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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

At the invitation of the National Aeronautic Association and the Soaring Society of America, which held its annual convention during the same period, the FAI Executive Board met on 24 and 25 January in Dayton (Ohio), the home-town of the Wright Brothers. During their first meeting outside Europe, and at the beginning of a symbolic year celebrating 100 Years of Powered Flight, the FAI Executive Directors made several decisions which will affect the future of FAI well beyond its own Centenary in 2005.

A New Image for Air Sports and FAI
To reflect the latest developments in the Air Sports environment, the FAI Executive Board adopted a new, evolving, Strategic Plan. As the basic management document for the next few years, the new Strategic Plan will play an important role in the further development of Air Sports and international competition. Top priority was given to the 3rd FAI World Air Games (see our Press Release 02/03 or www.worldairgames.org).
and to the modernization of the overall image of Air Sports and FAI. The new FAI Corporate Identity currently under development will be progressively introduced from the beginning of 2004 and should be fully implemented in 2005, the year of FAI’s Centenary. FAI Members and Air Sport Commissions will receive detailed information and be consulted both on the Strategic Plan and on the new Corporate Identity within the next few weeks.

FAI Subscription and Voting System
In accordance with the decision taken last year by the General Conference, the Executive Board continued its work on the future subscription and voting system. The basic definition of Air Sport Persons discussed in 2002 has been complemented by more detailed guidelines on how to determine the exact numbers used for the calculation of the annual fees. FAI Members will receive this information very soon and will be asked to supply FAI with the up-dated number of Air Sport Persons in each country. These will form the basis for the final proposal to be put to Conference in September 2003.

Streamlined FAI General Conference
Since the 2000 Conference in Linköping, the Executive Directors have continued their efforts to simplify and improve the attractiveness of the annual FAI General Conference. The Secretary General has been tasked with the development of new solutions to shorten the Opening Ceremony, liven up the Awards Ceremony and to shorten the statutory part of the Conference, leaving more time for discussion of strategic issues.

More Support for Competition Organizers
During the last few years, many Competition Organizers have experienced serious problems in checking the credentials of athletes who register for international competitions. Starting a long-term process aimed at further improving FAI’s administrative support to Competition Organizers, the creation of a centralized database of all valid FAI Sporting Licences is to be studied, to be made available ultimately to all FAI Competition Organizers.

A Book for the FAI 100th Anniversary
Finally, the FAI Executive Directors mandated Mr Pierre Morath, a well-known sport historian with works on the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and UCI (International Cycling Union) to his credit, to start researching and writing a 224-page book covering the history of FAI and Air Sports. Mr Morath will be assisted in his work by Mr Eilif Ness, FAI President from 1994 to 2000, whose wide knowledge of FAI and air sports will add value to the content of the book, to be published early in 2005. In the near future, the FAI Secretary General will appeal to FAI Members to participate in this historical research process by searching their own archives for interesting and relevant material.

The next meeting of FAI Executive Board will be held in Lausanne on 9 and 10 May 2003.

Lausanne, 13 February 2003

Inspired by the Olympic model, the leaders of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI - the World Air Sports Federation) collaborated to develop the World Air Games (WAG). This three-dimensional Olympiad of air sports is the elite forum where the world’s finest aerial athletes are crowned champions in Aerobatics, Aeromodelling, Air Racing, Ballooning, Gliding, Hang Gliding, Helicopters, Microlights, Paragliding and Parachuting.

A New Concept
Progressing beyond the first two WAGs (Turkey 1997 / Spain 2001), the 3rd FAI World Air Games have evolved into a tightly choreographed 1-week aerial extravaganza. A multitude of dramatic air sport competitions will be staged on a time-shared basis at three unique venues – all in close proximity to one another. Participation is limited to the world’s top ranked athletes in each air sport, so the competition is assured to be at the highest possible level.

The 3rd FAI World Air Games have been designed with the public in mind – both for on-site spectators and for TV audiences. Each competition event will be presented to the public using the latest in digital technology, including aerial bird’s-eye-view cameras, video walls, computer graphics, GPS displays and professional announcers.

In addition to viewing the competition events, spectators will be able to get up close and personal with air sports by visiting the fascinating static displays of aircraft and equipment used by the athletes. Interactive display booths will also be on-site – manned by the top athletes when they’re not up in the sky competing. There will even be opportunities for the public to participate as passengers in most of the air sports featured in the World Air Games.

Interested in Hosting the 3rd FAI World Air Games ?
FAI is now inviting professional event organizers to collaborate with National Aero Clubs, pro-active municipalities and geographic regions, and other interested entities to participate in the Bid Process to select the Host and Organizer for the next quadrennial FAI World Air Games. For event organizers with minimal aviation knowledge, FAI representatives can provide the technical expertise required to conduct the World Air Games.

A Dedicated Internet Page
All the relevant information on how to bid for the 3rd FAI World Air Games has been published at www.worldairgames.org. This dedicated FAI Web page will be the home of the 3rd FAI World Air Games, from the beginning of the Bid Process to the conclusion of the farewell celebration in 2005. There, you will find the following WAG materials :

a) WAG Structure Document : Comprehensive presentation of the WAG framework.
b) 36 FAI-approved competition events available for inclusion in the WAG.
c) Instructions for Prospective WAG Bidders : Describes the detailed procedures to be followed when bidding to host and organize the 3rd FAI World Air Games.

Bid Process – Phase 1
If, having studied these documents, you wish to pursue this exciting challenge and apply as a Prospective WAG Bidder, please follow the Instructions for Prospective WAG Bidders for submitting the bid documents.

Applications received after 15 April 2003 will not be considered for the 2005 WAG. All candidates who submit applications before this date will be informed of the results of their applications by 30 April 2003 at the latest.

Obtaining Support from FAI National Member
Applicants other than FAI Member organizations must obtain approval in principle from the respective FAI Member organization in the country concerned (see WAG Structure Document, section 8). If necessary, please contact FAI to find one of its national members.

Should you have any questions concerning the 3rd FAI World Air Games in general, or Phase 1 of the Bid Process in particular, please do not hesitate to contact FAI at :

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
World Air Games 2005
Avenue Mon-Repos 24
CH – 1005 Lausanne

Phone : +41.(0)21.345.10.70
E-mail : wag2005@fai.org
Internet : www.fai.org

FAI especially looks forward to receiving applications from event organisers with strong track records in organizing sports and outdoor events, and who wish to move into an exciting new dimension of air sports.

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
FAI World Air Games