FAI Gliding Commission
Within FAI, the sport of glider aerobatics is managed by the FAI Aerobatics Commission (CIVA),[4] which stands for "Commission Internationale de Voltige Aérienne" and also deals with powered-aircraft aerobatics[1] In the early 1920s two flying organizations, the Association of the German Model and Gliding Clubs, and the Rhön Soaring Association, determined that pilots would be listed as "A" level if they flew a glider for either 300 meters or 30 seconds, and "B" level if they made two flights of 45 seconds in straight lines plus one of 60 seconds in an "S" pattern.
A few years later Fritz Stamer, chief flight instructor of an early gliding school, designed the gull insignia which were used for these awards and later for the badges.
ISTUS (Internationale Studienkommission für motorlosen Flug), was founded in Frankfurt on 13 June 1930, to record international gliding achievements.
In 1932 the FAI recognized gliding, and formed a new section: the Commission Internationale de Vol à Voile (CIVV).
The FAI decided that the Silver C was sufficiently meritorious to be internationally recognised, and issued the first 300 before turning the awarding over to the national societies.
From the beginning the lesser badges were only recorded by local gliding associations, and their criteria varies, although they are usually integrated into organized training programs.
As of 2019 six people had been awarded a 2000 km diploma[10] The wide variety of records have been defined by the FAI Gliding Commission.
[11] With the advent of satellite navigation equipment at an affordable price, the International Gliding Commission of FAI developed a technical specification[12] for approved flight recorders.
IGC-approved recorders include a pressure altitude sensor and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.
This is used in files with the suffix "IGC" that is specified in detail in Appendix A of the document "Technical Specification for IGC-approved GNSS Flight Recorders".
GFAC also issues IGC-approval documents for approved types of FR that are posted on the IGC GNSS web site.
An associated body is Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile (OSTIV) which facilitates contact between glider manufacturers and pilots to share experience and opinion The Commission makes awards for great achievements and meritorious service.
