FAI – World Air Sports Federation, is the world governing body for all air sports. It was founded in 1905, and is headquartered in Switzerland. FAI is a federation of national federations and Canada is federated through Aeroclub of Canada.
FAI – World Air Sports Federation, is the world governing body for all air sports. It was founded in 1905, and is headquartered in Switzerland. FAI is a federation of national federations and Canada is federated through Aeroclub of Canada.

They maintain world records for all aeronautical activities. They also sanction international, national and regional competitions. Their sporting code provides the same rules for all competitors across the globe.

FAI divides aviation activities into 25 following classes:

• Class A Free Balloons
• Class B Airships
• Class C Aeroplanes
• Class CS Solar-Powered Aeroplanes
• Class D Gliders & Motorgliders
• Class E Rotorcraft
• Class F Model Aircraft
  
  • Class F1 – Free flight
  • Class F2 – Control line
  • Class F3 – Radio control
    
    • F3K – Discus Launch Glider
    • F3F – Slope Soaring
  • Class F4 – Scale model aircraft
  • Class F5 – Electrically powered model aircraft
  • Class F8 – Autonomous flight (created by CIAM in 2006, later retired)
• Class G Parachuting
• Class H Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Aeroplanes
• Class I Manpowered aircraft
• Class K Spacecraft
• Class M Tilt-Wing/Tilt Engine Aircraft
• Class N Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) Aeroplanes
• Class O Hang Gliding & Paragliding
• Class P Aerospace Craft
• Class R Microlights and Paramotors
• Class S Space Models (Model rockets)
• Class U Unmanned aerial vehicle

National records

Canadian world records are searchable on the FAI website at https://www.fai.org/records/
Links for other types of air sports are provided on that page. Those seeking information about Canadian records should consult UPAC before record attempts.

Current Canadian records that are still standing:

– 2009 – Doron Dekel (CAN) – RPL1T class (Paramotor trike) – Speed over a closed circuit of 50 km – https://fai.org/record/15538

FAI sporting licence

A sporting licence from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale / World Air Sports Federation (FAI) is required if you enter competitions in Canada in which you or your team may be setting a national or world record. This licence is required in order for any of these records to be recognized by the international federation.
To obtain a FAI sporting license you need to be UPAC’s member in good standing, apply and pay AeroClub of Canada fees.

Sport and National Records

The Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada (UPAC) is a member of the Aero Club of Canada since 2019.

Aeroclub Canada mission is to support Canadian sport aviation associations. They encourage the exchange of ideas among its members and assist in the identification and resolution of common issues, especially as related to safety, regulation and technological advancements.

Aeroclub Canada is also the point of contact in Canada for, and a Member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The authority for the issuance of FAI sporting licenses required for international competition or record setting by Canadian pilots and aerospace participants.

• Aerobatics Canada
• Canadian Balloon Association
• Canadian Sport Parachuting Association
• Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada
• Model Aeronautics Association of Canada
• Soaring Association of Canada
• Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada

UPAC is the national voice for all Ultralight Pilots. We are also committed to providing support to our members in all kinds of activities Ultralight Pilots engage in.
In recent years a rapid growth of interest around powered paragliding (which is in the Ultralight category in Canada) resulted in a growing group of new pilots interested in participating in various gatherings around the world.

The Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada is a member of the Aeroclub of Canada which means international recognition for our structure and ability to tap into the experience of microlight associations from over 190 countries.

It also provides an opportunity for UPAC members to represent Canada on the international scene during competitions and meets that are sanctioned by the World Air Sports Federation.

UPAC’s 2023 membership to the Aero Club of Canada was sponsored by the following businesses and their contributions: