2022 FAI CIA Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
April 15, 2022 - The 2022 Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Ballooning Commission (CIA) Hall of Fame inductees were announced in Rome, Italy, during the March 2022 plenary meeting. The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, the home of the FAI CIA Balloon and Airship Hall of Fame, is delighted to announce that Vincent Leӱs of France and Dr. Carol Rymer-Davis of the United States are this year’s inductees. The Balloon Museum extends its congratulations to the honorees and their families on being brought into this cadre of distinguished aeronauts.
Vincent Leys has been quoted as saying that the fascination of gas ballooning to him is “liberty!” and he calls his experiences in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett the “best expression in balloon flying.” Born in Lille, France, Leys received his gas ballooning license in 1977 and his hot air license in 1979. He has more than 2,800 hours in gas balloons and more than 1,500 hours in hot air balloons. Winning the Gordon Bennett on his first attempt in 1997, he has participated in the race nineteen times, placing second in 2014 and third in 2019. As a nine-time winner of the Gordon Bennett (1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017), Leӱs is the most decorated pilot in the history of long-distance gas balloon competition.
Leys was awarded a Montgolfier Diploma in 2002 and received the André de Saint-Sauveur Prize from the Sports French Academy in 2003. He broke the French altitude record (6,176 m) for AA-05 during the 2006 Gordon Bennett. In 1994, Leys broke the French duration record for AA-02 with 13h 55min, which was also broke the World Record that year. He competed in his first America’s Challenge in 2019, placing second overall, while breaking the French distance record (2,135.97 km) for AA-05. His most recent duration record was set during the 2019 Gordon Bennett with his flight of 89h 16min (AA-05).
Dr. Carol Rymer-Davis started ballooning in 1972 and earned her gas certification in 1975. Rymer-Davis early on broke AX-5 World Records in altitude (1978, 1979), distance (1980), and duration (1980), which led to her receiving a Montgolfier Diploma in 1981. Her other accomplishments in hot air ballooning include placing second in the 1st Ladies World Cup in Saga, Japan (1990) and becoming the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) Colorado State Champion in 2002. Rymer-Davis served with the BFA as a member of the board of directors, treasurer, secretary for the competition division, on the gas balloon events committee, and as a master crew chief. She also served as a safety officer at a number of ballooning events throughout the years.
Rymer-Davis is remembered as one of the most accomplished female gas balloon pilots in the history of the sport. She received a second Montgolfier Diploma in 2000 for achievement in gas ballooning. She flew in four America’s Challenge races, placing first in 2003. Rymer-Davis participated in five Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett races, becoming the first woman to place first in 2004. For this historic win she also earned the prestigious Harmon Trophy, along with fellow crewman Richard Abruzzo. In 2006, Carol was awarded the CIA Gold Badge with three diamonds for qualifying achievements in altitude, duration and distance. She is the only woman to receive this top honor in sport ballooning.
The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum looks forward to the 2022 induction ceremony that will be held at the Balloon Museum on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. This special Hall of Fame event will kick off the 50th anniversary celebration of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® at the Balloon Museum as it opens its new exhibit highlighting the history and joy of Balloon Fiesta® titled Canopy of Color, Celebrating Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta®.