The international aviation body Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) has awarded an Honorary Group Diploma of Aeronautics to the Aerospace Maritime Defence Foundation of Australia (AMDFA). AMDFA is the driving force behind the Australian International Air Show.
AMDFA CEO Ian Honnery accepted the award from Australian Sport Aviation Confederation (ASAC) President Bob Close at a special ceremony in Sydney. ASAC nominated AMDFA for the award.
Honnery described the award as a "great honour and recognition of the work of so many people and organisations, starting with the Schofields Air Shows, through the Bicentennial Air Show and onto the current biennial International Air Show and Maritime and Defence exhibitions."
The award was established in 1965 by the FAI to recognise groups of people (design offices, scientific bodies, aeronautical publications, etc) that have contributed significantly to the progress of aeronautics and astronautics during the previous year or years.
AMDFA, over a period of some 19 years, has contributed to the advancement of aeronautics through its showcase events, the highest profile of which is the Australian International Air Show, now recognised as one of the world’s major air shows.