FAI congratulates Ronald Schnitker of the Netherlands on the receipt of his FAI Air Sport Medal for his efforts to improve and protect the rights of air sports and his long, dedicated and outstanding services to aviation.

Drawing upon his professional expertise in aviation law and his experience as a pilot and parachutist, Schnitker has long advocated for air sports athletes to enjoy freedom in the skies. He was integral to the conception of the FAI Manifesto for Preserving Airspace Access for Air Sports which was adopted at the 2018 FAI General Conference.

What is the FAI Manifesto?

Against increasing military and commercial demand for air space, air sports can be subject to restrictions which limit access to the skies. Ronald Schnitker realised that although this issue of diminishing air space available for air sports was frequently experienced by aero clubs and organisations, it had never been addressed on a global basis. He wrote a short book covering the topic and proposed that FAI take the opportunity to unite and stand together to protect the rights of people practising air sports for leisure and in competition.

The idea of creating an FAI Manifesto at the 2017 FAI General Conference was met with enthusiasm by delegates. During the following year, the FAI Manifesto was drawn up, with reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UNESCO’s International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport.

The FAI Manifesto was unanimously adopted by delegates at the 112th FAI General Conference held in Luxor, Egypt in 2018.

• Read the FAI Manifesto

Ronald Schnitker hands copies of his book to colleagues at the FAI General Conference 2018

A high flier 

Schnitker has engaged with air sports and aviation for his whole life.and, as stated in the award application made by the Royal Netherlands Aeronautical Association (KNVvL), deserves recognition for having, “represented the interests of air sports with great commitment, expertise and perseverance in an inimitable manner for many years.”

Learning to fly a glider aged 15, Schnitker obtained his license and went on to become an instructor. He also gained his parachuting licence and holds a private pilots license. Air sports were not simply a pastime, however. In his professional life as a lawyer, he specialised in aviation law. His publications on this subject have been adopted as a resource for aviation courses.

Actively contributing to the administration and promotion of air sports, Schnitker was President of the Royal Netherlands Aeronautical Association (2015-2020), chair of the Netherlands Air Cadets (2015-2018) and a member of the FAI Statutes Committee (2013-2019). In 1996 he was awarded an FAI Paul Tissandier diploma.

Schnitker is also a propelling force behind the VIOD Foundation (a gliding club for government professionals), participating at all levels, from organising camps to towing and instructing. Several hundred participants from various governmental levels have taken part over the past 40 years and have helped give insight and understanding to policy regulators as well as bringing new participants to gliding.

At the awards ceremony on 18 June 2025 during the national Members' Council meeting of the KNVvL in Woerden, Netherlands, Wendel Lynch from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said, “Ronald Schnitker’s contributions to air sports recreational flying have been essential and considerable. His legacy will continue to inspire and impact the present and future generation of aviators.”

Ronald Schnitker holds his FAI Air Sport Medal certificate at the ceremony in June.