99 years after the first crossing of the Alps in an aeroplane by Geo Chávez flying a Blériot XI, on 14th April 2009 Eric Raymond completed the same journey in the solar-powered Sunseeker II, thereby becoming the first solar-powered aeroplane to make the journey.

In 1811 Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger attempted to cross the river Danube in Ulm (GER), using a self-built hang glider. The attempt ended in failure, but his pioneering efforts are celebrated by the town of Ulm which organises an international flight competition in his honour - the next one being the Berblinger Flight Competition 2011.

The theme of the 2009 FAI Young Artists Contest was tightly linked with this year's calendar of competitions : "Create a Poster for the World Air Games". We invite you to discover the winning paintings.

Following two years of successful coverage of major events, FAI has decided to confirm its official media partnership with Flying Aces Ltd for the production and distribution of television footage of FAI championships.