The CIAM Legends Medal has been introduced to honour the remarkable pilots who have won the title of FAI World Champion in any Aeromodelling or Spacemodelling Competition at least three times.

Public recognition to inspire future generations

The CIAM Legends Medal, established by the FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM) in 2022, will be presented for the first time this year. This significant award aims to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of the most skilled aeromodellers and spacemodellers. It also seeks to recognise these individuals as icons of their sport for all aspiring pilots, who demonstrate the hard work, dedication, and passion required to achieve greatness in air sports.

Who is eligible to become a CIAM Legend?

To be eligible for the CIAM Legends Medal, a pilot must have obtained at least three World Champion titles in any Aeromodelling or Space Models class. The World Champion title may be gained in different classes. The award is reserved for individuals only and can only be attributed once.

The first recipients

In 2023, the inaugural year, the CIAM Legends Medal will be awarded to 59 individuals, as CIAM have searched through the archives to analyse results from almost 800 World Championships in different classes, starting from 1951.

The United States currently boasts the most medal recipients, with ten individuals receiving the award. The pilots with the most world championship titles are Andreas Lüthi from Switzerland and Christophe Paysant-Le Roux from France, both with nine titles each. They are both currently active pilots. Paysant Le Roux earned his first title in 1999 and his ninth title at the 2019 FAI F3A World Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft in Italy. Lüthi won his first title in 2000 and his ninth at the 2022 FAI F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft in Norway.

FAI Medals and diplomas

The CIAM Legends Medal has been added to FAI’s list of prestigious medals and diplomas. These awards are intended to acknowledge individuals who have made valuable contributions to aeronautics and astronautics, specifically in the realm of sporting aviation. The awards ceremony takes place annually at the FAI General Conference's Opening Ceremony. This year's Conference is scheduled to take place in Dayton, Ohio, USA on 26 and 27 October.

Recipients

Sorted by National Airsport Control (NAC)