Welcome

Thierry Montigneaux welcomed the attendees on behalf of the FAI Secretariat. He conveyed the regret of Roland Stuck and Alvaro de Orleans-Borbon. Both men had unavoidable issues that prevented them from attending the meeting.

Thierry described the goals for this meeting:

1. As a follow-up to the meeting held two years ago in Paris.
2. To begin formalizing plans for future FAI involvement in simulation flying as an activity.
   
   • Identify ideas.
   • Review documents.
   • Create a road map for future action.
3. To exchange information about developments within each country.

Status Report from Countries

France (report by Alain Apers):

• The national simulation federation has existed for approximately three years.
• The federation has grown in membership to approximately 2,000 individuals.
• The main responsibility of the federation is production of the magazine on CD-ROM.
• From a beginning of 3 clubs the federation has grown by more than 15 additional associations (including one in Belgium).
• The magazine is perceived to be the key benefit. Without the magazine it is believed that the federation might not exist.
• The federation has been able to organize a number of exhibits and events.
• One major project has been to create a simulation reproduction of the around the world flight of the Airbus A340 “World Ranger”.
• The federation is trying to organize a French simulation championship.
  
  • The obstacles are not monetary. The money is available from companies that are very interested in supporting the event.
  • The main issue is in getting people to participate as volunteer support for the event. There is no difficulty in getting pilots to participate.
• An additional goal of the federation is to establish group-buying power.
• A main strategy of the federation is to assist formation of local clubs.

Italy (report by Pino Finizio):

• The Italian federation submitted a written report for the meeting.
• The federation operates as an umbrella structure for clubs which are autonomous.
• The federation publishes a magazine called ‘Simula’.
• Although the federation started with many members it has experienced a decrease in membership. Currently the federation has about 500 members.
• The federation tried to pull simulation clubs into real flying clubs. This strategy was not successful.

Spain (report by Angel Casado and José Ramon Pascual):

• The federation has had good success with meetings and events.
• The federation has approximately 700 members on the mailing list. There are 300 paid members in the federation.
• The federation operates a Home Page currently in Spanish but believes that the offering will need to shift to English for broader impact.
• The federation works closely with the Spanish Aero Club.
• One goal is to conduct a championship event next year.
• The organization is working with Microsoft to do Spanish translations.
• The federation has a different problem insofar as they have a strong corps of volunteers and fewer pilots.
• The Spanish federation is not a union of clubs. The organization is a central association of members.

Denmark (report by Axel Nielsen):

• The Royal Danish Aeroclub (KDA) is initiating a simulation flying organization with two goals.
  
  • To bring discipline and recognition based on the planes the pilots fly.
  • To create a link between simulation clubs and flying clubs.
• The new organization will be part of the KDA but it will have its own identity.

Additional countries (reported by Thierry Montigneaux):

Switzerland - The Aero Club of Switzerland is talking to local groups and is preparing to organize a national federation.

Austria and Germany - both countries are developing in the same directions. Austrian is organizing a cyberflying competition based on gliding. Both countries are developing organizations that have strong connections to flying clubs. Each country sees simulation flying as a step towards participation in actual flying activity.

South Africa - the country has an association of virtual flying enthusiasts. The organization has their own events and participates in aero club events.

Ireland and New Zealand - there is activity yet no critical mass to stimulate formation of an organization.

Activity of FAI

The FAI is working on creation of draft competition rules.

Max Bishop reported that the FAI official attitude is one of enthusiasm and support for development of simulation flying as a sporting activity. Bishop said that the FAI view is that simulation flying is an independent sport, a stand along activity. He emphasized that FAI is involved because this is viewed as a legitimate sporting activity. He concluded by saying that the goal of the FAI is to create and support a sense of community among simulation participants by creating a structure that adds value to the experience.

FAI agreed to recognize the Aero Club de France Virtual License but it is important to understand that this is not an exclusive decision.

The FAI has started and is maintaining a simulation section of the FAI Home Page on the Internet.

Thierry Montigneaux reported that the FAI is in the process of recognizing the around the world simulation attempt (‘Virtual World Ranger’).

Sporting Code and Competition Rules

The draft code is based on documents developed by the FIVS (Italy).

Montigneaux asked that the participants review the document and offer comments at a later date. It was decided that the comments should be submitted to FAI not later than 31 January 2000. The comments should address the following:

• General purpose of the rules
• Organization of the document
• Specific notes

Montigneaux said that the updated version will be used in a test competition in 2000. Casado asked for clarification on the approval process by FAI. Montigneaux said that FAI will remain flexible and not seek creation of a Commission at this time.

With regards to the draft code, there was agreement that the Spanish and Italian groups will work together and submit recommendations on the same date.

Competitions

Montigneaux asked for opinions concerning the best format for starting competition. He suggested the possibility of air races as the best format. José Ramon suggested that precision flying is better. He said that it would take a shorter time to implement and the infrastructure is in place.

Montigneaux emphasized that FAI is interested in the elected representatives making the final determination as to the form and structure of contests. He said that FAI is simply suggesting that it is important to begin the process of operating and sanctioning competitions in order to facilitate establishing the structure of recognition.

The participants then had a general discussion about the nature of competitions and the possible FAI role in those events. There was general agreement that the goal of the FAI is and should be to work with any and all simulation groups to test the language and framework of the competition code. This cooperation will help to gain knowledge about the quality of the rules, where changes need to be made and to better identify the best way to offer recognition to participants.

Sanderson suggested that the FAI needs to issue a direct, documented invitation to all simulation groups inviting them to apply for FAI recognition of their events. He said that this invitation must be at the national level and that the invited organization must be recognized by the national aero club. He said that it is important for FAI to maintain proper working relationships with the national groups.

Montigneaux said that he would work on an official letter of invitation to all national simulation groups. He said that the letter would contain details of the proposed recognition.

FAI Competitor's License

Montigneaux introduced plans for implementing an FAI Competitor's License for simulation flying. He said that this program is for competitive and recognition programs only and is not related to the virtual pilot's license program of the Aero Club de France. He said that this will become an important tool to develop recognition for competitive and personal achievements.

Sanderson said that this program will have substantial value for both the FAI and national groups. He emphasized that the license, as planned, will provide support for national groups seeking to expand individual participation levels.

Montigneaux said that implementation will be after February 1st and that he will keep the groups advised of his progress.

World Air Games

José Ramon Pascual reported on plans for inclusion of simulation flying in the upcoming World Air Games.

• There will be three disciplines in the simulation event: gliding, aerobatics and rally.
• It is important for each country to help promote participation in these events.
• The time for planning is short.
• The organizers are working with companies as potential sponsors.
• The program has been accepted by the WAG2001 structure as a "show" event which means that it is outside the regular program budget.
• Special effort will be made to promote the events. The website is www.simuvuelo.org

Bishop noted the need for the president of the Spanish group to document their plans for this event and be sure to submit them to the President of the World Air Games Coordinating Committee.

Report from the Aero Club de France

Representatives of the Aero Club de France gave a comprehensive report of the Virtual Pilot project.

• The project is not competition related.
• The internet site is www.onlinepilot.com
• The project identifies three target markets: pilots, simulation and the internet. It is the goal of the online pilot project to be in the middle of these three worlds.
• There are four levels of participation: Theoretical, VFR, IFR and Professional.
• FAI recognition of the program is important and is appreciated by the organizers.
• The program is supported by key business partners: Aerospatiale, Microsoft, IBM, Air France and Aeroports de France (ADP).
• Monetary options associated with the site include payment for a hard copy certificate, the possibility to buy a CD for training and joining the aero club.

Technical Issues

The following points were brought to the attention of the meeting, for information mainly, as they may require action in the future.

a) approving aircraft files : Montigneaux raised the question of the varying quality of aircraft files created by third-party companies or individual designers and made available to simulated pilots. There will be a need for pilots entered into a competition or flying records to fly realistic aircraft and compete on equal and fair grounds. Several options exist, for example:

• develop an FAI-centralised list of approved aircraft
• leave the responsibility of accepting aircraft file to local competition organisers

José Ramon reported that Spain had had good experiences with accepting locally, after verification, aircraft files submitted by pilots prior to the start of a competition. He suggested that a similar approach be followed for international competitions.

b) software requirements : programs and add-ons to existing flight simulators will be required to control and validate competition and record flights. Montigneaux proposed to establish a check-list of the programs and features needed. Some existing programs could suit FAI’s needs with or without modifications. There was an agreement that FAI will publish this list of programs and features on the FAI web site.

Roadmap for the next 6 months

The following deadlines and roadmap were agreed upon by the meeting:

- ongoing : FAI to publish on the web site a survey asking simulated pilots what disciplines they are interested in competing in (Action: Montigneaux)

- ongoing : FAI to publish on the web the check-list of software requirements (Action: Montigneaux)

- by the end of January : FAI to publish an official letter of invitation to national simulation groups (Action : Montigneaux)

- by the end of January : feedback and comments on draft rules (action : ALL , Spain and Italy to work on merging their respective rules into a single set of comments and proposals)

- by the end of February : preparation of the next version of the draft rules, based on feedback received (action : Montigneaux & working group)

- June 2000 : Spanish test competition, to be registered into the FAI Sporting Calendar and opened to international participation (Action: José Ramon, RFAE & FAI Office)

End of the meeting

The meeting concluded at 17:00