AIR SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

Jan 1998

A new year starts, and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) takes a further important step in its process of modernisation. At the click of a mouse, air sports enthusiasts world-wide will now be able to receive the latest news from the FAI directly, free of charge and without delay. Random web-surfers who land on our site may be encouraged to taste the beauty and excitement of air sports. We welcome you all, and hope you will become regular readers.

Here on the Boulevard Montparnasse, in the heart of Paris, we shall be working hard to support our Editor-in-Chief in his office in New Delhi, 6500 kilometres away . Our common aim is to make the magazine interesting, topical and visually appealing. We aim to bring you the news as it unfolds, from our national member organisations, the so-called "National Airsport Controls" (NACs), from the International Air Sport Commissions and Technical Commissions, and from the different international bodies, such as the International Olympic Committee, with which FAI is affiliated.

"Air Sports International" on-line will be a channel for explaining what FAI does for individuals, as well as a news medium. As we approach the new millenium, the world of sporting and recreational aviation faces numerous challenges. We must find ways of stopping the constant erosion of our access to airspace. Of contributing to the conservation of our natural environment, whilst maintaining the right to fly and preserving high standards of flight safety. We must make common cause with other non-commercial airspace user organisations to challenge unjustified restrictions on our activities. We must persuade international and national authorities that we are responsible citizens with arguments based on science and facts, not impressions and prejudice.

A good start has already been made. FAI is represented in ICAO, and in the European Joint Aviation Authorities. We have come together with Europe Airsports and the International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to formulate common approaches on key issues. Time has been lost through internal wrangling and failure to grasp that no-one will look after us if we do not look after ourselves. But the tide has now turned.

The affairs of the FAI now divide conveniently into 4 year cycles, corresponding to the intervals between World Air Games. The first Games, in Turkey last September, were the biggest gathering ever of the world air ports family - over 3000 people from 60 countries. Next May will see a decision on whether Austria, Poland, Spain or Turkey again, will be the host of the second World Air Games in 2001. This is just one of many news snippets that will be carried this year in Air Sports International. Watch this space too for announcements about simulated flying contests, about developments in solar powered flight and about whether kite-flyers will join the world air sport movement. The next 4 years promise much change and excitment.

We hope you will enjoy reading the new style Air Sports International.

Max Bishop
Secretary General FAI

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