News

by Lynne Newton, Exhibitions Curator, Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Shared by Lindsay Muir, UK Delegate, FAI Ballooning Commission.

The Britannia Trophy is awarded by the UK's Royal Aero Club to the British aviator/s who accomplished the most meritorious performance in aviation during the previous year. In 2024 the trophy honoured three young pilots who showed remarkable courage during the tragic accident of an experienced pilot and close friend, Peter Gregory.

On 27 October 2004, the American adventurer Steve Fossett set a new speed record in a Zeppelin NT airship. His speed of 115 km/h still stands today, 20 years on, as an absolute record. 

• See record file

Fossett managed to beat the existing record of 92.8km/h which had been set by James Dexter and Michael Kendrick in 2000.

A piece of ballooning memorabilia has crossed continents to take up a new residence in the FAI Secretariat offices in Lausanne. The clock – decorated with a golden balloon on the glass casing – is a symbol of the firm friendship between two American balloon pilots, who also travelled to Switzerland during the ballooning careers: it was gifted by Connie Wolf to Tony Fairbanks, and has been donated to FAI by Tony's son, Michael, a balloon pilot and historian.

By Ruth Wilson, CIA Alternate Delegate for Australia and Member of the CIA PMR subcommittee

History and anniversaries make good companions. On 24 September 1852, Frenchman Henri Giffard, an engineer and inventor, attached a small steam-powered engine to a huge propeller to move through air in a dirigible or airship for the inaugural flight. Records show his flight covered 17 miles (27km) travelling at 6mph (10kph). 

Henri Giffard was 27 years old, and acclaimed earlier in that same year with inventing the steam injector.