The International Aeronautic Federation opened its 57th Congress at the Weizmann Institute here with an address by Israel’s Transport Minister Israel Bar-Yehuda, who returned from an official visit to the Scandinavian countries.
During ceremonies opening the Congress, in which 43 aeronautical clubs throughout the world are participating, the Federation’s Gold Space Medal was awarded in absentia to Valentine Tershkowa, the Soviet a stronaut who last year became the first woman to go into orbit in space. The medal was received on her behalf by V. K. Kekkinski, the head of the Soviet delegation, who also received the Federation’s Tissandier certificate on behalf of the Russian parachutist, Ventina Silverstova.
France was also honored when a Gold Medal was awarded, also in absentia, to Mmr. Jacqueline Auriol for her “entire aeronautical career beginning in 1948.” Vice Admiral R.B. Pirie, of the United States Navy, was among the recipients of the Tissandier award as was Rina Levinson, an Israeli pilot who has been flying gliders since she was 14 years old and who now operates an air taxi service in Israel.
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