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 organizations set up levels for glider pilots. Pilots could earn an "A" level by flying a glider for either 300 meters or 30 seconds, and a "B" level by making two flights of 45 seconds in straight lines plus one of 60 seconds in an "S" pattern. Later, a "C" level was added for a five-minute flight. Badges were designed to show these achievements.

In 1930, a group called ISTUS was founded to record international gliding achievements. They created a series of badges for solo gliding, called A, B, C, D, and so on. The Silver Badge shows that a pilot has flown up to 1,000 meters high, made a five-hour flight, and flown cross-country for at least 50 kilometers. The Gold Badge requires flying 300 kilometers, gaining 3,000 meters in height, and making a five-hour flight. The Diamond Badge, started in 1949, requires flying 300 kilometers to a specific goal, 500 kilometers in one flight, and gaining 5,000 meters in height. Over 7,600 people have earned the Diamond Badge.

Gliding records

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

classes of glider

GNSS flight recorders

With the development of affordable satellite navigation, the International Gliding Commission of FAI created a special standard for flight recorders. These recorders help make sure gliding competitions and records are fair by tracking the exact position of the glider.

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

OSTIV

The Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile (OSTIV) is an associated body that helps connect glider manufacturers and pilots. It allows them to share experiences and opinions about gliding.

Awards

The International Gliding Commission gives special awards for great achievements and important contributions to 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.