1.1               Constitution

              The Microlight and Paramotor commission (CIMA) is a permanent Commission of the Fédération Aéronautique nternationale (FAI), established to be responsible for all matters related to Microlights and Paramotors. CIMA’s work shall be in accordance with the FAI Statutes, the FAI By-laws, the General Section of the Sporting Code and these Internal Regulations.

1.2               Aims and responsibilities

The Microlight and Paramotor commission shall:

-               Make evident the essentially international spirit of microlighting and paramotoring as an instrument for bringing people closer together;

-               Promote physical and moral qualities, technical knowledge and skill as basic to microlight and parmotor activity;

-               Provide a forum for the exchange of information on, and discussions of safety and other matters in microlighting and paramotoring.

-               Create and promote international standards for microlighting and paramotoring.

-               Co-ordinate FAI member countries’ activities to further the development of microlighting and paramotoring throughout the world;

-               Establish and define regulations for world microlight and paramotor records;

-               Establish and enforce rules for, and ensure proper organisation of,international microlight and paramotor championships and competitions;

-               Award the organisation of First Category Events to capable event organisers;

-               Reward excellence in performance and outstanding contributions to microlighting and paramotoring by awards, medals and diplomas etc. as provided for in the FAI By-Laws and these Internal Regulations;

-               Keep current and up-to-date, Section 10 of the Sporting Code and its annexes, which shall not be in conflict with the General Section of the Sporting Code and/or the FAI Statutes and By-Laws. Amendments shall be in accordance with Chapter 10 of the General Section of the Sporting Code;

-               Prepare these Internal Regulations as authorised by paragraph 1.6.2 of the FAI Statutes, to cover CIMA procedures.

1.3               Duration

CIMA is a permanent Commission of the FAI, set up for an unlimited period of time.

1.4               Organization

1.4.1               CIMA shall comprise:

1.4.1.1               The Plenary Meeting, which is the governing body of CIMA and which must approve all documents issued or decisions taken by CIMA, its Bureau, CIMA Committees and Working Groups;

1.4.1.2               The Bureau, which, between Plenary Meetings, may exercise certain responsibilities and powers bestowed by the Plenary Meeting as specified in subsections 4.3 and 4.4 of these Regulations.

1.4.1.3               Permanent Subcommittees or temporary Working Groups set up by the Plenary Meeting to be responsible for or to study certain activities or matters.

1.4.2               Implementation of Directives

              Directives laid down by the Plenary Meeting may be implemented by the President, the Bureau, the Chairman of a CIMA Committee or Working Group or the Secretary, in accordance with the authority endowed by the Plenary Meeting.

1.5               Language of CIMA

              The working language of CIMA is English and all documents, minutes, rules etc. shall be prepared and/or presented in English.

1.6               Certificates of Proficiency

              CIMA expressly requests that each FAI Member accept and recognise Certificates of Proficiency (Colibri badges) issued by another FAI Member in accordance with Section 10 of the Sporting Code.

1.7               Awards

              CIMA may award medals, diplomas etc. in accordance with the FAI by-laws and Sporting Code Section 10, the qualifications and procedures for the awards under the authority of CIMA are set out in Sporting Code Section 10.

1.8               Revisions of the internal regulations

1.8.1               These Internal Regulations shall be automatically revised in accordance with any change in the FAI Statutes, by-laws or the General Section of the Sporting Code.

1.8.2               Amendments to these internal regulations requires a 2/3 majority in the CIMA plenary meeting provided the proposed change is included in the Agenda notice and distributed before the correct deadline.

1.9               Form of publication

              The Agenda for the Plenary meeting, the minutes of each meeting and all attachments thereto will be made available in electronic form on one of the recognized FAI websites.

              (By Law 5.3)

2.1               CIMA Composition

              CIMA is composed of Delegates and/or Alternate Delegates appointed by FAI Members in accordance with FAI by-law 5.3. All Delegates and Alternate Delegates are representatives of their respective FAI Member and each statement, motion and proposal made in CIMA proceedings is made on behalf of the FAI Member and are representative of Microlight and Paramotor pilots or community in that country.

              It is expected that FAI members shall appoint one delegate who is acknowledged as being an expert in microlighting and the other is an expert in paramotoring.

2.2               CIMA Officers & Officials

              All CIMA officers and officials must have the support of their national FAI member.

3.1               Authority

              (By Laws 5.7.3)

              The Plenary Meeting is the policy and decision making body of CIMA and authority for any procedures or actions may only come from the Plenary Meeting (see also 4.3).

3.2.               Timetable & Schedule

              The Plenary Meeting shall normally take place over a two to four days period (including a weekend) in November. It shall be preceded by or include Bureau and Subcommittee meetings.

              The schedule and timetable for meetings shall be established by the President of CIMA in consultation with the Bureau and the chairmen of subcommittees.

3.3               Location

              (By Laws 5.6.3)

              The FAI by-law 5.6.3 states that CIMA shall normally meet at FAI Headquarters. However provided a two thirds majority approve, CIMA may meet in other locations, which shall be selected by means of a vote on hosting proposals made by Delegates. Any bid to host the meeting in another location shall be made in writing to the CIMA. The host organisation must provide gratis sufficient meeting facilities with wireless internet, normal AV equipment, at least one computer with printer and a copy machine. The host organisation must also pay all travel and subsistence costs of one FAI staff member who may be directed to attend by the Secretary General of the FAI.

3.4               Notice of the meeting

              Notice of the meeting shall be circulated by the CIMA president at least 75 days before the meeting.

3.5               Extraordinary meetings

              No extraordinary meetings of the plenary shall be convened.  Urgent matters arising between Plenary meetings will be dealt with by the Bureau, subject to ratification at the next Plenary meeting.

3.6               Composition of delegations

              An active or associate member of FAI may be represented at the Plenary Meeting by one Delegate and one Alternate Delegate, who may be accompanied by one interpreter and such observers as are appointed by the member. All travel and subsistence costs for the delegation are the responsibility of the member.

              Only Delegates and Alternate Delegates have the right to speak at the Plenary Meeting, except as specifically permitted by the Chairman of the Meeting.

3.7               Agenda

3.7.1               Proposals for the Agenda

              The Agenda will be established by the CIMA President. Written proposals for inclusion on the Agenda should reach the CIMA President and secretary no later than 45 days before the date of the meeting by:

-               An FAI member, signed by the President and /or Secretary thereof

-               A CIMA delegate

-               A CIMA Committee or temporary working group

-               The CIMA President

              The Plenary meeting cannot make final decisions on items that do not appear on the Agenda except as provided by 3.8.3

3.7.2.               Circulation of the Agenda

              The agenda and information for convening the meeting shall be sent out by the FAI Headquarters at least 45 days before the date fixed for the meeting.

3.7.3.               Contents

The Agenda shall contain at least the following items:

a. Minutes of the last meeting

b. Declarations of Conflicts of Interest

c. Written reports from the:

-               CIMA President on his activities and the activities of ClMA since the last meeting.

-               CIMA Bureau’s interim actions

-               Secretary General of the FAI on the activities of the FAI since the last meeting. This report may be presented by the CIMA president if the Secretary General is unable to attend.

-               Chairman of each CIMA Subcommittee.

-               CIMA Treasurer including audited accounts for CIMA.

-               All NACs, including Microlight and Paramotor Activity reports including accident and incident statistics and significant issues.

d. Reviews of past championships, including reports from International Juries and stewards.

e. Bids for future First Class events and appointment of officials

f. Budget for CIMA.

g. Election of the President, bureau, subcommittee and working group chairmen, and delegates to FAI technical commissions.

h. Deadlines, dates and location of the next plenary meeting.

3.7.4               Reports

              All written reports, and written summaries of all verbal reports given to the Plenary Meeting must be given to the CIMA Secretary before the end of the meeting to be included in the minutes.

3.8               VALIDITY

3.8.1               Quorum

              A quorum consists of the personal presence of at least twenty percent of the CIMA delegates registered with the FAI.

3.8.2               Seconding

              A vote on any proposals or item on the Agenda (or any amendment therefore proposed before or during the meeting,) shall be valid provided the item has been moved and seconded by persons entitled to vote under 3.9

3.8.3               Items not on the Published Agenda

              Any item not on the agenda may be added to it only if agreed to by at least two thirds of the Delegates present or represented by proxy. ( by laws 5.6.4 )

3.9               Voting rights

              ( By Law 5.5.Verbatim )

5.5.1.               Subject to the provisions of Sections 5.3. and 5.4., each Delegate to an FAI Air Sport Commission or Technical Commission shall have one vote. In case the Delegate is unable to exercise this right, and subject to the provisions of Sections 5.3. and 5.4., the Alternate may vote on behalf of the Delegate.

5.5.2. If no alternate delegate is available and if no substitute has been appointed under the provisions of 5.3.3, a proxy may be given to one of the other delegates, except to the Commission President, who shall not have the right to cast proxy votes. All proxies must be given in writing and be signed by the President or Secretary General of the FAI Member concerned.

5.5.3. A Delegate may represent and vote on behalf of only one other Member of the FAI.

3.10               Voting at meetings

              ( By Law 5.5 )

Postal voting is not permitted. Voting shall take place either by a show of hands or a secret vote.

A secret ballot shall be compulsory when requested by any one of the Delegates or their representatives attending a meeting.

When a secret vote takes place:

1)               Any ballot paper marked so that the source can be identified shall be considered invalid

2)               Any unmarked ballot paper shall be counted as an abstention.

Except as provided by 1.8.2, 3.3 and 3.8.3 decisions shall be taken on a simple majority vote of the Delegates present or their representatives. In the event of a tie in two successive votes (excluding abstentions) the President shall cast a deciding vote without appeal.

3.11               Amendments

              Any proposed amendment to an item under discussion may be made verbally or in writing. If requested by the CIMA President or any Delegate it must be made in writing and will be read out by the CIMA Secretary before a vote is taken. An amendment proposal must be seconded to be considered.

3.12               Documents

              The documents are (but are not limited to)

-               The minutes of the plenary meeting and all its attachments.

-               The internal regulations.

-               Sporting code Section 10

If no amendments have been made to a document the previous version continues to be valid.

              Minutes and amended internal regulations shall be sent to FAI Secretariat for publication no later than 18 days after the adjournment of the Plenary meeting.

              Amendments to Sporting Code Section 10 shall be sent to FAI Secretariat in good time to be published on the FAI website before their period of validity begins.

              ( By Law 5.4.1 )

4.1.               Composition

The Bureau will have the following members:

-               The President

-               Two vice presidents.

-               The Secretary

-               Treasurer (who may also be secretary or a vice President)

All bureau members shall have a vote in Bureau sessions (except as provided in By Law 5.4.14 and internal regulations 5.1.2)

Bureau Members may not be represented by others.

4.2.               Meetings

              The Bureau shall meet at least once a year immediately before the Plenary Meeting. It may meet at other times as decided by the President or be consulted in writing by the President. The president may invite guests to bureau meetings. Such guests shall have no voting rights.

4.3.               Duties and powers

              ( By law 5.4.2 )

              The Bureau shall act as a decision making body with the power to make decisions on matters that arise between Plenary meetings.  All Bureau decisions shall be made by consensus; however if no consensus can be reached the President has the right to use a majority vote to decide the issue.

4.4.               Authority

              The Bureau has full authority for any reasonable action necessary to discharge the responsibilities of CIMA, subject to:

a.               Any limitations within the FAI Statutes, by-laws and these internal regulations

b.               Any specific limitations imposed by the plenary meeting.

c.               Limits specified within the CIMA budget.

4.5.               Bureau quorum

              Bureau meetings are called by the CIMA President by notifying all Bureau members. A quorum of the Bureau shall consist of the President and two other members. No decision may be taken on any matter unless a quorum has been consulted by or given advice to the President. Bureau meetings may be 'Virtual' and conducted by email or other electronic means.

4.6               Ratification

              Any decision made by the Bureau is subject to ratification by CIMA and may be modified or repealed by CIMA.

4.7               Term of office

              The term of office for all bureau members is one year.

5.1.               President

5.1.1.               Election
( By Law 5.4.4 )

5.1.1.1               The Plenary Meeting shall elect a President for CIMA by a secret ballot for a one year term. ( FAI Statutes 5.1.2 .)

5.1.1.2               The candidates shall be chosen from the Delegates by a nomination ballot. The Incumbent President is also eligible.

5.1.1.3               To be eligible for nomination, a potential President must be fluent in English and should have an intimate knowledge of the organization of the FAI and CIMA.

5.1.1.4               If an absolute majority is not obtained on the first ballot (more than 50% of the votes cast), a second vote shall be taken at which a plurality shall ensure election. The elected President takes office at the end of the meeting. Presidents may be re-elected for an unlimited number of terms.

5.1.2.               Duties and powers of the President

              ( By Law 5.4.6 )

The ClMA President shall have the following powers and duties:

-               To represent CIMA

-               To convene the Plenary Meeting, Bureau meetings and Subcommittee meetings where appropriate or ensure that they are convened.

-               To act as Chairman of the Plenary Meeting, and Bureau meetings and to ensure compliance with the FAI Statutes, By-laws, Sporting Code and CIMA Internal Regulations. He has no vote unless otherwise provided.

-               To prepare a yearly report on the work done by CIMA for submission to the FAI General Conference in person. He shall also submit special reports as required by the FAI General Conference, FAI Executive Board or FAI President.

-               To review the minutes of meetings as prepared by the CIMA Secretary.

-               To attend meetings of the FAI Air Sport Commission Presidents Group and the meetings of the FAI General Airsports Commission.

-               To attend, if possible, all meetings of CIMA Subcommittees.

-               To appoint a vice president to carry out his duties when he will be unavailable for specific periods.

5.1.3.               Representation

              ( By Law 5.4.6.5 )

              The CIMA President shall no longer represent the FAI Member who appointed him Delegate and for the term of his Presidency that Member may appoint another Delegate in his place.

5.1.4.               President of Honour

              ( By Law 5.4.7 )

              CIMA may confer upon an outgoing President the title of President of Honour, who, subject to agreement from the FAI Member which he represented, may attend and participate in subsequent CIMA Meetings with no voting rights unless he is re-appointed a Delegate.

5.2.               Vice presidents

5.2.1.               Election

              ( By Law 5.4.8 )

              Vice Presidents shall be elected from the Delegates in the same manner as the President. A plurality of votes are required to ensure election.

5.2.2.               Duties

              ( By Law 5.4.9 )

              The Vice Presidents shall continue to represent the FAI member who appointed them Delegate unless called upon to act as President.

5.2.3.               Re-election

              ( By Law 5.4.10 )

              They may be re-elected for an unlimited number of terms and shall take office upon election.

5.3.               Secretary

5.3.1.               Election

              ( By Laws 5.4.11, 5.4.12 )

              The Secretary shall be elected in the same manner as the Vice Presidents.

              They need not be Delegates or Alternate Delegates to CIMA.

5.3.2.               The secretary's duties

              ( By Law 5.4.13 )

              The Secretary will assist the CIMA President in preparing the agenda for the Plenary meeting and shall be responsible for preparing and sending the minutes of each meeting to the President and FAI secretariat within 18 days of that meeting's adjournment.

              The Secretary will document and publish all Bureau decisions made between Plenary meetings.

5.4               Treasurer

5.4.1               Election

              The Treasurer shall be elected in the same manner as the Vice Presidents.

              They need not be Delegates or Alternate Delegates to CIMA.

5.4.2               The treasurer’s duties

              The treasurer shall be responsible for the finances of CIMA, in accordance with directions from the Plenary Meeting. The Treasurer shall publish a detailed financial report for delegates before each plenary meeting.

              They need not be Delegates or Alternate Delegates to CIMA.

5.5               Co-opted officers

              If no volunteer stands for election as secretary or treasurer and no Vice President is prepared to assume those duties, the President may co-opt suitable people to these posts. Co-opted members shall not participate in Bureau votes or count toward a quorum.

5.6               Resignation

5.6.1               If an appointed Officer at any time submits a written resignation to the Bureau, it shall be accepted with immediate effect and the Bureau will appoint a replacement as soon as practical. The replacement is subject to approval by CIMA at the next Plenary Meeting.

5.6.2               If an elected Officer at any time submits a written resignation to the Bureau, it shall be accepted with immediate effect and that Officer shall thereafter have no standing as a CIMA Officer.

5.6.3               If the President resigns, the 1st Vice President will assume the duties of the President for the remainder of the term.

5.6.4               If the 1st Vice President resigns, the 2nd Vice President will assume the duties of the 1st Vice President for the remainder of the term.

5.6.5               If the 2nd Vice President resigns, no replacement will be made until the next Plenary.

5.6.6               If the Treasurer or Secretary resigns, the Bureau will appoint a replacement to serve for the remainder of the term.

6.1.               Establishment

6.1.1               CIMA shall set up Sub-committees which shall generally have a permanent nature. These subcommittees shall have specific Terms of Reference for their work and responsibilities that must be approved by CIMA.. All subcommittees must report regularly to CIMA via the President.

6.1.2               CIMA shall set up working groups which shall generally have a temporary nature and will study and report on specific matters or proposals. Working groups shall have specific Terms of Reference for their work and responsibilities that must be approved by CIMA.  A working group will be disbanded upon completion of its assigned task. 

6.2               Composition

              Each subcommittee or working group normally consists of a Chairman and up to eight other individuals.

6.3               Eligibility

              Voting members of a sub-committee or working group must be currently appointed Delegates or Alternate Delegates to CIMA.

6.4               Terms of Office

              The Chairman of a CIMA sub-committee or working group shall be appointed annually and may be reappointed an unlimited number of times.

6.5               Members

              Delegates, alternate delegates and specialists nominated by their NAC are eligible to become members of subcommittees and working groups. CIMA delegates may, after consulting with the chairman, nominate their specialists or themselves to join the Subcommittee or working group subject to the chairman's decision on numbers. The chairman may restrict number of members to 7 + himself.

6.6               Advisers

              Each CIMA Committee may appoint Advisers who may or may not be Delegates or Alternate Delegates and who shall take part in all activities of the Committee or working group but shall have no right of vote on decisions made by the Committee or working group.

6.7               Secretary

              Each sub-committee may appoint a Secretary from among its members.

6.8               Vote

              Each country has only one vote in subcommittee or working group meetings.

              A quorum of a subcommittee or working group shall consist of the Chairman and a majority of other members. Meetings may be 'Virtual' and conducted by email or other electronic means.

6.9               Meetings

              Subcommittees and working groups shall meet once every year prior to the plenary and on such other occasions as decided by the chairman. Meetings may be 'Virtual' and conducted by email or other electronic means.

6.10               Responsibilities

              Sub-committee and working group Chairmen should take care of urgent matters communicated by the CIMA president.

              Sub-committee and working group Chairmen shall prepare a report on their activities for presentation at Plenary meetings.

6.11               Decisions

              All Sub-committee and Working group decisions and recommendations are subject to approval by the CIMA plenary meeting.

              When necessary, CIMA or the Bureau, subcommittees or working groups may appoint technical officers or liaison officers. They will report to the body that appointed them. A Technical officer will be appointed to take care of special tasks or solve special problems. A Liaison officer will be responsible for taking care of CIMA's interest in or towards another organisation or body.

              When CIMA accepts the bid for a Category 1 championship it shall appoint a Championship Monitor to oversee all aspects of organizer progress in the planning stage of the event.

              A championship monitor shall have in-depth experience of organizing championships and shall preferably have also competed in them as well. 

              The championship monitor reports in the first instance to the Bureau but in the event of critical missing elements is authorized to issue mandatory instructions to a championship organizer.

              A championship monitor must remain in constant contact with an organizer and the Bureau during his term of office.

              A championship monitor's term of office ends at the championship opening ceremony.

9.1               CIMA income is derived from such sources as agreed by the Plenary.

9.2               CIMA income is deposited in CHF to the credit of CIMA in an FAI account.

              NB. CIMA is not a separate legal entity.

9.3               The CIMA Treasurer will present CIMA accounts to the annual Plenary Meeting together with a proposed budget for the following year. These accounts and budgets require approval from the Plenary Meeting in order to be adopted.

9.4               Reimbursement of expenses will be made only in accordance with the terms and procedures as laid down by FAI.

9.5               Any proposal concerning a CIMA expenditure item of more than CHF 1000 must be submitted to the Plenary Meeting for approval.

Annex 1
CIMA Subcommittees and Working groups;
their terms of reference

1.1               The Microlight sub committee

              To be completed

1.2               The Paramotor sub committee

              To be completed

1.4               The Flight Recorder Approval sub committee

              The TOR may be found in 1.2 of S10 An 6.

1.5               The sporting code sub committee

1.5.1               Composition

The Sporting Code Subcommittee will be composed of:

-               Chairman, also named Section 10 Editor

-               Unlimited members

1.5.2               Chairman

              The CIMA plenary will annually appoint the chairman of the Sporting Code Subcommittee. The designated chairman will propose members.

1.5.3               Amendments to Sporting code section 10

Only CIMA delegates may submit proposals in time to the sporting code editor. Each proposal will respect the following process with reference of :

1)               The number of the affected paragraph (or where it should go, if it is something new).

2)               The reason for the proposed change.

The Sporting Code section 10 Editor will then assemble this into A DRAFT, along with:

a)               Comments from the S10 Sub-Committee

b)               Comments from any other CIMA delegates wish to make on the proposal.

The deadline for additions to the plenary agenda is the 45 day rule; FAI bylaws 5.6.4)

An extended deadline could be allowed by the CIMA Bureau

All proposals will be re-ordered according to the layout of S10 and subjected to Sub-committee review and a FINAL set of proposals which will be put to the CIMA Plenary meeting.

Each proposal will be submitted in its exact wording and are not subject to be amended during the following CIMA plenary .

Each proposal may be withdrawed at any time before to be considered at the following plenary

S10 Sub committee (4 members/2010) review is as follows:

-               Supported 4/4 means “unanimously supported”

-               Supported 3/4 means one sub-committee member did not support the proposal.

-               Supported 3/3 means one sub-committee member did not have a view, but three did.

-               The same applies for “ Not supported ” in the 3 cases above.

-               Undecided means less than 3 sub committee members were of the same opinion.

1.5.4               Decisions

              All Sporting Code Subcommittee decisions and recommendations are subject to approval by a simple majority at the CIMA plenary meeting.

2.1               The Paramotor precision working group

              To be completed

2.2               The Internal regulations working group

              To be completed

2.3               The internet presence working group

              To be completed

2.4               The ranking system working group

              To be completed