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In 2005, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale intends to publish a work retracing its first century of existence and the parallel history of air sports. The writing of this book has been entrusted to Pierre Morath, an historian specialising in sport and the Olympic movement. Although the archives of the FAI will provide the bulk of the material needed for this future publication, the FAI is now launching an appeal to its members and associated organisations, and to custodians of historical archives, asking that they also contribute material to this project, which is destined to become an authoritative work of reference.

An Experienced Editorial Team
A former elite athlete, Mr. Pierre Morath is an historian with a well-established reputation in the world of sport; amongst other publications, he was the co-author of the book published by the International Cycling Union (UCI) on the occasion of its hundredth anniversary, and of a work covering the history of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. For the research on the history of the FAI and air sports, Mr. Morath will be assisted by Mr Eilif Ness, President of the FAI from 1994 to 2000, whose wide knowledge of these subjects will add great value to the work.

A Work of Reference
So as to ensure that the appeal of the book is not restricted solely to dedicated aviation enthusiasts, the FAI has decided to set its sights on publishing a book that can serve as an authoritative work of reference in the future. With this in mind, the book will include, apart from a section devoted to the development of FAI and its air sports, more specialised topics such as the technological progress made thanks to sporting aviation, the development of human performance, and the future of aeronautical sports.

An Appeal to all Custodians of Historical Archives
To be published in English and French, this book will contain about 220 pages and the text will be abundantly supported by historical photographs and illustrations. Although the FAI itself has impressive archives, it would like to give the opportunity to its members, and associated organisations, as well as to custodians of historical archives, to contribute material to this project, which is destined to be a significant landmark in the first century of FAI’s existence. The FAI is representative of the rich diversity of its member nations, and wishes to ensure that this aspect is properly reflected in the book it plans to publish. The history of sporting aviation resides above all amongst FAI’s member organisations, and is just waiting to be collected and presented to the public at large. Therefore, the FAI hereby invites any person or organisation to provide information about the existence of rare documents, photographic archives, documentary films, or any other reference material that might be relevant for inclusion in a publication of international scope (records, competitions, sporting or historical events, personnalities, etc.).

World Aviation Heritage
All material received will be carefully analysed to see if it might be suitable for inclusion in the book. Unfortunately, there will not be space for everything received to be mentioned. However, one of the tasks of the FAI is to preserve the world’s sport aviation heritage, so any material that is sent to FAI, whether in the form of copies or originals, will be carefully conserved in our archives for consultation and as an important part of the collective memory that FAI will transmit to future generations.

In the hope that this appeal will be widely supported, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale thanks in advance all those who wish to make a contribution to the creation of a high quality 100th Anniversary book.

All material, or requests for further information, should be adressed to :

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, Centenary Book Appeal, Avenue de Mon-Repos 24, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tél. +41.(0)21.345.10.70 / e-mail : jmb@fai.org

All material sent will be acknowledged. As we are appealing to the sense of shared values and generosity of the aviation community, we much regret that the FAI is not in a position to purchase or reimburse costs incurred in dispatching material.

Lausanne, 17 February 2003