RV-4 Pilot Holds 48 World Flight Records

Australian pilot, Jon Johanson, has been honored with the world's highest aviation award, the Gold Medal of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), to be given at a ceremony in Paris Friday night.

Johanson has received the gold medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of aeronautics in sport aviation.

The medal was presented at the opening ceremony of the conference celebrating 100 years of the FAI, according to the organization.

"Johanson's hard work, meticulous planning, initiative and commitment when building his own small aircraft were supremely demonstrated when he flew it over distances and terrains that would have challenged the most intrepid and skilful aviators in much larger, industrially produced aircraft," said FAI Secretary General Max Bishop.

Johanson (above), 49, has spent thousands of hours building, modifying and testing his single engine RV-4 sport aircraft, VH-NOJ for the long distance flights. He holds 48 FAI world records.  His record making flights have included:

• Three times around the world (heading east, west and north)
• Over the north pole (part of the third round the world flight)
• Over the south pole (first solo single engine)

"It is a huge honor to receive this international award," Johanson said. He joins the list of three other celebrated Australians who have been awarded the FAI Gold Medal. They are Bert Hinkler (1928), Sir Donald Anderson (1973) and Peter Lloyd (1989).

FMI: www.fai.org/fai_news_11_05