FAI "F" Classes for Model Aircraft

The FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) is the universally recognised governing body for air sports with the CIAM (Commission International d'Aeromodelisme) as a subsidiary that looks after model aircraft.

Over the years competition events to suit all types model aircraft have evolved, with the premier event from each discipline given an "F" classification and the chance to hold World Championship events.

What follows is a quick reference to these "F" classes taken, with thanks, from the FAI web pages.

F1 - Free Flight Competitions

F1A (Gliders)
F1B (Model Aircraft with Extensible Motors "Wakefield")
F1C (Power Model Aircraft)
F1D (Indoor Model Aircraft)
F1E (Gliders with Automatic Steering)

F2 - Control Line Circular Flight Competitions

F2A (Speed Model Aircraft)
F2B (Aerobatic Model Aircraft)
F2C (Team Racing Model Aircraft)
F2D (Combat Model Aircraft)

F3 - Radio Controlled Flight Competitions

F3A (Aerobatic Power Model Aircraft)
F3B (Multi Task Thermal Soaring Gliders)
F3C (RC Helicopters)
F3D (Pylon Racers)
F3F (Slope Soaring Gliders) P
F3H (Soaring Cross Country Racing) P
F3I (Aero-Tow Soaring Models) P
F3J (Thermal Duration Gliders)
F3K (Hand Launched R/C Gliders) P

P is a provisional class.

F4 - Scale Model Competitions

F4B (Control Line Flying Scale Model Aircraft)
F4C (Radio Controlled Flying Scale Model Aircraft)

F5 - Radio Controlled Electric Powered Flight Competitions

F5A (Aerobatics)
F5B (Motor Gliders)
F5C (RC Helicopters) P
F5D (Pylon Racers)
F5E (Solar) P
F5F (Motor Gliders - 10 cell) P
F5G (Big Gliders) P
F5J (Glider - F3J but launched with electric power) P

The F classes in red have the "RC-Soaring Subcommittee" looking after them. With thanks to Tomas Bartovsky and Antonis Papadopoulos for the following description of those classes.

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