The absolute record for helicopter altitude made in 1972 by celebrated French test pilot, Jean Boulet, still remains unbeaten on its 50 year anniversary. Boulet took the lightened Aerospatiale SA315 Lama 001 to an impressive 12,442m altitude on 21 June 1972, above Istres airfield in France. This absolute record for altitude was ratified by FAI, which holds the record dossier, as well as documents pertaining to Boulet’s other FAI records.

In 1922, to celebrate the centenary of the Independence of Brazil, Portuguese aviators Carlos Viegas Gago Coutinho and Artur de Sacadura Cabral set out from Lisbon with two goals: to make the first crossing of the South Atlantic and to test out a new astronomical navigation instrument. Landing in Rio de Janeiro on 17 June 1922, they achieved them both and their successful flight, during which they used no other means of navigational support, made a major impact upon the future of aviation.

It's only a few months to go and the 11th FAI Women’s World Gliding Championship preparations are racing ahead... Gliding would be nothing without the amazing and supportive international community. Glider pilots from all around the world helped raise funds to allow two Ukrainian pilots to compete. The organising team has members from all over the UK working hard to make WWGC2022 a special event, and they have volunteers from as far afield as New Zealand coming along to help out at the championships.

By Jonathan Perron-Clow (CAN)

Congratulations to Garry Lockyer (CAN), recipient of the 2022 CIA Montgolfier Diploma for Contribution to the sport of Ballooning

On this day in 1932, pioneering pilot Amelia Earhart touched down in Londonderry, Northern Ireland after a 15-hour transatlantic flight that started in Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada.

Completing this formidable journey made her the first woman ever to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. 

About Earhart’s transatlantic flight

Amelia Earhart was 34 years old when she took off in her single engine Lockheed Vega plane from Harbour Grace in Newfoundland on 20 May 1932.

In a couple of weeks, the Test event of the 18th FAI World Paragliding Championships will take place in the Chamoux-sur-Gelon in France. We have spoken to Julien Wirtz a local pilot and n4 in World paragliding XC ranking* about the peculiarities of flying there.

The next PG Worlds will take place in Chamoux.  How long have you been flying in this area?

The Balloon Live Team is very excited to announce the release of a major update and new version of the FAI Balloon Live app.

The new version has been completely redesigned and rewritten to offer an even better pilot experience and optimal in-flight features:

The 116th FAI General Conference, scheduled from 1st to 3rd November 2022, will take place online.

The event was originally planned to be organised by FAI Member the Aero Sports Federation of China (ASFC) and the Wuhan Municipal Government in Wuhan. However, the continuing uncertainties posed by the pandemic led the FAI Executive Board, in agreement with ASFC, to reconsider and opt for a virtual event.