The following information is taken from the 1993 Edition of the By-Laws of the FAI Statutes regarding the Montgolfier Diploma.

Each year, a FAI Member may submit the names of three candidates (one for each Diploma) with supporting documents. Candidates must be nationals or residents of the Member's country.

The "Montgolfier Year" is from November 21st to November 20th UTC.

Pleae click here to read about past recipients of the FAI Mongolfier Diploma

Criteria:

Diploma created by FAI in l960

3 can be awarded in any of all of the following categories:

1. Best sporting performance in previous year of a gas balloonist.
2. Best sporting performance in previous year of hot air balloonist.
3. Contribution to the development of the sport of ballooning in general.
4. Best performance in previous year - Rozier balloon.

Nominations for all categories must be into the FAI headquarters in Paris by December 31st. The Aero Club, in our case the NAA (National Aeronautical Association), must send the nomination, complete with ALL supporting documents to the FAI by this deadline.

The SUGGESTED BFA deadline to have all documents to the NAA is December 15th.The reason for these deadlines is that all nominations and documents must be attached, as appendices, to the CIAPlenary Agenda when mailed to Delegates in January. (1987 it was proposed that BFA nominees for the Montgolfier Award and other FAI & NAA Awards be approved by the BFA Board prior to submission.)

As stated in the FAI By-Laws the Montgolfier Diploma is awarded each year for three categories, best sporting performance for gas and hot air and a major contribution to the sport in general. At the 1993 CIA meeting it was decided to petition the FAI to add a category for best performance --Roziere balloon. It was also decided that in the case of Gas and Roziere performance diplomas would be awarded for both flight crew - pilot and co-pilot.

At the CIA meeting in March the Delegates consider each application. Sometimes there is one in each category and sometimes several, sometimes none. First the CIA votes whether any late submissions should be considered in the past five years this has always been "no", based on the fact that by now everyone should be familiar with the procedure.

The next vote is whether any of all the submissions are worthy of consideration. If this is "yes", then a vote is taken on who will be awarded the Diplomas.

Service to ballooning is always the toughest one. They are looking for someone who has done significant service, over the years, not only in their own country but internationally. For example several persons have been submitted for winning the World Championship, these have always been rejected because the CIA considers that an FAE gold medal is awarded for this achievement. When the USA decides to nominate a person they must be able to compare with other countries nominees. Some countries have extremely tough criteria before they nominate a person, these persons usually have the best chance of being awarded the diploma because of their extensive resume (CV's).

Performance flight awards are not so subjective. Everyone voting can recognise which submission is the best sporting performance. For example if there has been a record flight made during the year, in either category, it is normal to nominate this person for the sporting performance award. If several such flights have been made during the year then the awards committee should make their recommendation to the board stating their reasons. As will be seen by the awards given over the years, each category is not necessarily awarded each year. Nominations should be very carefully reviewed to make sure the high standards for the Montgolfier Diploma continue.