2016 FAI Annual Report

28-29 / 67

FAI ANNUAL REPORT–2016 FAI ANNUAL REPORT–2016 26 27
Innovation
New Technologies
Technology continues to impact our sports in new,
exciting and challenging ways. Here are some highlights
from 2016.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGY
Fromelectric-poweredparamotors tosolar-poweredplanes,
the world of clean technology is coming to aviation. 2016
saw several clean-tech firsts, including Solar Impulse 2
completing its circumnavigation of the globe, and the first
world record in thenewfieldof Electric-PoweredPlanes, set
by famous aerobatics pilotWalter Extra. As new technology
continues to develop, including hybrid, electric, solar and
battery-powered engines, the FAI is working continually
to keep pace – developing and adapting its sporting code,
accommodating new technology and creating new record
categories. Finding ways to measure the performance of
the new technology is also important, allowingmeaningful
comparisons to bemade comparing like with like, and new
technology with old.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
In2016 theFAI Environmental Commissionupdated theFAI’s
Environmental PolicyandCode. Theaimof theEnvironmental
Code is to raise awareness about environmental issues in
air sports and to further sustainability measures among
pilots and others involved in air sports. This is no mere
‘greenwash’ – it is a commitment to making sustained
progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The FAI Environmental Commission is responsible within
the FAI for monitoring the impact of air sports on the
environment, and for recommending action where we
fall short. Promoting good environmental practice in the
context of our sports is important for all of us.
SPACE, THE FINAL FRONTIER
Legendary cosmonaut Gennady Padalka was presented
with a special FAI medal inMarch 2016, for the amount of
time he has spent orbiting the Earth. Padalka, 59, holds the
FAI world record for the most amount of time any human
has spent in space. A time-served cosmonaut he has five
long missions to space stations under his belt: one to
Mir and four to the International Space Station. Over the
length of his five trips he has spent a cumulative total of
879 days in space. That’s 29months in zero-gravity. Highly
respected Padalka, who has been called “the ultimate
Obi Wan” by his US colleagues in reference to the Star
Wars films, has also executed a total of nine space walks
outside the International Space Station, including several
of five-hours duration.
DRONE TECHNOLOGY
TheFAI put itself at the centreof the international discussion
about drone technology and regulations in 2016. The
excitement and ease of access has brought with it many
challengesandquestions. These range fromhowto introduce
thousands of new drone pilots to air space. Working with
air sports associations in its member countries the FAI is
leading on dealing with sporting and regulatory aspects
of drones. That includes developing rules to allow safe
and fair competition, and the development of the first
ever FAI World Drone Racing Championships, to be held
in 2017 or 2018.
“Padalka has spent
a cumulative total of
879 days in Space.”