Articles
The FAI Amateur Built and Experimental Aircraft Commission (CIACA) was established at the 1973 FAI General Conference, and met for the first time on 10 June 1974. It was converted from a Technical into a Air Sports Commission in 2012.
It is nominally composed by delegates for homebuilt aircraft of all national Aero Club of the world. In practice most active members of the commission are the delegates of the countries where the movement of amateur-built aircraft is advanced and well established. However every year new members join the annual meeting, which offers an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and to take common international initiatives.
The tasks of CIACA include the promotion of design, construction and operation of amateur and homebuilt aircraft, and the restoration of vintage aircraft.
In particular, the most profitable activities and achievements of CIACA can be hereinafter summarised:
Experience exchange
The experiences successfully achieved in the countries where the movement is well established are shared and made available to all interested delegates . Especially to those of countries where their C.A.A. are most severe and close-minded.
In some instances official actions are taken in order to give the relevant national authorities the view of FAI.
There have been cases such that the international "pression" applied by CIACA on the public and authorities opinion has contributed in making them more sensitive to the Aircraft Homebuilders movement.
Homebuilding regulations
Countries where the homebuilding regulations are not defined yet can take advantage of CIACA shared knowledge for having possible effective reference for developing their own regulations and/or internal organization .
Harmonization/Recognition effort
Especially for european countries an harmonization effort is carried out, aimed at a future unification of the international rules . For instance, a continuous effort is devoted in order to achieve a complete " mutual recognition" by all european countries as far as homebuilt aircraft border crossing is concerned.
Rationalisation and share of common information
The widest participation in CICA's meetings allow to continuously improve the availability and sharing of useful information, otherwise unreachable.
For instance, international data bases are being established and progressively enlarged thanks to delegates contributions. (e.g.: list of amateur-built airicraft per type and per country, list of international amateur-built aircraft events etc. ...)
FAI Diplomas
FAI Diplomas are awarded internationally by CIACA:
The Henry Mignet Diploma, established by the FAI in 1984, may be annually awarded to the project of an amateur-built aircraft which at best represents Henry Mignet spirit: simplicity and economy. In particular one or more of the following conditions shall be fulfilled:
- outstanding performance and low fuel consumption at cruising speed
- low noise level
- safe handling characteristics
- non aviation engine
- new drive-system or propellors
- alternate fuels
- new aerodynamic forms or other design features which make flying the aircraft more simple and efficient
- new types of structure and materials allowing significant weight reduction
- in any event a notable improvement shall have occurred
Also the best restauration carried out by an individual or by a group are awarded the Phoenix and the Phoenix Group Diplomas. These diplomas, established by the FAI in 1978 and 1990 respectively, may each be awarded for the best reconstruction or restoration of a vintage (more than 30 years old) aircraft achieved by an individual amateur, in the case of the Phoenix Diploma, and by a group of any size or description (e.g. museum, sponsored group, society, company) in the case of the phoenix Group Diploma.
Each FAI Member may annually submit the name of one candidate for each of the Diplomas to the FAI Amateur-Built Aircraft Commission for consideration.
Promotion
As a result of the dialogue with other FAI Commissions actions are sometimes undertaken, aimed at enlarging the aeronautical culture and at promoting new constructions. This was the case, for instance, when the FAI Aviation and Space Education Commission (CIEA) suggested to undertake initiatives aimed at encouraging the jouth participation in aeronautical activities. To this respect CIACA is suggesting to stimulate initiatives of homebuilding aircraft in Universities and schools. In particular the Akeflieg experience will be shared soon thanks to the participation of Herr Jannes Neumann, president of Idaflieg, roof organization of all Akaflieg's in Germany, one of that organization's manager who will give a presentation during next annual meeting.
CIACA's subcommissions
Three subcommissions have been recently established, specialized in public relation, environmental and safety matters, respectively.
Problem arising, like noise control or accidents preventions are discussed and shared by these subcommittees.
Results of their investigation are then made available to all concerned. To this respect the Internet web is becoming a significant tool for diffusion.
