The 118th FAI General Conference was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 19 to 21, 2024, attracting 120 participants.
Hosted by the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC), the event saw representation from 55 members of the FAI and 14 FAI Commissions.
A New Era in Leadership
A highlight of the conference was the election of Greg Principato from the United States, who became the new President of FAI for a two-year term.
Expressing his enthusiasm and gratitude, Principato noted the organization’s rich legacy in air sports and its pivotal role in aviation history.
He stressed the need for passion and determination as the FAI moves forward.
The conference kicked off on November 19 with the esteemed FAI Awards Ceremony.
Outgoing FAI President David Monks, alongside Dr. Ahmed F. Alfahaid, General Supervisor of SAC, presented the prestigious Medals and Diplomas to deserving recipients.
Conference Highlights
Detailed minutes and comprehensive reports from the conference proceedings will be available in early 2025.
During the elections, Greg Principato was officially appointed as President for the forthcoming term.
As he stepped aside, David Monks received the honorary title of President of Honour.
The Executive Board also saw six members either elected or re-elected, resulting in the following leadership lineup:
- President: Greg Principato (USA)
- Executive Directors: Igor Erzen (Slovenia), Agust Gudmundsson (Iceland), Timo Hyvönen (Finland), Gillian Rayner (France), Mary Anne Stevens (Canada), and Marina Vigorito (Italy).
- Secretary General: Markus Haggeney (Germany), serving as a non-voting member.
The attendees approved the financial budget for 2025 during the conference discussions.
Welcoming New Members
The FAI community expanded with the addition of four new active members:
- Parachute Association of Botswana (Botswana)
- Royal Moroccan Federation of Light and Sports Aviation (Morocco)
- Aeronautical Sports Federation of Montenegro (Montenegro)
- Oman Air Sports Committee (Oman)
Additionally, three organizations received temporary membership for 2025:
- Cambodian Airsport Federation (Cambodia)
- Lao Airsports Club (Laos)
- Paraguayan Parachutists Association (Paraguay)
The conference also celebrated the achievements of several individuals, recognizing them as Companions of Honour:
- Jacques Berlo (Belgium)
- Sir David Hempleman-Adams (United Kingdom)
- Eric Mozer (USA)
The proposal from Finland to host the 119th FAI General Conference in Vantaa from October 22-24, 2025, received the green light.
Furthermore, FAI is currently accepting bids for the host of the 120th General Conference in 2026.
This year’s conference not only highlighted significant leadership changes but also celebrated the vibrant future of air sports, setting the stage for continued growth and collaboration within the international aviation community.
Source: Fai.org