Official bodies

Official bodies

Aircraft user bodies

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

Download the CANS Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations including terms concerned with airspace, avionics, air traffic management, navigation and distance measurement systems such as those based on radar and satellite navigation.

It also includes some more general FAI terms and references

Airspace

The 2006 FAI General Conference in Santiago, Chile, adopted the following resolution:

Resolution on Airspace

Considering that air sports activities in many countries, especially in Europe, were under grave threat because of constantly encroaching airspace restrictions, that many restrictions were exaggerated in scope and went well beyond the real requirements of flight safety, and that air sports were challenging, healthy and character-building activities that contribute to society as a whole by giving physical and intellectual training to young people, the 100th FAI Annual General Conference resolved:

1. To urge all international and national aviation authorities to have special regard for the effects of any new airspace restrictions on the practice of air sports, and

2. To urge all FAI Members to establish procedures for constant close consultation on airspace matters between national civil aviation and air traffic authorities and national air sport governing bodies.

Articles

Projects

CANS policy statement on airspace

Access to air space is to the air sports pilot what water is to the walker in the desert - It is absolutely essential.

The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics. It is very much concerned that access to airspace for its pilots of all kinds is under increasing pressure worldwide.

FAI, which is in its second century of existence, believes that the governments of the world have an obligation to ensure adequate access to airspace for all who wish to fly, which has been the dream of mankind over the ages.

It becomes increasingly clear that the growing use of airspace by many users, particularly commercial aviation, has brought further pressures to restrict access to airspace for air sport enthusiasts. Often such restrictions have been imposed without reasonable assessment of the impact of decisions on air sports.

FAI challenges airspace regulators to respect the need of airsport people to use air space and to provide equitable access. Restrictions should be considered only where necessary to meet real and established risks, and solutions should be based on the best cost/benefit option.

Aviation would not be where it is today without the exceptional progress made over the last century by extremely dedicated air sports and recreational aviation men and women of the world. The exploits of these people have pioneered new aviation world records and led to new technologies, not only enabling many others to enjoy the freedom of the world’s airspace but supporting one of the world’s high achieving industries.

The sky is big enough for us all. It only requires a sensible approach by airspace administrators using, where necessary, best available technology to allow fair access for all.

Terms of Reference

1. To co-ordinate and disseminate Air Navigation Airspace rules, regulations and policy, on behalf of FAI as they may affect the types of aviation in which FAI and its members are involved.

2. Airspace.  The principal FAI objective is to preserve freedom of access for the air sports community.  To further this objective, CANS will:

2.1 Implement any necessary action with the aim to preserve freedom of access for the airsports community.

2.2 Identify Airspace and Air Traffic Management (ATM) issues as they may affect FAI activities.

2.3 Facilitate support to Nations to assist in the defence of airspace access for air sports.

2.4 Collect information on relevant National and Regional rules and procedures and make available to FAI members in a useful form. In the European area, fraternal relations with Europe Air Sports (EAS) are to be maintained.

2.5 Liase with the principal world Aviation Regulatory Bodies such as the EASA, FAA and other equivalent and complementary bodies.

2.6 Communicate with ICAO in a manner approved by the FAI Executive Board and the FAI representative, on behalf of Sport Aviation.  

3.  Navigation Systems. It is appropriate for FAI to have a knowledge of the technology of navigational and reporting systems. This will enable FAI to liaise, and have credibility, with Air Traffic Management (ATM) bodies, Government Departments and others as appropriate.  CANS shall acquire, promote and disseminate such knowledge on behalf of FAI.  This includes the evaluation of navigation and position and altitude recording equipment designed to maintain separation from other air space users and for the avoidance of restricted airspace.  Such knowledge is also to aid compliance with FAI, National and International rules and procedures.

4. FAI Information Resource.  To produce and maintain an information resource for use by FAI members on the above and related subjects.

5. To make regular reports to General Conference and to other FAI meetings and events as requested.

6. To attend conferences and events and make presentations to and on behalf of FAI where necessary.

7. Commission structure and procedures are to be those in Statutes and By-laws for Technical Commissions. Experts in relevant areas of expertise may be co-opted.

Meetings


FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems Delegates

FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems Bureau

 
Sushil Bajpai Member n/a
 
Valeria Maria Caselato Member n/a
 
Eduardo Toselli Member n/a
Letter of support from the General Association of International Sports federations  (279.97 kB)19 August 2011
Letter of support from the International Olympic Committee  (242.30 kB)19 August 2011


About the FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems (CANS)

Airspace restrictions for sporting aircraft are becoming more critical in many geographic areas where other air traffic is growing. At the same time the accuracy of navigational systems is getting better, particularly those that are based on satellites in earth orbit (GPS and similar systems). Such systems are already in use in many areas of FAI for the recording of evidence for Sporting purposes, but they have wider uses.

In 2006 the FAI General Conference adopted the following policy on airspace:
1. To urge all international and national aviation authorities to have special regard for the effects of any new airspace restrictions on the practice of air sports, and
2. To urge all FAI Members to establish procedures for constant close consultation on airspace matters between national civil aviation and air traffic authorities and national air sport governing bodies.

The 2008 FAI General Conference formally established a new FAI Technical Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems.

Meetings

The FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systemsmeets once a year at an Annual Meeting to discuss and work airspace and navigation systems and their developments.

Each FAI Member Country may appoint a Delegate with the right to vote at the Plenary Meeting.

Bureau

Between annual meetings, the FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems is run by the Bureau, which consists of the President, 2 Vice Presidents and the Secretary. The Bureau is elected by the Plenary Meeting.

The Bureau is elected during the annual meeting of the FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems.

Delegates

Each FAI Member Country can appoint a Delegate to the FAI Commission on Airspace and Navigation Systems and participate in the work of the commission.

Documents

Go to the Documents page to browse documents related to airspace and navigation systems

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