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For The Record Book

NAA/FAI HAS LOGGED 'EM SINCE 1905

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The FAI is the sole international sporting body qualified to make and enforce rules to encourage and control ... aviation records.
                          —FAI Code Sportif Section 1.2.1

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16                                   NAVAL AVIATION NEWS

OF THE THOUSANDS of eyes fixed on Project LANA Phantom II's as they telescoped the existing transcontinental speed record, the surveillance of two gentlemen named Lou Davis and Bill Zint was the only one that counted—for the book, anyway. Precisely positioned astride a coast and Geodetic Survey marker, Davis and Zint manned devices at NAS NEW YORK which permitted them to establish the exact (in fractions of seconds) moment each of the Bendix Trophy aspirants crossed the finish line.

Earlier from another survey marker location some 2445.9 miles away at Ontario International Airport, Calif., Burt Locanti, with the use of special equipment, had made similar observations to fix the start of the record setting runs from west to east.

The three timers involved in the 24 May speed classic were volunteer official observers of the National Aeronautic Association, the U.S. affiliate of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). The recording methods they employed were the first step in the traditional process whereby aviation achievements are started on the road to recognition as official international records.

Beginning in 1905 when it certified an official world speed record of 41.292 kilometers per hour and a distance record of 220 meters, FAI has become the supreme arbiter of all aviation records. Only holders of FAI "sporting licenses" may compete for a record, and only those records made in accordance with the strict rules of its code and certified by its Paris headquarters can be recognized as official.

FAI recognizes three general classes of aircraft records: national, world class, and world. There are only six true "world" records: (1) distance in a straight line without landing, (2) distance over a closed circuit, (3) altitude, (4) speed over a straight course, (5) speed over a closed circuit, and a newly established record (6), altitude in horizontal sustained flight. The United States holds all of these except the last, which has yet to be claimed. U.S. Navy aircraft hold two of these records: for distance in a straight line without landing, Cdr. T. D. Davies in 1946 successfully piloted the P2V Truculent Turtle from Perth, Australian, to Columbus, Ohio. Current record holder for speed over a closed circuit is Cdr. John F. "Jeff" Davis and the F4H Phantom II.

The exact number of possible world class records is a matter of conjecture and is certainly many times the number now claimed. Each class of aircraft is subdivided by weight, and the events are subdivided in various ways, such as time to climb to 3000 meters, to 6000 meters, etc. In addition, there is a possible official record between any two cities of international importance, for example, between New York and Paris.

FAI was first organized at the urging of a Frenchman, a German and a Belgian. In 1905, the Aero Club of France issued invitations for representatives of other clubs of the world to meet in Paris to establish a federation for the promotion of the art and science of aviation. The Aero Club of America was among the eight national clubs represented. On 14 October 1905 the FAI was officially born with the signing of the first statures and by-laws.

Objectives for the organization adopted at the first meeting remain unchanged today. One of those objectives was "through the international regulation of aviation sport, [to insure] the control and comparison of aerial performance throughout the world, this contributing to progress in aeronautical construction."

FAI carries out its world-wide program through affiliated national aero clubs. NAA is the U.S. member of FAI and is responsible for the conduct of aviation activities in this country coming under FAI rules and policies. Organized in 1922 as the successor to the Aero Club of America, it is the only organization in the United States which can officially sanction and certify world record flights, both civilian and military.

In the U.S., records controlled and measured by officials of NAA are presented for certification. Each attempt requires the services of a large number of officials——timekeepers, technical stewards, clerks of the scales, etc.——to monitor and document the record. For instance, eight of NAA's 103 certified officials observed the Heath/Monroe A3J altitude record flight on 13 December 1960. A record attempt is no casual affair. Every precaution is taken to insure the authenticity of the record.

Duties of NAA officials vary greatly. New observers sometimes serve an apprenticeship lying on their backs in the desert, lining up crossed wires marking the point the contest aircraft must cross and taking the time as it does so. Other assignments include calibrating complex timing equipment, removing film from contest aircraft, staying with it until it is processed, and returning it to the chief Timer or Directing Official of the run.

U.S. courses over which record runs are made come under NAA jurisdiction. Record attempt applications must

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HIGH IN BLUE, exact moment of speed run finish is recorded by NAA Askania camera. Measuring methods include visual sighting.

JULY 1961                                             17