50th Anniversary of spacemodelling in the FAI - Special Awards Ceremony

In celebration of the 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPACEMODELLING IN THE FAI, organisations and individuals that have greatly contributed to the development of this activity have been awarded the "50th Anniversary of Spacemodelling in the FAI Diploma".

The Awards Ceremony took place on Friday 20 April 2012 in Lausanne, Switzerland, in the presence of FAI President John Grubbström who had the pleasure of distributing the diplomas to the recipients, together with CIAM Space Modelling Sub-committee Chairman Srdjan Pelagic.

Recipients of the 50th Anniversary of Spacemodelling in the FAI Diploma

- Organisations

National Association of Rocketry (NAR) - USA –  This organisation established spacemodelling and adopted the first competition rules that became guidelines for all similar activities in the world. It has also been the organiser of two FAI World Space Modelling Championships in 1980 and 1992.

Zvaz Modelarov Slovenska (ZMOS) - Slovakia  –  Organiser of the first ever official FAI Spacemodelling international event "Dubnicki Maj" in 1966, the FAI World Space Modelling Championships in 1974 and 2000 and the FAI European Space Modelling Championships in 1995 and 2007.

Vazduhoplovni savez Srbije (VSS) – Serbia – Organiser of the first ever FAI World Space Modelling Championship in 1972, the FAI World Space Modelling Championships in 1987 and 2010 and the FAI European Space Modelling Championships in 2003 and 2009.

A representant of the Federatia Romana de Modelism with CIAM Space Models Sub-committee Chairman Srdjan Pelagic (left) and FAI President John Grubbström (right)Federatia Romana de Modelism – (FRMD) – Romania – Organiser of the FAI World Space Modelling Championship in 1998 and of five European Space Modelling Championships in 2011, 2005, 1993, 1988 and 1981 – also the organiser of the largest number of FAI Space Modelling Championships.

Federation of Spacemodelling Sport of Russia (FRMS) – Organiser of the greatest ever World Space Modelling Championships in Baikonur in 2006 with the participation of 25 countries where new standards in organisation of such events were set up ("tents town", opening and closing ceremonies at the city stadium in front of more than 10000 spectators, numerous spectators at the flying field).

Aeroklub Polski - Poland – Organiser of the first ever Junior World Space Modelling Championships in 1994 and of three FAI World Space Modelling Championships in 1983, 1994 and 2004. Also known for the continuous development of spacemodelling activity.

Real Federacion Aeronautica Espanola – Organiser of the first ever European Space Modelling Championships in 1994 and the FAI World Space Modelling Championships in 2008 . It constantly promotes and develops Spacemodellling in West European countries.

Association of Light Aviation of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Organiser of the first ever Open Asian SM Championships in 2007 and the Korkyt Ata Space Modelling World Cup for years, which is the only Space Modelling World Cup in an Asian country.

ARK "Vladimir Komarov" Ljubljana – Slovenia – Organiser for 34 years of the "Ljubljana Cup", the oldest continuously organised spacemodelling international event, which has been for almost 20 years the final event in the Space Models World Cup series and which gathers sportsmen of 10 -12 countries every year – a miniature "European Championship". Several world records have been broken during this event. It was also the executive organiser of the 11th FAI World Space Modelling Championship in 1996.

- Individuals

Alexander "Sandy" Pimenoff – Finland – legendary CIAM President (1968-2007) who heartily supported all  spacemodelling activities. He contributed enormously to the evolution of spacemodelling from a simple technical sporting activity to a developed and widespread air sport around the world. Thanks to Sandy, Spacemodelling became a part of the 1st World Air Games in 1997 and is constantly progressing with World and Continental Championships and World Cup series as pillars of this air sport favoured by all generations of athletes.

Max BishopJohn "Max" Bishop – Switzerland – retired FAI Secretary General, who served in this position for 17 years (from 1994 to 2010);  During all his service at the FAI, he, with the help of his staff, enthusiastically supported and helped spacemodelling in conducting all spacemodelling programs and plans. Thanks to his help, understanding and support, spacemodelling overcame many problems to achieve the desired level of development of Spacemodelling as an air sport.

George Harry Stine – USA – (posthumously) – known as the "Father of Spacemodelling",  a man who established Spacemodelling and introduced it into the FAI  in 1962 and who served as the first CIAM Space Models Subcommittee Chairman 11 years from 1962 to 1972.

Otakar Saffek – Czech Republic – the second CIAM Space Models Subcommittee Chairman (7 years from 1973 to 1978 and 1996), one of the best spacemodellers of "sixties" in the world.

Col. Howard R. Kuhn – USA – (posthumously) the third CIAM Space Models Subcommittee Chairman (17 years from 1979 to 1995), a man who made Spacemodelling popular all over the world.

Srdjan PelagicIng. Srdjan D. Pelagic – Serbia – the fourth CIAM Space Models Subcommittee Chairman (15 years from 1997 until present day), a man who launched the Sapphire Space Models Development Program in 1997, who continuously encouraged the organisation of Space Models contests of all levels all over the world and whose contribution to spacemodelling World Cups helped it become the most effective tool in popularising Spacemodelling.

Ing. Marian Jorik – Slovakia – Space Models World Cup coordinator (15 years from 1993 to 2007) and organiser of the 1995 FAI Junior & Senior European Space Modelling Championships and the 13th FAI World Space Modelling Championship in 2000. During his service, Space Models Word Cup competitions increased from one to five classes. He provided challenge trophies for all classes and made this kind of competition very popular and attractive.

Vernon and Gleda Estes – USA – founders and owners of "Estes Industries" that made possible the mass production of space models engines in 1958 and greatly contributed to spreading spacemodelling all over the world through their continued production over many decades.

Prof. Ioan N. Radu – Romania – the first ever spacemodelling World Champion in 1972, one of the best promoters of spacemodelling and author of "World Space Modelling" – the first comprehensive history of spacemodelling. He is also publisher of "Astronautica", a magazine on spacemodelling, rocketry and astronautics.

Gradimir B. Rancin – Serbia – the general manager of the first ever World Space Modelling Championship in Vrsac (ex-Yugoslavia now Serbia) in 1972 and a man who greatly contributed to the modernisation of the Spacemodelling rules adopted in 1970 and to their adaptation to the CIAM principles of competition.

Mihail Zanciu – Romania – former Secretary General of the Romanian Modelling Federation who was the chief organiser of the 12th World Aeromodelling Championships for space modelling in Romania in 1998 and the FAI European Space Modelling Championships in 2005, 1993, 1988 and 1981; he has organised the largest number of FAI Space Modelling Championships.