The FAI Sporting Licence

(photo : Malbos/CIVL)

Most international Federations have implemented a mandatory international licence for their competitor. FAI has done the same.

Category 1 or 2 competitions are truly international when the pilots who participate officially represent their country. To be sure that the participants do represent a country, the FAI entrusts the National Airsport Commissions (NAC) to give to their pilots an international licence called the Sporting Licence. Pilots must show this Licence when they enter a competition.

The FAI gives Licences free of charge to the NAC.
Each NAC issue the Sporting Licences on proof of identity to those of its individual members who are either citizens or residents of that NAC's country.
A pilot cannot at the same time hold a Sporting Licence issued by more than one NAC

The precise regulation concerning the Sporting Licence can be found in the General Section of FAI Sporting Code, Chapter 8.

Change of country of representation

Every pilot entering a Category 1 competition must show his Sporting Licence.
The country issuing the Licence is considered to be the country that pilot is flying for.

If a pilot wants to fly for another country, he will have to be issued a sporting licence by his new NAC only after notification to his former NAC. He will also have to observe a two calendar years delay without flying in any Category 1 competition. Only then he can switch his or her allegiance.
In other word, this pilot will not be able to participate in another Category 1 competition until two calendar years have passed. However he can fly in Category 2 competitions during those two years.