Dominique Méreuze Prize 2019

What is the 2019 Dominique Méreuze Prize?

The Dominique Méreuze prize is a competition initiated by the FFPLUM young pilots committee and set up in collaboration with the DGAC, represented by Evelyne Gogneau and Yvette Méreuze (Dominique Méreuze’s wife). This third edition is reserved for young members and aims to reward work produced by young people in the microlight world, promote microlighting to other young people and honour the memory of Dominique Méreuze (a notable figure in the microlight world and former president of FFPLUM). A jury will select the most original entries that best fit the chosen theme.

Who was Dominique Méreuze?

Dominique gained his hang-glider certificate in 1981 and continued to fly that discipline until 1996. He took part in the French Championships in 1989 and 1996, among others. At the end of the 1980s, Dominique Méreuze gained his aeroplane pilot certificate, his parachute-drop pilot certificate, then his microlight pilot certificate for weight-shift, three-axis and gyroplane. He served as an instructor in the weight-shift and three-axis classes. In 1990 he created the Ardennes ULM club and 6 years later, with a group of friends, he created the “Air Passion” association and the Tour ULM, to which he gave its present form. He remained in charge of it until his death on 11 June 2015.

In 1998, he was elected President of FFPLUM. With membership down to 4 500, he contributed greatly to the development of the microlight movement in France, a movement that had more than 16 000 members in 2015. In 2003, he took part in creating the EMF (European Microlight Federation), of which he was President until 2015, and became Vice-President of EAS. He was also Delegate General of the CNFAS (National Confederation of Aeronautical and Sports Federations), and created the UFEGA with Air Courtage as broker. Finally, Dominique Méreuze was a holder of the Aeronautical Medal, Knight and Officer of the Legion of Honour.

Special prize for young members

The theme for the 2019 Dominique Méreuze prize is: “A memorable flight”.

Description of the theme

Using the medium of your choice, you must tell us about a flight that left its mark on you. This flight could be, for example, your first microlight flight, your first solo, or a flight that has stayed etched in your memory. You can also choose to imagine this flight and make your entry a work of fiction. Don’t hesitate to describe the emotions you felt before and after the flight and what it gave you. The medium: you are free to choose the medium in which you feel most comfortable.

This medium can be a video, a poem, a short story, an article, a comic strip, a news report, etc. Don’t hesitate to be original and imaginative!

The prizes

First prize: A cheque worth €500

Second prize: A pair of Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses worth €140

Third prize: A flight bag worth €50

A jury under the responsibility of Yvette Méreuze and the Federation will select the winners. The prizes will be presented at the FFPLUM General Assembly of 2020. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the federation. The winners’ entries will be shared as widely as possible by the federation.

The conditions

Be under 18 years old on 6 December 2019 (deadline for submitting entries) - Be an FFPLUM member. - You must send your entry to “prixdominiquemereuze2019@gmail.com”

Deadline: 6 December 2019. - Answer the questionnaire that will be sent to you once you have submitted your entry: https://forms.gle/b3AbrCESGMvEr2M6A