Ross Macintyre Awarded The Lilienthal Gliding Medal

Compiled by Max Stevens

GNZ number 004, Ross A Macintyre, was awarded gliding’s highest honour at the annual meeting of the FAI Gliding Commission (IGC) in Switzerland, March 2010.

Ross joined the Wellington and Wairarapa Gliding Club in 1959. In 1963 he became the Press Officer for the 1st New Zealand Gliding Championships, to liaise with the local newspaper and to write a story of the Championship for Gliding Kiwi.

His work as publicity officer lifted the profile of the sport of gliding, with his articles being published for many years in many magazines. In 1970 he took over the Awards work for the NZGA, a role he continued until his relocation to the UK in 1992.

He found a number of areas in the Sporting Code that could be improved and recommended the code be reworded. Nearly all his recommendations were accepted by the IGC.

In 1990, when the IGC meeting was held in New Zealand, the Sporting Code Committee Chairman took the opportunity to visit Ross in Auckland and in a couple of days of hard work, they reworded a great deal of the Code into more accurate English. In 1999 Ross took over the chairman’s position on the Sporting Code Committee, a position which he still holds today.

Under his chairmanship the Sporting Code Gliding Section was rewritten many times over the years to keep up with advances in technology. Visual sighting from the ground was replaced by photographic evidence. Then photographic evidence and barographs were replaced by the electronic flight recorders we have today.

In addition Ross is often consulted by the FAI or by various National Airsport Controls for advice on problems that they have found in claims for badges or records. His contribution to the sport of gliding and his enthusiasm and dedication to the whole area of awards and the updating and maintenance of the Sporting Code over some 29 years is remarkable. Under his leadership the IGC Sporting Code Committee has carried out their work tirelessly and efficiently.

When Ross learned of his nomination by New Zealand, he was flabbergasted – in fact he exclaimed that his “flabber had never been so gasted!”

The Lilienthal Gliding Medal rewards a particularly remarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time, the FAI created this medal in 1938. It may be awarded annually to a glider pilot who has: - established an international record during the past year; or made a pioneer flight (defined as a flight which has opened new possibilities for gliding and/or gliding techniques); or rendered eminent service to the sport of gliding over a significant period of time, and is still an active glider pilot.

Ross joins a very select band of Kiwis awarded the Lilienthal: 2010 Ross Macintyre 2002 John Roake 1994 Terry Delore 1991 Ray Lynskey 1985 Dick Georgeson