SAFA Skysailor Magazine

5 September | October 2023 SKY SAILOR of the glider. Around the world, the number of Dickenson hang gliders went from a few dozen in 1969, to tens of thousands in just six years, when hang gliding became part of FAI in the Commission Internationale de Vol Libre (CIVL). Not many aircraft in history can make such claims of success, nor was any other hang glider design before or since ever likely to produce the huge numbers of participants and the viral spread worldwide that accounts for the existence of our sport. In 2012, John received the FAI Air Gold Medal to honour his contribution to our sport. An interview on the occasion can be found on the FAI website . John leaves behind his son Mark and daughter Helen, and his brother Eric and sister Wendy. Along with his many friends from around the world who worked hard on his behalf to achieve his recognition. Like invisible fingers tugging your soul into the sky with heart and mind both racing your wing begins to rise the sky has clouds that beckon find the lift and head for heaven be the master of your sky flying through the rainbow chasing clouds across the sky they’re always fun to play in when you can truly fly hear a call and turn your head to look an eagle in the eye high up above the mountains see each ruffle of its feathers we’re siblings in the heavens how awesome is this kite just hook onto your set of wings and run off the mountainside going up in circling spirals loop the loop or fly a distance this is the ecstasy of flight and as you rise at one with nature as mankind has long desired don't forget to thank John Dickenson for the wing that gets you high. Graeme Henderson, 2023 The Key To The Kingdom Photos: Courtesy FAI CIVL website Evan Akland / Ken de Russy Collection John Dickenson and Barry Palmer with Ken de Russy at a Hang Gliding Museum Special Event in 2011 Photo: Evan Ackland