As most Café readers know, Linwood ‘Steve’ Stevenson of Knoxville, Tennessee, set U.S. national standard and 15 meter class records on May 12th by flying his Discus 2 over a 3TP 1250 km course (click here to view the OLC claim). Today, Steve received the following message from Rollin Hasness, the SSA’s FAI Badge and Record Administrator.

“I have processed the application for [your] 1250 km [FAI] Diploma Claim [based] on your May 12, 2013 flight. I am happy to notify you that your claim has been approved and your records have been updated. I issued 1250k Diploma #1, our first issue of this badge. Congratulations on your achievements.

“The Award will be coming separately from the SSA office in the near future. You should see your flight listed in the July issue of Soaring Magazine. You will also find that the flight will be included in your member achievement record. “

Although Steve is not the first U.S. pilot to fly over 1250 km, he is evidently the first U.S. pilot—of 16 worldwide—to apply for and receive the FAI diploma celebrating this achievement.