Receiving the Lilienthal Medal

by Alan Patching
The Lilienthal Gliding Medal
To reward a particularly remarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time, the FAI created this medal in 1938. It may be awarded annually to a glider pilot who has established an international record during the past year; or made a pioneer flight (defined as a flight which has opened new possibilities for gliding and/or gliding techniques); or rendered eminent service to the sport of gliding over a significant period of time, and is still an active glider pilot.
I was pleasantly surprised to be advised by Bob Henderson, President IGC, that I had been awarded the Lilienthal Medal at their meeting in March and that Max Bishop of the FAI would be in touch regarding the presentation.
Since I knew this would be in Europe, somewhere, I relaxed, knowing that Henk Meertens, the ASAC delegate, would collect and return it to Australia. However not only family and gliding friends but others who had looked it up on Google urged me to go and personally receive the award. Finding out the location and details of attending took until nearly the end of August so that it was after the deadline for registration! The Greek Aero Club, who were organising the event, were very accommodating and even more so when they did not receive my money until after we had returned home. The story about transfer of funds is another saga.
My daughter Margaret decided to accompany me and we spent four nights in Athens looking at very ancient ruins before flying to the island of Rhodes for the 101st FAI General Conference to be held in the town of Ixia, which is about five kilometres from the old town of Rhodos.
On arrival at the airport Margaret spotted the FAI welcome desk where they immediately produced a taxi for our hotel which was les than five minutes walk away from the conference. We had been given an overseas kit by my local federal member of parliament which enabled the conference hotel to fly an Australian flag along with others at the entrance.
The FAI Awards for 2006 were presented at the opening ceremony held in the grounds of the Rhodos Citadel attended by a gathering of over 150 people consisting of local dignitaries, FAI officials, members of delegations from participating countries and, of course, those recipients able to attend of which there were about 40 out of the 85 eligible.
For each presentation the complete submission was read while a photo of the recipient was displayed along with a summary of their achievements on a large screen. The FAI President, Pierre Portman, then made the presentation which, in my case, came towards the end, being a major award, and consisted of both a medal and a framed certificate.
There was a short presentation for Steve Fossett who was to have received a DE LA VALX Medal for his world records.
I renewed a number of friendships including Loek Boermans, President OSTIV, who received the Pirat Gehriger Diploma and Tor Johanason who competed for Norway in a number of World Comps and is a Companion of the FAI. At the closing dinner to which Margaret and I were also invited, another friend, Bernald Smith, USA, was admitted as a Companion of Honour.  
In making their recommendation for the award the GFA emphasised my contribution to glider airworthiness and in particular the fatigue of sailplanes. Newer members my not be aware that composite gliders started with a service life of only 3000 hours, which was ridiculously short considering at that time the GCV were flying their gliders 1000 hours each glider per year! A letter of support from Gerhard Waibel to the GFA acknowledged that the research done in to flight loads and the fatigue testing of a Janus wing, which was done at the RMIT University, has considerably extended the service life.
This work is described in my OSTIV papers and the RMIT video 'Beyond 3000' held by the GFA.
I had no official involvement in the FAI Conference; however I was invited to attend some sessions of interest which enabled me to meet Marina Galetto, Italian delegate and wife of George who spent last summer here in Australia coaching at a number of sites. He was very impressed with the Aussie scene both in regards to gliding and our style of living and we may see them both next time.
Margaret and I found the trip both interesting and rewarding and I would recommend any FAI award winner to make the journey for a personal presentation.
I would like to express my thanks to the VSA for their financial support and to the GFA who, on my return, made a significant contribution to the cost of the trip

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