Nov 7, 2002, 10:02 PM
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New FAI Medal
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Who should our first nomination be?
Adopting a proposal from the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), the 95th FAI General Conference 2002 held in October approved the creation of a new FAI Medal, the “Sabiha Gökçen Medal”, which will be awarded to women performing the most outstanding achievements in any air sport.
Full texts and Internet links available below. Original text in English available in MS-Word format at : http://www.fai.org/press_releases/2002/071102_gc4_gokcen.doc; in French : http://www.fai.org/press_releases/2002/071102_gc4_gokcenf.doc; HTML text, links and pictures available at : http://www.fai.org/news_archives/fai/000146.asp#000146
Jean-Marc BADAN Promotional Manager
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Avenue Mon-Repos 24 CH-1005 LAUSANNE Switzerland
FAI - The World Air Sports Federation Tel: +41 21 345 1070 Fax: +41 21 345 1077 Email: jmb@fai.org Website : http://www.fai.org
A FAI MEDAL RESERVED FOR WOMEN
By approving the creation of a new FAI General Award, the 95th FAI General Conference held in October in Dubrovnik not only recognised a life dedicated to aviation, but also gave FAI its first medal reserved for women performing the most outstanding achievements in any air sport, the Sabiha Gökçen Medal.
FAI MEDALS AND DIPLOMAS The purpose of FAI Medals and Diplomas is to give public recognition to those who have made outstanding contributions to aeronautics and astronautics, especially in the field of sporting aviation. Including the new Sabiha Gökçen Medal, ten general FAI Medals and Diplomas may be awarded at the discretion of the FAI Vice Presidents. The oldest and most prestigious medals are :
The FAI Gold Air Medal : established in 1924, this medal is reserved for those who have contributed greatly to the development of aeronautics. Among other celebrities, Capt Charles “Chuck” Yeager (USA/1947), Sir Geoffrey de Havilland (GBR/1961) and Mrs Sabiha Gökçen (TUR/1990) received the FAI Gold Air Medal.
The De La Vaulx Medal : created in 1933, this Medal is awarded to all holders of recognised absolute World Records. J. Steven Fossett (USA/1995-1997-1998) is the fifth aviator to enter the exclusive group of people who received three De La Vaulx Medals.
The Louis Bleriot Medal : established in 1936, this Medal is awarded to holders of the highest records for speed, altitude and distance in a straight line by light aircraft. In 2000, the Medal was awarded to Hans Georg Schmid (SUI) for the Around the World flight he completed with his Long-Ez.
Apart from these General Awards, 28 other FAI Medals and Diplomas for Individual Disciplines are at the disposal of Air Sport or Technical Commissions to be awarded in recognition of particular sporting performances or achievements.
Interesting links : FAI Awards at http://www.fai.org/awards/ / Biographies of recipients named above at http://www.fai.org/news_archives/fai/000146.asp
