What is FAI

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