Apply for your FAI sporting licence

CSPA and MAAC members: please contact your association for an application

Frequently Asked Question

What air sports organizations are members of the Aero Club of Canada?

Seven organizations are members of the Aero Club of Canada (ACC). They are as follows:

  • Aerobatics Canada (AC)
  • Canadian Balloon Association (CBA)
  • Canadian Sport Parachuting Association (CSPA)
  • Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada (HPAC)
  • Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC)
  • Soaring Association of Canada (SAC)
  • Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada (UPAC)

What is an FAI sporting licence?

A sporting licence from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale / World Air Sports Federation (FAI) is required if you enter competitions in Canada in which you or your team may be setting a national or world record; competing in World Championships outside Canada; or for those who wish to accumulate points towards a world-ranking in FAI sanctioned competitionsThis licence is required in order to participate and for any of these records or rankings to be recognized by the international federation.

How do I know if I am eligible for a record?

Please reach out to your association to determine which records you are eligible to compete for. All associations have records specific to their Canadian air sport fully documented. For international records, you can check the FAI website at www.fai.org. A record must be a Canadian record first before you can apply for a world record.

How do I get a sporting licence ?

First, you must be a current member of one of the seven associations listed above. You must be a Canadian citizen or a resident of Canada for at least 185 days annually. You cannot hold a licence for two countries at the same time. You must study the sporting code as posted on the FAI site at www.fai.org.

The CSPA and MAAC request that their association members send their applications directly to their main offices rather than to the ACC office.

The fee is $75, payable by cheque, to Aero Club of Canada, or check your online banking for e-transfer capabilities. Send e-transfers to [email protected].

The CSPA and MAAC also accept credit cards. The expiry date for your sporting licence is Dec. 31 each year. It is advised that you don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Failure to obtain your sporting licence could let your whole team down so get it done as soon as possible.

What if I think I set a world record?

If you think you have set a world record, your first step is to visit the FAI website at  www.fai.org. Please check the records listed in your category. The FAI website lists the procedure for record attempts and has the accompanying downloadable documents which must be submitted. You will then advise the applicable Aero Club of Canada member association (as listed on this site) immediately, as we only have seven days to register your attempt with the FAI. 

Use the PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF A NEW WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT form. Your member association will verify and then forward your dossier to the Aero Club headquarters, within the allowable 120 days. The fee is currently 100 Swiss Francs, which will be billed to the ACC and we will, in turn, send the bill to your member association, who will collect it from you.

What about aeroplane records?

The Canadian Sport Aeroplane Association (CSAA) is presently inactive but ACC is hoping a group will come forward to reactivate it in the near future.

Championships

Webster Memorial Trophy
The John C. Webster Memorial Trophy Competition is held annually “to determine the top amateur aeroplane pilot in Canada,” with the intention of encouraging sporting aviation in Canada. Amateur pilots are invited to take part in regional elimination flight tests under the sponsorship of various organizations. Learn more here: www.webstertrophy.ca

Awards

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale / World Air Sports Federation (FAI) medals and diplomas give well-deserved public recognition to those who have made outstanding contributions to aeronautics and astronautics, especially in the field of sporting aviation. They are awarded each year at the opening ceremony of the annual FAI General Conference. Many of the recipients honoured have been closely involved with development of aeronautics and astronautics. The FAI offers a wide variety of general, individual and group awards. Through the Aero Club of Canada, many Canadians have been honoured over the years. For descriptions of each award, and a historical listing of winners in each air sport discipline, please visit www.fai.org/awards.

Do you have your FAI Sporting Licence?

CSPA and MAAC Members – please contact your Association to obtain the application