FAI Gliding Commission

The International Gliding Commission (IGC) is the international governing body for the sport of gliding. It is governed by meetings of delegates from national gliding associations.

It is one of several Air Sport Commissions (ASC) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), or "World Air Sports Federation". FAI is the world body for sporting aviation and the certification of world records for aeronautics and astronautics and was founded in 1905.

When the IGC was founded in 1932, it was called CIVV (Commission Internationale de Vol à Voile) and has also been called CVSM (Commission de Vol Sans Moteur). It is the FAI commission responsible for the international competitions, records and badges that apply to gliders and motor gliders. The term "sailplanes" is sometimes used. Hang gliders and paragliders have a separate body called the FAI CIVL Commission, which stands for "Commission Internationale de Vol Libre".

The World Gliding Championships are organised every two years or so by the FAI Gliding Commission and the host nation.

Within FAI, the sport of glider aerobatics is managed by the FAI Aerobatics Commission (CIVA), which stands for "Commission Internationale de Voltige Aérienne" and also deals with powered-aircraft aerobatics

Badges

In the early 1920s, two flying groups made levels for glider pilots. Pilots could earn an "A" level by flying a glider for 300 meters or 30 seconds. A "B" level needed two flights of 45 seconds in straight lines and one of 60 seconds in an "S" shape. Later, a "C" level was added for a five-minute flight. Badges showed these achievements.

In 1930, a group called ISTUS began recording international gliding successes. They made badges for solo gliding, named A, B, C, D, and more. The Silver Badge means a pilot flew up to 1,000 meters, did a five-hour flight, and flew cross-country for 50 kilometers. The Gold Badge needs flying 300 kilometers, reaching 3,000 meters high, and a five-hour flight. The Diamond Badge, started in 1949, needs flying 300 kilometers to a target, 500 kilometers in one flight, and reaching 5,000 meters high. Many people have earned the Diamond Badge.

Gliding records

The FAI Gliding Commission has set many records for gliding. Gliders are divided into four groups: Open, 15 metre, World Class, and Ultralight. Pilots, including female pilots, can set world records in these groups. The table below shows some records from the Open Category from early 2008. You can find a full list on the FAI website.

classes of glider

GNSS flight recorders

Because satellite navigation has become affordable, the International Gliding Commission of FAI made a special standard for flight recorders. These recorders help keep gliding competitions and records fair by tracking where the glider goes.

IGC-approved flight recorders use satellite signals and pressure sensors to record the glider's position during a flight. They store this information safely so pilots and officials can check it later. These recorders help show that gliders have reached important points on their journeys.

OSTIV

The Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile (OSTIV) is a group that helps glider manufacturers and pilots. It lets them share their experiences and ideas about gliding.

Awards

The International Gliding Commission gives special awards for great achievements and important work in gliding. One major award is the Lilienthal Gliding Medal, started in 1938 to honor amazing flights or long-term service to gliding. The first person to receive this medal was Tadeusz Góra for his very long flight.

Other awards include the Pelagia Majewska Gliding Medal for female pilots and the Pirat Gehriger Diploma for services to international gliding. Many skilled pilots and gliding experts have received the Lilienthal Medal over the years.