At the kind invitation of the hosting FAI Member associations, FAI President Pierre Portmann recently visited air sport championships in Aksehir, Turkey and in Baikonur, the Russian space centre in Kazakhstan.
In Turkey, he had wide-ranging discussions with Turkish Aeronautical Association President Yusuf Güngör and his staff, on the occasion of the Open National Paragliding Championship. He was accompanied on this occasion by FAI Secretary General Max Bishop and CIVL President Flip Koetsier. This was the first official FAI visit to Turkey since the 1st World Air Games in 1997, and served to confirm the great potential that this country has for the development of air sports.
From there, the FAI President flew to Moscow for talks with Anatoly Starodubets, President of the Russian Federation of Aeronautical Sports, and then on to the 16th FAI World Space Modelling Championship at Baikonur. The Championship took place shortly after the launch of a full-size space vehicle, with space tourist and X-Prize benefactress Anousheh Ansari on board. Twenty four countries participated in this very successful contest, with a spectacular Opening Ceremony.
