Fédération Aéronautique Internationale facts for kids
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
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Abbreviation | FAI |
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Formation | 14 October 1905 |
Founded at | Paris, France |
Type | Nonprofit |
Location |
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President
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Greg Principato |
Secretary General
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Markus Haggeney |
The World Air Sports Federation (also known as the Fédération aéronautique internationale or FAI) is the main organization that sets rules for air sports around the world. It also helps define what counts as human spaceflight. The FAI was started on October 14, 1905, and its main office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. It keeps track of world records for many activities in the air, like ballooning, aeromodeling (model airplanes), and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). It also records flights into space.
Contents
History of the FAI
The FAI was created at a meeting in Paris, France, from October 12 to 14, 1905. This meeting happened after the Olympic Congress in Brussels suggested creating a group to "regulate the sport of flying." They wanted to organize aviation events and help the science and sport of flying grow.
Representatives from eight countries attended the first meeting. These countries were Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. Each country had its own aero club already.
In 2017, the FAI started a new partnership with a company called Noosphere Ventures. This company became FAI's Global Technical Partner.
Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FAI stopped Russia and Belarus from participating in its events. This means pilots from these countries cannot compete in any of the 13 FAI air sports, including paragliding and hang gliding.
FAI Meetings
The FAI holds important meetings called General Conferences. These are where big decisions are made about air sports.
The 117th FAI General Conference took place in Dayton, Ohio, USA, on October 26 and 27, 2023. Dayton is known as the "Birthplace of Aviation."
The 118th FAI General Conference was held from November 20 to 21, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 119th FAI General Conference will take place in Vantaa, Finland, from October 22 to 24, 2025.
Air Sports
The FAI oversees 13 different air sports:
- Aeromodelling (flying models, including space models)
- Amateur-Built & Experimental Aircraft (planes built by hobbyists)
- Ballooning (flying in hot air balloons)
- Drones (flying remote-controlled aircraft)
- General Aviation (private flying, not for airlines)
- Gliding (flying in engineless aircraft)
- Hang Gliding (flying with a fabric wing)
- Microlights and Paramotors (very light aircraft)
- Paragliding (flying with a parachute-like wing)
- Powered and glider aircraft Aerobatics (performing tricks in the air)
- Rotorcraft (helicopters)
- Parachuting (Skydiving) (jumping from planes with parachutes)
- Space (flights into space)
Air Sport Commissions
The FAI has special groups called Air Sport Commissions. Each commission focuses on a specific air sport and helps manage its rules and competitions.
- General Air Sports (CASI)
- Aerobatics (CIVA)
- Aeromodelling (CIAM)
- Amateur-Built and Experimental Aircraft (CIACA)
- Astronautic Records (ICARE)
- Ballooning (CIA)
- General Aviation (GAC)
- Gliding (IGC)
- Hang Gliding and Paragliding (CIVL)
- Microlight and Paramotor (CIMA)
- Rotorcraft (CIG)
- Skydiving (ISC)
FAI Events
The FAI organizes many exciting events and competitions for air sports.
- World Air Games
- World Paragliding Championships
- World Gliding Championships
- World Parachuting Championships
- FAI World Aerobatic Championships
- World Hot Air Ballooning Championships
- FAI World Paramotor Slalom Championships
- 2023 FAI F3P World Championships
- World Cup of Indoor Skydiving
- FAI World Grand Prix
- Red Bull Air Race World Championship
You can find all the events approved by the FAI on its events calendar.
World Championships in Model Aircraft
The FAI also tracks when the first World Championships for different types of model aircraft took place:
- 1951: F1A, F1B, F1C
- 1960: F2A, F2B, F2C, F3A
- 1961: F1D
- 1970: F4B, F4C
- 1972: S-classes
- 1977: F3B
- 1978: F2D
- 1985: F3C, F3D
- 1986: F3E (now: F5B)
- 1989: F1E
- 1994: F5D (now F3E)
- 1998: F3
- 2010: F6A (WAG), F6B (WAG), F6D (WAG)
- 2011: F3K
- 2012: F3F
- 2013: F3N, F3P
- 2014: F4H
- 2018: F3U
- 2019: F5J
- 2024: F3M
FAI Activities
The FAI is the international group that sets rules for many air activities. It makes sure that records are fair and that competitions are well-organized.
- It sets the rules for Aerobatics through its Aerobatics Commission (CIVA).
- It manages Aeromodeling and drones through its Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM).
- It oversees Ballooning through its Ballooning Commission (CIA).
- It handles General aviation through its General Aviation Commission (GAC).
- It guides Gliding through the FAI Gliding Commission (IGC).
- It manages Hang gliding & Paragliding through its Hang Gliding & Paragliding Commission (CIVL).
- It supports Human-powered aircraft through its Amateur-Built and Experimental Aircraft Commission (CIACA).
- It oversees Microlighting and Paramotoring through its Microlight & Paramotor Commission (CIMA).
- It sets rules for Skydiving through the International Skydiving Commission.
- It manages Rotorcraft (helicopters) through its Rotorcraft Commission (CIG).
The FAI sets the standards for all these activities. For air sports, the FAI also organizes international competitions, including world and continental championships. It also puts on big events like the World Air Games and the FAI World Grand Prix.
The FAI also holds the FAI International Drones Conference and Expo. This event brings together people and businesses to talk about how drones are used now and how they will be used in the future.
The FAI also keeps track of records set in human spaceflight. This is done through its Astronautic Records Commission (ICARE).
Kármán Line
The FAI helps define the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. This boundary is called the Karman Line. The FAI says this line is at an altitude of 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) above Earth's sea level.
World Records
One of the FAI's important jobs is to check and confirm record-breaking flights. For a flight to be a "World Record," it must follow the FAI's strict rules. For example, a new record must be better than the old one by a certain amount. Since the late 1930s, military aircraft have often held records for speed, distance, and height. However, civilians regularly set records in other categories.
Sometimes, countries claim records that do not meet FAI standards. These are usually not recognized as official world records. For example, Yuri Gagarin was the first human to fly into space. The FAI did not recognize his achievement at first because he did not land inside his Vostok spacecraft (he ejected from it). However, the FAI later agreed that Gagarin was indeed the first human in space. After that, the FAI created the Yuri A. Gagarin Gold Medal, which has been given out since 1968.
Types of Records
The FAI keeps records for many different types of aircraft and activities:
- Class A: Free Balloons
- Class B: Airships
- Class C: Aeroplanes (including Solar-Powered Aeroplanes)
- Class D: Gliders & Motorgliders
- Class E: Rotorcraft (helicopters)
- Class F: Model Aircraft (like free flight, Control line, and radio control models)
- Class G: Parachuting
- Class H: Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Aeroplanes
- Class I: Manpowered aircraft
- Class K: Spacecraft
- Class M: Tilt-Wing/Tilt Engine Aircraft
- Class N: Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) Aeroplanes
- Class O: Hang Gliding & Paragliding
- Class P: Aerospacecraft
- Class R: Microlights and Paramotors
- Class S: Space Models (Model rockets)
- Class U: Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
Some Famous Records
Here are a few examples of world records confirmed by the FAI:
Date | Measurement | Person | Aircraft | Type |
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Class A: Free balloons | ||||
31 January 2015 | 160 hours 34 minutes | ![]() ![]() |
Two Eagles Balloon | Duration |
31 March 1999 | 40,814 km | ![]() ![]() |
Breitling Orbiter | Distance |
4 May 1961 | 34,668 meters | ![]() ![]() |
Winzen | Absolute altitude |
Class C: Aeroplanes | ||||
11 February 2006 | 41,467.53 km | ![]() |
Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer | Flight distance record (without refueling) |
28 July 1976 | 3,529.56 km/h | ![]() |
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird | Flight airspeed record |
31 August 1977 | 37,650 m | ![]() |
MiG E-266M | Flight altitude record |
Class CS: Solar-powered aeroplanes | ||||
7 July 2010 | 9,235 m 26 h 10 m 19 s |
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Solar Impulse (Prototype) | Solar powered Duration and Flight altitude record |
25 May 2012 | 1116 km | ![]() |
Solar Impulse (Prototype) | Solar powered Distance |
Class D: Gliders & motorgliders | ||||
3 September 2017 | 15,902 m | ![]() ![]() |
Windward Performance Perlan II | Gliding Altitude |
2 September 2018 | 23,202 m | ![]() ![]() |
Windward Performance Perlan II | Gliding Altitude (to be ratified) |
21 January 2003 | 3,008.8 km | ![]() ![]() |
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4 | Gliding Distance |
Class E-1: Helicopters | ||||
11 August 1986 | 400.87 km/h | ![]() |
Westland Lynx G-LYNX (modified) | Speed over a straight 15/25 km course |
Class G-2: Parachuting performance records | ||||
14 October 2012 | 1357.6 km/h | ![]() |
Red Bull Stratos | Vertical speed |
8 February 2006 | 400 Skydivers | World Team | 5 Lockheed C-130 | Largest Skydiving Formation |
Class I-C: Humanpowered aeroplane | ||||
23 April 1988 | 115.11 km 3h 54mn 59s |
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MIT Daedalus 88 | Human powered Distance and Duration |
2 October 1985 | 44.32 km/h | ![]() |
Musculair II | Speed over a closed circuit |
Class I-E: Humanpowered rotorcraft | ||||
25 September 2013 | 1min 37.5 sec | ![]() |
Gamera | Duration |
Class O: Hang Gliding & Paragliding | ||||
13 October 2016 | 564.3.0 km | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ozone Enzo 2 Ozone Enzo 2 Gin Boomerang 10 |
Straight distance with a paraglider |
Class R: Microlights | ||||
14 February 2002 | 187 km/h | ![]() ![]() |
Jabiru Aircraft UL | 3 axis flight airspeed record |
Class U: Unmanned aerial vehicles | ||||
14 August 2001 | 96863 ft | ![]() |
AeroVironment Helios Prototype | Sustained horizontal flight altitude record by a winged aircraft |
FAI Awards
The FAI gives out several awards to people who have made great contributions to aviation and air sports.
The FAI Gold Air Medal was created in 1924. It is given to those who have done a lot to help aviation grow through their work, achievements, or dedication. The FAI has also given the Paul Tissandier Diploma since 1952. This award honors people who have served aviation in general, especially sporting aviation.
The FAI also has specific awards for each air sport:
- Awards for Ballooning:
- The Montgolfier Ballooning Diploma
- The Santos Dumont Gold Airship Medal
- Awards for General Aviation:
- The Charles Lindbergh General Aviation Diploma
- Awards for Gliding:
- The Lilienthal Gliding Medal
- The Pelagia Majewska Gliding Medal
- The Pirat Gehriger Diploma
- Awards for Rotorcraft:
- The FAI Gold Rotorcraft Medal
- Awards for Parachuting:
- The FAI Gold Parachuting Medal
- The Leonardo da Vinci Parachuting Diploma
- The Faust Vrancic Medal
- Awards for Aeromodelling:
- The FAI Aeromodelling Gold Medal
- The Andrei Tupolev Aeromodelling Medal
- The Alphonse Penaud Aeromodelling Diploma
- The Antonov Aeromodelling Diploma
- The Andrei Tupolev Aeromodelling Diploma
- The Frank Ehling Diploma
- Awards for Aerobatics:
- The Leon Biancotto Aerobatics Diploma
- Awards for Astronautics:
- The Yuri A. Gagarin Gold Medal
- The V.M. Komarov Diploma
- The Korolev Diploma
- The Odyssey Diploma
- Awards for Hang Gliding:
- The Pepe Lopes Medal
- The FAI Hang Gliding Diploma
- Awards for Microlight Aviation:
- The Colibri Diploma
- The Ann Welch Diploma
- Awards for Aviation and Space Education:
- The Nile Gold Medal
- Awards for Amateur-Built Aircraft:
- The Phoenix Diploma
- The Phoenix Group Diploma
- The Henri Mignet Diploma
FAI Young Artists Contest
The FAI Young Artists Contest is an international painting competition. It is for young people between 6 and 17 years old. Each country that is a member of the FAI organizes the contest in their own country. The national winners then have their artwork judged by an International Jury each year.
FAI Members
The FAI has many member organizations from different countries around the world. These members help promote and regulate air sports in their own nations.
Active Members
Country | Member name | Year of Affiliation |
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Albania | Federata Shqiptare e Aeronautikës | 2000 |
Algeria | Federation Algérienne Des Sports Aériens | |
Argentina | Confederacion Argentina De Entidades Aerodeportivas | 1910 |
Australia | Australian Sport Aviation Confederation | 1948 |
Austria | Österreichischer Aero Club | 1910 |
Azerbaijan | Azərbaycan Hava və Ekstremal İdman Növləri Federasiyası | 2000 |
Belarus | Belarusian Federation of Air Sports (suspended) | 1994 |
Belgium | Royal Belgian Aero Club | 1905 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Vazduhoplovni Savez Bosne I Hercegovine | 1996 |
Brazil | Comissão de Aerodesporto Brasileira | 1919 |
Bulgaria | Bulgarski Natsionalen Aeroklub | 1934 |
Canada | Aero Club of Canada | 1931 |
Chile | Federacion Aerea De Chile | 1921 |
People's Republic of China | Aero Sports Federation of China | 1921 |
Republic of China | Chinese Taipei Aerosports Federation | 1990 |
Colombia | Federacion Colombiana De Deportes Aereos "Federaeros" | 1951 |
Croatia | Hrvatski Zrakoplovni Savez | 1992 |
Cuba | Aviation Club of Cuba | 1927 |
Cyprus | Kypriaki Aerathlitiki Omospondia | 1961 |
Czech Republic | Aeroklub České Republiky | 1920 |
Denmark | Kongelig Dansk Aeroklub | 1909 |
Egypt | Aero Club of Egypt | 1911 |
Estonia | Eesti Lennuspordi Föderatsioon | 1938 |
Finland | Suomen Ilmailuliitto Ry | 1921 |
France | Aero Club de France | 1905 |
Germany | Deutscher Aero Club e.V. | 1905 |
Greece | Elliniki Aerathlitiki Omospondia | 1931 |
Guatemala | Asociacion Guatemalteca De Deportes Aereos | 1953 |
Hong Kong | Hong Kong Aviation Club Ltd | 1977 |
Hungary | Magyar Repülö- és Légisport Szövetség | 1910 |
Iceland | Flugmálafélag Íslands | 1937 |
India | Aero Club of India | 1949 |
Indonesia | Federasi Aero Sport Indonesia | 1973 |
Ireland | National Aero Club of Ireland | 1946 |
Islamic Republic of Iran | Kanoone Havanavardiye Iran | 1964 |
Israel | Aero Club of Israel | 1951 |
Italy | Aero Club D'Italia | 1905 |
Japan | Nippon Koku Kyokai | 1919 |
Jordan | Royal Aerosports Club of Jordan | 2005 |
Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan Air Sports Federation | 1994 |
Kosovo | Federata Aeronautike e Kosovës | 2015 |
Kuwait | Kuwait Science Club | 1972 |
Latvia | Latvijas Aeroklubs | 1938 |
Lebanon | Aero Club du Liban | 1924 |
Libya | Libyan Airsports Federation | 1975 |
Lithuania | Lietuvos Aeroklubas | 1931 |
Luxembourg | Federation Aeronautique Luxembourgeoise | 1929 |
Malaysia | Persekutuan Sukan Udara Malaysia | 1961 |
Moldova | Federatia De Parapantism Din Republica Moldova | 1997 |
Mongolia | Mongolian Air Sports Federation | 2006 |
Montenegro | Vazduhoplovni Savez Crne Gore | 1922 |
Morocco | Federation Royale Marocaine De L'Aviation Legere Et Sportive | 1952 |
Mozambique | Aeroclube De Mocambique | 1986 |
Nepal | Nepal Airsports Association | 2002 |
Netherlands | Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging Voor Luchtvaart | 1909 |
New Zealand | Royal New Zealand Aero Club Inc. | 1952 |
North Macedonia | Vozduhoplovna Federacija Na Makedonija | 1993 |
Norway | Norges Luftsportforbund | 1909 |
Pakistan | All Pakistan Aero Modelling & Ultralight Association | 1955 |
Philippines | 3D Air Sports And Hobbies Association, Incorporated | 1965 |
Poland | Aeroklub Polski | 1920 |
Portugal | Aero Club De Portugal | 1913 |
Qatar | Qatar Air Sports Committee | 2002 |
Republic of Korea | Daehanmingook Hang Gong Hwe | 1959 |
Romania | Federatia Aeronautica Romana | 1923 |
Russia | Federatsia Avtsionnogo Sporta Rossii (suspended) | 1909 |
San Marino | Federazione Aeronautica Sammarinese | 1971 |
Saudi Arabia | Saudi Aviation Club | 1997 |
Serbia | Vazduhoplovni Savez Srbije | 1922 |
Singapore | Air Sports Federation of Singapore | 1984 |
Slovakia | Slovenský národný aeroklub gen. M.R. Štefánika | 1920 |
Slovenia | Letalska Zveza Slovenija | 1992 |
South Africa | Aero Club of South Africa | 1938 |
Spain | Real FederacIón Aeroáutica Española | 1905 |
Sweden | Svenska Flygsportförbundet | 1907 |
Switzerland | Aero Club Der Schweiz | 1905 |
Thailand | Royal Aeronautics Sports Association of Thailand | 1979 |
Tunisia | Fédération tunisienne d’Aéronautique et d’Aéromodélisme | 2015 |
Turkey | Türk Hava Kurumu | 1925 |
Ukraine | Federation of Aeronautical Sports of Ukraine | 1992 |
United Arab Emirates | Emirates Aviation Association | 1980 |
United Kingdom | Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom | 1905 |
United States of America | National Aeronautic Association Of The USA | 1905 |
Uzbekistan | Texnik Va Amaliy Sport Turlari Markazi | 1995 |
Venezuela | Asociacion Venezolana De Los Deportes Aeronauticos (A.V.D.A.) | 1952 |
Vietnam | Hanoi Air Sports Association |
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Federación Aeronáutica Internacional para niños