CIVL

The CIVL Plenary meeting took place last weekend following two days of subcommittee meetings.
• John Aldridge takes over as CIVL President as Flip Koetsier steps downThe Cross Country magazine view of the CIVL Plenary
• Prototype hang gliders will be banned from Cat 1 competitions from 1 September 2010
• The definitions of a prototype hang glider and uncertified hang glider have been clarified
• A paraglider Open Class Technical Working Group has been set up to establish manufacturers’ self-certification procedures for open class paragliders to enter Cat 1 competitions from 2011
• The proposal on qualifying the definition of a paraglider to exclude less flexible components was withdrawn
• Instead, the Working Group will consider design limitations for paragliders in Cat 1 competitions from 2012.
• The decision to mandate EN966 certified helmets in Cat 1 competitions from 1 January 2010 has been ratified.
• From 1 May 2011, PG harnesses and back protectors used in Cat 1 competitions must be certified to EN1651 and LTF09 or equivalent.
• The Safety & Training Subcommittee will be completely restructured. More responsibility for safety in the separate discipline subcommittees.
• The way is clear for organisers to provide tracking devices with no data delay in Cat 1 competitions, starting with the upcoming European PG Championships, Abtenau in May

The dominant theme of the 2009 CIVL Plenary meeting was how to improve competition safety. With an increasing number of accidents and incidents at recent international competitions, both the FAI board and CIVL delegates are strongly motivated to address safety issues swiftly and effectively. FAI Secretary General, Max Bishop addressed the Plenary with an unequivocal message. “Safety is the most important topic on FAI and CIVL agenda. The level of accidents in recent competitions is totally unacceptable."

With elections each year for the CIVL Bureau and the Subcommittee chairs, there is always the opportunity for new faces to bring a new perspective to CIVL activity. This year’s elections saw a number of changes.

If you have not yet secured your own copy of the CIVL-commissioned book, And the World Could Fly, now’s the time. Having more than achieved its aim to widely promote our sports during the FAI centenary, this fascinating book is now available at a special price in the run up to the World Air Games in 2009.