The achievements of athletes and pilots from across the world of air sports were celebrated last night at the annual FAI Awards Ceremony, held in Luxor, Egypt.

The 2018 ceremony marked the start of the 112th FAI General Conference, the plenary sessions of which take place on 26 and 27 October.

FAI President Frits Brink presented the awards, as well as an “FAI Companions of Honour” Diploma to Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from Saudi Arabia.

Opening the ceremony, Brink said: “The annual FAI Awards Ceremony is a chance for us to honour those who have done the most to further aviation, space and air sports over the last 12 months.

“I am delighted to be here to present this year’s awards to this list of inspiring individuals.”

A total of 17 awardees were present at the ceremony.

FAI General Awards

FAI GOLD AIR MEDAL
Dr. Hermann TRIMMEL (AUT)
For his great contribution to the development of Aeronautics through his meteorological expertise and his role as a theoretical and practical promoter of gliding
"It's a big honor for me because I did not expect it because I've been working on aviation, specially for gliding, for more than 50 years now but I do it because my heart is on it. When I was 16 years old I started gliding and later on I decided to start with meteorology because it was very much related."

FAI GOLD SPACE MEDAL
Igor BARMIN (RUS)
For his great contribution to the development of Astronautics through his remarkable career as a Doctor of Technical Sciences, Academician of the International Astronautical Academy and President of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics

FAI SILVER MEDAL
David ROBERTS (GBR)
For his major involvement in FAI and the Air Sports community throughout Europe as a vital contributor to the development of European Regulations, ensuring representation for the interests of the European Air Sports Community at the highest level

FAI BRONZE MEDAL
Bruno DELOR (FRA)
For his eminent services to the FAI in his role of President of the French Aeromodelling Federation, delegate for France in the FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM), 1st CIAM Vice-President, and Drone Sport Subcommittee Chairman and by securing Drone Racing as a new sports discipline in FAI as the world's governing body for all air sports

GROUP DIPLOMA OF HONOUR
Aviation Sports Club RUSJET (RUS)
For their significant contribution to the progress of aeronautics, particularly in radio-controlled aeromodelling in Russia

The Irish Wingsuit Team (IRL)
For their significant contribution to the progress of aeronautics, particularly in wingsuit flying in Ireland

SABIHA GÖKCEN MEDAL
Shital MAHAJAN (IND)
For her outstanding achievements in skydiving in India, particularly the completion of skydives over all seven continents within one year, becoming the first Indian woman to skydive over all seven continents
"This award means a lot, I've been waiting for it the last 14 years. The new NAC has supported me and now FAI has recognized my hard work over those 14 years and I'm the first Indian to get this FAI award, I'm incredibly happy."

PAUL TISSANDIER DIPLOMA
Jen BUCKENHAM (GBR)
For her remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation, particularly Aerobatics

Nick BUCKENHAM (GBR)
For his remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation, particularly Aerobatics

Jean-Luc CHARRON (FRA)
For his remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation

Andy CHAU (HKG)
For his remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation

David MONKS (GBR)
For his remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation, particularly Rotorcraft

Pedro Miguel REVETLLAT (ESP)
For his remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation, particularly Ballooning

Krasimir VELCHEV (BUL)
For his remarkable services to Aviation and Sporting Aviation                        

FAI Awards for Individual Disciplines

ANGELO D'ARRIGO DIPLOMA - Environment
Klaus OHLMANN (GER)
For his significant contribution in recent years to minimizing the environmental impact of air sports, particularly by offering his expertise and setting an example in glider and electric airplane flying
"I'm very happy that I got this environmental award. I'm just on the way to making a lot of projects like the electric glider where the batteries are charged with solar energy to finally have zero emissions and make 3,000 kms without any other source of energy."

LEON BIANCOTTA DIPLOMA - Aerobatics
Madelyne DELCROIX (FRA)
For her significant contribution to the sport of aerobatics as World Champion and one of the first two female pilots to be part of the French Aerobatics Team, alsoseveral times member of the International Jury at Aerobatics World Events and great contributor to FAI administration

MONTGOLFIER BALLOONING DIPLOMA - Ballooning
Jean-Claude WEBER (LUX)
For his major contribution to the development of the sport of ballooning in FAI through his leadership of the FAI Ballooning Commission (CIA)