Lausanne, Switzerland – Throughout the year 2024, FAI will celebrate the anniversaries of outstanding records and achievements in air sports and spaceflight, highlighting them through a series of articles and social media messages.
Important feats to recognise for 2024 include:
- The first helicopter record ever ratified by FAI: Etienne Oehmichen’s flight in 1924
- The first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by Joseph Kittinger in 1984 – a Distance record
- Bruce McCandless’ first untethered spacewalk in 1984
- The record-breaking parachute jump by Alan Eustace from an altitude of 41 422 m in 2014
Exceptional records
Drawing up rules, and controlling and ratifying aeronautical and astronautical world and continental records are pivotal aspects of FAI activities.
Since the first record-setting flights were recorded in 1906, the FAI has ratified thousands of records. In commemorating record anniversaries, the World Air Sports Federation also aims to honour the exceptional individuals behind these achievements and highlight the remarkable stories that led them towards gaining their place in the history books.
Momentous achievements and firsts
FAI will also commemorate outstanding achievements and firsts dating back to as early as the 19th century. Symbolising the triumph of human determination, bravery, and skill, they mark milestones in the history of air sports and space exploration
