The 118th FAI General Conference was held from 19-21 November 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with 120 registered participants in attendance. The event, hosted by the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC), saw representation from 55 FAI Members and 14 FAI Commissions.

A significant highlight of the event was the election of American Greg Principato as the new FAI President for a two-year mandate.

FAI President Greg Principato

The new FAI President said:

“FAI is the oldest global air sports organisation. It has a rich history – FAI history in many ways is the history of flight. I am so excited and honoured to have been chosen to lead FAI as President. There is much to do, and I can’t wait to get started.”

The Conference commenced with the annual FAI Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 19 November, where the prestigious Medals and Diplomas were presented by FAI President David Monks and SAC General Supervisor Dr. Ahmed F. Alfahaid.

Conference Highlights

The full minutes of the Conference will be available at the beginning of 2025

Elections

Greg Principato of the USA was elected for a two-year mandate.

At the recommendation of the newly elected FAI President and the Royal Aeroclub of the United Kingdom, the FAI General Conference bestowed the title of President of Honour upon David Monks who didn’t stand for re-election.

Six Executive Board members were elected or re-elected.

Composition of the Executive Board after the Conference

L to R: Timo Hyvönen, Agust Gudmundsson, Gillian Rayner, Greg Principato, Marina Vigorito, Mary Anne Stevens, Igor Erzen, Markus Haggeney

President

• Greg Principato, USA, elected

Executive Directors

• Igor Erzen, Slovenia, elected
• Agust Gudmundsson, Iceland, re-elected
• Timo Hyvönen, Finland, elected
• Gillian Rayner, France, elected
• Mary Anne Stevens, Canada, elected
• Marina Vigorito, Italy, re-elected

Secretary General

• Markus Haggeney, Germany (non-voting member)

Budget

• The 2025 Budget was approved by the Conference.

Membership

• New FAI members welcomed (Active, class 10):
  • Botswana – Parachute Association of Botswana
  • Morocco - Royal Moroccan Federation of Light and Sports Aviation
  • Montenegro - Aeronautical Sports Federation of Montenegro
  • Oman - Oman Air Sports Committee
• Temporary membership for 2025 granted for:
  • Cambodia - Cambodian Airsport Federation (new)
  • Laos – Lao Airsports Club
  • Paraguay - Paraguayan Parachutists Association

Companions of Honour

• Jacques Berlo, Belgium
• Sir David Hempleman-Adams, United Kingdom
• Eric Mozer, USA

Future General Conferences

• Bid from Finland to host the 119th General Conference 2026 (Vantaa, Finland, 22-24 October 2025) approved
• Bids are open for the 120th General Conference 2026