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The last month of the last year of the second millenium is an obvious time to take stock, and assess progress. So I will spare you any such exercise. Also, I'll leave aside all the usual stuff about how the new century will bring new challenges and new opportunities... you've heard it all before. Instead, let me quote form a snapshot piece on the current state of sporting and recreational aviation written by the Chairman of the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom, in a recent message to his members: "Flying is our aim, but never have the difficulties been greater. Recreational aviation is being regulated as if it was a sub-branch of the airline industry and not a sport. Commercial and government bodies regard pilots as a source of income that can be tapped without threat of competition. The cost of approvals and licences demonstrates the gluttony of a monopoly supplier. Controlled airspace is established for the convenience of the air traffic system rather than matching the performance of modern airliners. Environmentalists oppose flying despite the fact that airfields are virgin pasture and provide havens for wildlife. The problem for the Royal Aero Club will be to ensure that flying for fun did not begin and end in the twentieth century." The situation Peter Saundby describes will be recognised by readers in many countries. It is a fairly bleak picture and could lead to discouragement and pessimism, were it not clear that governments and regulators cannot kill dreams. The dream of flight is as old as humankind, and shows no signs of abating. Now that we have the wherewithal to realise that dream, we will find ways of doing so, regardless of the obstacles. But we must organise ourselves in such a way that we can take responsibility for our own destiny. In several countries, the civil aviation authorities have already handed over substantial powers to air sport governing bodies and this trend is accelerating. But governments must be able to have confidence in the bodies to which they delegate. Therefore, we must have effective and trustworthy supervisory systems in place. Again I quote from Peter Saundby: "It is well known that the way to be a good pilot is to do lots of flying under the eye of someone who is a better pilot. Are we responsible enough to control ourselves? Are our democratic institutions robust enough to establish practices which command respect? Are we prepared to develop the essential instructional and supervisory mechanisms? Do we have within our membership professionals in all fields of aviation who can argue our case at specialist meetings? Can we exercise a responsible discipline over our pilots? Our future lies in the answers to these questions." This is as good a message as any to take into the 21st century. On behalf of us all in FAI, I wish you a happy "fin de siècle" and safe and fun flying and skydiving in the new millenium.
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