Federation Aeronautique Internationale - 102nd FAI General Conference 2008 - Aosta Valley, Italy

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, FAI - The World Air Sports Federation, was founded in 1905. It is a non-governmental and non-profit making international organisation with the basic aim of furthering aeronautical and astronautical activities worldwide, ratifying world records and coordinating the organization of international competitions. After a century of steady growth, FAI is now an organisation of some 100 member countries, forming a strong network linking all those who participate in air sports worldwide. The FAI website is at http://www.fai.org

AeCI - The Italian NAC The AeCI (Aero Club of Italy) brings together in a unique National Federative Organisation several Associations and Italian bodies whose aim is the development of aeronautics in education, sport, tourism, culture, social and civil utilities, and other related activities. The excitement surrounding the Wright Brothers' challenge brought about the birth in 1904 of the Società Aeronautica Italiana (SAI), whose purpose was to promote flying activities in all its forms. This enabled Italy to participate in the creation of the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) on 14 October 1905 in Paris along with seven other countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. AeCI has been the FAI representative for Italy since it was officially founded on 22nd November 1911.

AeCI comprises: 151 Aeroclubs
4 meritorious Corporates
6 affiliated bodies
136 microlight aviation clubs
9 sports federations

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Aosta Valley and Saint-Vincent The Aosta Valley is a mountainous Region in the north-west of Italy; it is bordered by France to the west and Switzerland to the north. It is the smallest, least populous, and least densely populated region of Italy. However thanks to his strategic position in the Alps and his mountain passes it has always been an extremely important strategic junction, including from a transport point of view (nowadays thanks also to the Mont Blanc and Gran San Bernardo Tunnels), between Italy and the rest of Europe. This autonomous and bilingual region is rich in monuments from prehistorical, Roman, medieval and later times. Aosta Valley is a unique pearl surrounded by Europe's highest mountains, you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes of the 4 pillars: Mont Blanc (4810 m ) a mountain sculpted in granite, Mont Rose (4,634 m) second highest mountain in the Alps, Matterhorn (4,478 m), with its characteristic pyramidal form and Gran Paradiso (4,061 m) hosting the famous National Park, inhabited by many wild animals protected species. Besides, gastronomy is a very important tradition in Aosta Valley, this region produces 20 types of red and white duly certified wines, famous Fontina cheese and a lot of tasty specialities.

Saint-Vincent is centrally located with respect to the valley axis. It is probably one of the most famous places in Aosta Valley, thanks also to the "Casino de la Vallée", one of the most renowned and largest casinos in Europe. Gently lying on the hillside, in a welcoming valley protected from the wind, with an extraordinary microclimate, to the extent that it is known as the Alps Riviera, with mild winters and cool summers at an altitude of 575 metres.

World Air Games - Turin 2009 The World Air Games (WAG) are the most important aviation event in the world. All sport events held will on two dimensions: Sport Air Games in the third dimension also dominate height, with liberty and United with competing and discipline like, solidarity and commitment. An event rich in shared values and fascinating. Developed and promoted by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique International) based in Lausanne in Switzerland, the two previous editions in 1997 and 2001 have been great successes. For the 2009 edition, the FAI has perfected their concept and refined the competitions, making them similar to Olympic events. Everything was aimed at spectacularity, thanks to worldwide television coverage with innovative technologies, side events, to general and specialist Press coverage. Viewers will be able to live competitions identifying themselves with the athletes, living their experiences, Understanding the rules of the game and skills necessary for victory. The 28 WAG competitions include all air sports, divided into 10 disciplines: from aviation to motor Gliders and helicopters, from parachuting to gliding, paragliding to ballooning, from Gas balloons to aeromodelling from ultralights to experimental aircraft. In each of these specialties the best athletes from around the world who have been selected and invited by the FAI will compete against each other, in a context designed to involve the public. A great and exciting festival of the Air that will attract spectators from all over the world: not only students but sports fans who follow these events with interest, and the general public will remain spellbound by these days of outdoor festivities.

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