David Monks has been elected as the new President of World Air Sports Federation FAI for a two-year term. His election took place at the 114th FAI General Conference held online from 2 to 5 December 2020.
An electrical engineer by profession, Monks, 53, from the United Kingdom, caught the bug for aviation when learning to fly helicopters in 1995. Since then, he has held positions in several air sports organisations, including Chairman of the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom and of the Helicopter Club of Great Britain at the time of his election. He has also been very active within FAI, namely the FAI Rotorcraft Commission and the FAI Air Sport General Commission, since 2009.
Over the years, David Monks has participated in many FAI Championships and regional competitions, winning the bronze medal at the 2008 FAI World Helicopter Championships and two silver medals at the 2012 FAI WHC. An ardent promoter of air sports, he is the organiser of all UK competitions and introduced new competition formats in his country. He is also a holder of three FAI World records.
Reacting to his election, he said: “I'm delighted with my appointment. I am pleased to have a newly elected Executive Board behind me to ensure we all deliver on the vision we have for FAI responding to the current challenges we are presented with.”
David Monks’s mandate commenced immediately at the end of the Conference. He succeeds Bob Henderson (NZL), who held the reins of FAI for two years. The Conference appointed Henderson as FAI President of Honour.
The annual FAI Awards Ceremony took place on 2 December as part of the Conference, in the format of an online Awards Announcement. A total of 44 women and men from around the world were announced as the recipients of FAI diplomas or medals. All of them are air sports and space personalities, who have distinguished themselves in the various air sports and activities governed by FAI.
A total of 170 participants representing 57 countries attended the 114th FAI General Conference.
Traditionally an in-person event, the Conference was moved online to accommodate the health risks and travel difficulties raised by the pandemic. The schedule, usually planned over two days, was extended to four days and broken into shorter sessions to make it easier for attendees to participate.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in The World Games.
