respective conflict of interest to the FAI General Secretary.

7. MINUTES OF THE 2005 PLENARY MEETING 

7.1 Motion: The Minutes of the 2005 Plenary meeting be approved:

Switzerland, Seconded by Austria

The Chair stated that Subcommittee actions would be taken during the Subcommittee Reports.

8. CIA BUREAU ACTIONS                                                            Appendix 1

The Chair reported on the actions taken by the Bureau in the previous 12 months.

The Dutch delegate questioned the Bureau decision to financially support Masashi Kakuda and Mark Sullivan to attend the FAI Event Directors Seminar in Copenhagen/Denmark in April. The delegate indicated that he was participating as well and that he requested to be treated equally. He also felt that this was not an urgent matter and that therefore the Bureau did not have to decide this issue.

The President informed the Plenary that many others also will attend the Seminar (JCW, Pat Brake, John Grubbstrom, Janne Balkedal) without requesting compensation, and that the registration deadline for this Seminar had been earlier than the dates for Plenary and that therefore the matter had to be dealt with by the Bureau. He also justified the Bureau’s decision on the grounds that both subsidised participants are experienced Event Directors who will report back to the Plenary.

Request by Netherlands for the Bureau to publish their actions to date in the immediately before the Plenary.

9. FAI AIR SPORT COMMISSION PRESIDENTS MEETING

The President gave an outline of the report published with the Agenda. Highlights included:

There were no questions about the report.

Details in "FAI General Conference 2005 Report By The CIA President"             Appendix 2

FAI Representative, Jean-Marc Badan gave a report on FAI activities in 2005 and the business of the 2005 FAI General Conference. Highlights include:

11. REPORTS FROM CASI REPRESENTATIVE

Details in "FAI General Conference 2005 Report By The CIA President"            Appendix 2

12. REPORTS FROM DELEGATES

The Delegates from the countries in attendance presented their reports to the meeting.

Georgia submitted a written report                                                                       Appendix 4

13.  CIA STRUCTURE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP                                Appendix 5

Alex Nagorski (CAN) reported on the work of the Special Working Group.

The CIA implement a new Bureau structure where each member of the Bureau is directly responsible for the overall operation of one or more subcommittees, working groups and/or areas.

The Bureau is the executive body of the CIA, implementing the policies and decisions of the FAI General Conference, FAI Executive Board and the CIA Plenary, and exercising those powers of the CIA Plenary that are delegated to it by that body and by the FAI Statutes, By-Laws and Sporting Code

The Bureau, chaired by the CIA President, is jointly accountable to the CIA Plenary for all decisions made and actions taken between CIA Plenary sessions. Its duties shall include, but not be limited to:

Decisions of the Bureau shall be effective as soon as practicable.

Rules for meetings, agenda and voting are set forth in the CIA Internal Regulations.

Motion Carried: For - 18, against – 0, abstain - 7

13.2 Motion #2

The CIA Bureau shall consist of 5 persons:

President:

Motion Carried: For - for 22, opposed – 0, abstain – 4

The Bureau or another Working Group develop a long range strategic plan for the CIA by working with delegates, NAC’s and the FAI to identify expectations and directions.

13.3 Motion: Not to change anything on the election procedure for 1st year. To be reviewed at the 2007
Plenary.

Motion by: Netherlands/Sweden

Motion Carried: For - 26, opposed – 0, abstain – 1

13.4 Motion: The responsibilities of Vice Presidents will be decided after the vote for the Vice Presidents.

Motion by: France/USA

Motion defeated: For 3, opposed -18 , abstain 6

15. REPORT OF THE OFFICIALS SUBCOMMITTEE                                                 Appendix 7

Martine Besnainou reported on the work of the Subcommittee and highlighted several recommendations from the SC.

On a motion from the Chair the Report was approved unanimously

Pat Brake (USA) reported on the work of the PR and Development Subcommittee.

16.1 Motion: The CIA create an Organizers information CD, to be distributed to potential CIA sanctioned
event organizers. Cost approximately 100 Euros

16.2 Motion: The CIA create a commemorative Gordon Bennett Centenary long sleeves T-shirts for resale
through the FAI on-line shop. Cost approximately 2000 Euros

16.3 Motion: The CIA provide support to the youth camp at 2006 Langenselbold,/Hesse/Germany for the amount of 1500 Euros.

Motion was approved unanimously

The new name of the Subcommittee will be: Public and Media Relations.

17.    REPORT OF THE EVENT PLANNING AND ADVISORY SERVICE                 Appendix 9

Alex Nagorski (CAN) reported on the work of the Event Planning and Advisory Service.

Sanction applications will be presented later in the Plenary agenda.

On a motion from the Chair the Report was approved unanimously

 

Hans Åkerstedt (SWE) gave a verbal report on the activities of the Subcommittee during the year.

18.1 Motion 1: The Records Subcommittee propose that Karl Stefan is appointed Honorary Chairman of the
subcommittee

18.2 Motion 2: That the name of the subcommittee is changed to Records Subcommittee

Motion withdrawn, already approved by a previous decision

18.3 Motion 3: Sporting code Section 1, 4.1, RECORD CATEGORIES

The subcommittee recommend that the definition of Feminine category is changed , with immediate effect, by deleting the last part of the present definition marked below.

In this category all occupants must be female unless it is shown that an occupant could have made no contribution to the flight.

Motion Deferred until next year. Definition of "occupants" be studied by Statutes and Sporting Code WG

18.4 Motion 4: The subcommittee recommend that Brian Jones, UK, is awarded a Gold badge with 3
diamonds as an exception from the provisions of rule 8.2.2 of Section 1.

Motion was approved unanimously

18.5 Recommendation: The subcommittee recommend that inexpensive badges may be obtained in smaller
number than the present full set of 21.

Recommendation will be handled by the Public & Media SC

 

18.6 Motion 6: That a Fly On goal is accepted as declared in accordance with Section 1, 8.2.3.2, with immediate effect. The wording for the Sporting Code will be worked out by the Statutes WG.

18.7 Motion 7: The subcommittee recommended that Gold with 3 diamonds shall continue to be the highest
badge value and that a note stating so shall be included in Section 1, 8.2.1.3.

18.8 Motion 8: The subcommittee recommend that the duration requirement for diamond is reduced to 12
hours for class AX with immediate effect.

18.9 Motion 9: That airships is added to Section 1, rule 8.2 with immediate effect.

CIA SPORTING BADGES shall be awarded by the CIA to pilots for achievements, which do not require to be renewed, in FREE BALLOONS (FAI Class A) or AIRSHIPS (FAI Class B). For goal flights only free balloons may be used.

18.10 Motion 10: The subcommittee recommend that with immediate effect the following new rules in the Sporting Code, Section 1 apply for badge flights.

8.2.3.3 Altitude.

For badge flights the rules in Section 1, 4.8.1 applies.

8.2.3.4 Distance

For badge flights the rules in Section 1, 4.8.2 applies.

Bengt Stener (SWE) reported on the work of the Safety Subcommittee

19.1 Motion: Update Appendix 2 of the Safety Handbook.

Motion approved - abstain 1

19.2 Motion: The Safety Sub-committee recommends the Rules Sub-committee to consider implementing fixed penalties for collisions.

The new name of the Subcommittee will be: Safety and Education SC

Alan Blount (USA) reported on the work of the Competitors Subcommittee.

20.1 Motion: There shall be a member of the EDS who is also a member of CSC and is nominated by the CSC.

Motion was approved unanimously

21. REPORT OF THE RULES SUBCOMMITTEE                                            Appendix 13

Masashi Kakuda (JAP) reported on the work of the Rules Subcommittee:

(Statutes, By-Laws and Sporting Code-WG recommendations)

21.1 Motion: "That the CIA Plenary shall adopt the revised Chapter 13 – International Balloon and Airship Hall
of Fame of the CIA Internal Regulations as presented in Annex 3 to the WG’s Meeting Minutes".

(AA-WG recommendations)

21.2 Motion: That the MER of Gordon Bennett, version 2006 to be approved.

(Changed "Competition Director" to "Event Director" in all places)

Motion was approved unanimously

21.3 Motion: That the rules of 50th Gordon Bennett be approved.

(Scoring WG recommendations)

21.4 Motion: That the status of COH be changed as a mandatory document, be approved.

(AX-WG recommendations)

                    FAI World Online Contest PowerPoint Presentation                Attachment 4

Motion: The Tracking Working group to have a permanent CIA working group status.

The new name of the Working Group will be: CIA Online Contest Working Group

On a motion from the Chair the Report was approved unanimously

 

24.1 FAI Medico-Physiological Commission (CIMP)                                         Appendix 15

A report of the Commission meeting has been attached.

24.2 FAI Aerospace Education Commission

No report received

24.3 FAI Environmental Commission

No report received, but a report from the FAI Environmental Commission is available on the FAI Website.

24.4 FAI Simulated Flying Commission

Masashi Kakuda (JPN) gave a verbal report.

24.5 Europe Air Sports                                                                                         Appendix 16

Nominations for Commission representatives for 2006                 

There being no other nominations from the floor the following were elected as Chairmen of the CIA Subcommittees for 2006 by acclamation:

SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

On a motion from the Chair the Subcommittee Chairs were approved unanimously

26.    CIA ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNT, BUDGET AND INVENTORY  

The Secretary presented the CIA Administration Account for the Year to 31^st December 2005 and the expenses budget for the year to 31^st December 2006. Details of the CIA Stock inventory were distributed and their value now included in the Administrative account totals.

        CIA Administration account for 2005                                             Appendix 17a

        CIA Budget for 2006                                                                       Appendix 17b

        CIA Stock Inventory                                                                        Appendix 17c

Motion: to approve Secretaries financial report:

Motion from the Chair to approve the 2006 Budget, seconded by USA

Motion was approved unanimously

27.  SANCTIONED EVENTS

Event name: 17^TH WORLD HOT AIR BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP 2006

Verbal report presented by Masashi Kakuda (JPN)

Ukraine raised the issue about their participation at the 17^th World Hot Air Balloon Championship in Japan. They were affected by the application of the "no-show" rule in the Sporting Code Section 1.

Motion: To accept new business under this item:

                Motion by Ukraine, seconded by Poland

Motion was approved unanimously

The Ukrainian Delegate presented his case.

One of the two nominated Ukrainian pilots didn’t manage to participate in the 16^th World Championship in 2004 in Australia and was qualified by the Event Director and confirmed by the Jury as "No-Show" entrant.

By some reason the Organisers didn’t get a notice from Ukraine, which was sent by e-mail. Also Ukrainian NAC didn’t get a letter from CIA President because their perestroika and elections of new people

According to the Rule 5.6.6.4 SC S1

"… for the next Event of the same type a no-show’s NAC will have its entitlement to entries reduced by the number of its no-shows in previous event."

Ukraine has gotten an Invitation from Japan for the 17^th World Championship and sent back the Acceptance of Invitation in time, but: 1-1 = 0

Some points why we feel that it is not fair:

There was considerable discussion about how this would impact other countries competitors but the Plenary felt that this was an exceptional circumstance and should be handled as one of a kind.

Motion: To make (to grant) an exception of applying the Rule 5.6.6.4 ("No Show") of Sporting Code Section 1 for Ukraine for participation in 17^th World Championship.

    Motion made by Ukraine, seconded by: Poland

Motion was approved: For - 21, opposed – 5, abstain – 1

 

Event name: 15^th European Hot Air Balloon Championship