International Scientific and Technical Soaring Organisation

About OSTIV

The objectives of the OSTIV are to encourage and co-ordinate internationally the science and technology of soaring and the development and use of the sailplane in pure and applied research, the design, airworthiness and operation of gliders of all types, and the safety and training of pilots. The constitutional objectives of the OSTIV are achieved by seeking new knowledge, by encouraging dissemination through symposia and publications and by consultation with authorities.

OSTIV has the special status of an International Affiliated Member of FAI. Each party, the OSTIV and the FAI, has the right of representation –with voting right – in the General Conferences of the other party, and the right to appoint observers: the OSTIV to the meetings of the International Gliding Commission (IGC) of the FAI and the IGC to the meetings of the Sailplane Development Panel, the Training and Safety Panel and Meteorological Panel of the OSTIV.

Panels of OSTIV

Meteorological Panel

MET Panel, brings together leading scientists, pilots, researchers, engineers, directors of companies in the field of Meteorology for Soaring to exchange information on their latest research progress which covers a wide range of critically important topics.

Sailplane Development Panel

The Sailplane Development Panel (SDP) is the working group of OSTIV dedicated to all questions concerning the design and safety of sailplanes and powered sailplanes.
The SDP provides advice to the International Gliding Commission of FAI in technical aspects and to EASA concerning amendments of CS-22.

Training and Safety Panel

The Training and Safety Panel (TSP) collects and discusses safety records from member countries, compares training methods and successes, and develops strategies for mitigating risks through safety and training initiatives.

The OSTIV Congress

The OSTIV Congress is held simultaneously with the World Gliding Championships at the same site and addresses all scientific and technical aspects of soaring flight including motorgliding, hanggliding, paragliding, ultralight sailplanes and aeromodeling.

Opportunity for presentation and discussion of papers is given in the following categories:

  • Scientific Sessions: Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics as related to soaring flight.
  • Technical Sessions: Aerodynamics, Structures, Materials, Design, Maintenance and Sailplane development.
  • Training and Safety Sessions: Training and Safety, Coaching, Health and Physiology.

Technical Soaring

Recent scientific advances in meteorology and sailplane technology are documented by the quarterly journal Technical Soaring which is published and managed by OSTIV.

The objective of Technical Soaring is to document recent advances in the science, technology and operations of motorless aviation.

Become a Member

How to become an OSTIV Member ...