Michel Abadie has been around WBO since the early days of the 1990s, taking part in the 3rd International Bamboo Congress held in Minamata, Japan in 1992. Michel worked as a journalist with Lagardere and lives in Paris, France. As a member of the Honorary Council, he was elected WBO President for the term 2011-2013. After traveling to Damyang-gun Korea in November of 2012 to coordinate the 10th WBC operating agreement with Governor Choi, Michel became re-energized. That new energy translates to now a second term as WBO President, 2013-2015.
Bamboo poles, whole or split, were adopted early by aviation pioneers; as bamboo was strong and lightweight, it was easy to manage with hand tools. In the mid-1990′s, with a curious mind, an interest in engineering and an artful eye, Michel selected bamboo as the material of choice in the contemporary design of a lightweight airplane. Flyboo™ is a series of ultra light aircraft models made entirely of bamboo. In essence, Michel’s Flyboo™ project symbolizes a campaign to promote the contemporary use of bamboo in innovative ways; to enhance the idea of bamboo as a strong, light and renewable material for the future. It is also an acknowledgement of bamboo as a plant that has facilitated the flying of humanity, the ultimate in symbol and potential.
