FAI Model Classes

The following summaries were made by Raymond Pike (stingray@c031.aone.net.au), using the FAI sporting code section 4a for aeromodels as a reference. Updates by Pedro Quaresma.

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FAI F1 - Free Flight Model Classes
Class CodeGeneral typeBrief Description
Class F1Free FlightNo physical connection what so ever between the model and the competitor.
F1AGliders
A2 models
Gliders with the following characteristics:
Surface area:			32 - 34 dm2
Minimum weight:			410 grammes
Maximum loading:		50 g/dm2
Max length of launching cable:	50 m
F1BRubber Powered
Wakefield models
Rubber powered models with the following characteristics:
Surface area:			17 - 19 dm2
Minimum weight:			190 grammes
Maximum loading:		50 g/dm2
Max mass of the motor:		40 g
F1C Power Models
Powered models with the following characteristics:
Maximum swept volume of motor(s):	2.5 cm3
Minimum total weight:			300 g/cm3 
Minmum loading				20 g/dm2
Maximum loading:			50 g/dm2
Maximum motor run:			7 seconds
F1D Indoor Models
Rubber powered models flown indoors with the 
following characteristics:
Maximum Span:		650 mm
Minimum mass:		1 gram
Ceiling heights are as follows:
Category I:		less than 8 metres
Category II:		between 8 and 15 metres
Category III:		between 15 and 30 metres
Category IV:		higher than 30 metres
F1E Slope Soaring Gliders
Models with automatic steering that have
the following ccharacteristics:
Maximum surface area:		150 dm2
Maximum loading:		100 g/dm2
Maximum flying mass:		5 kg
F1F Helicopter models Models where their primary lift is generated by rotating aerodynamic surfaces.
F1G Rubber Powered Coupe D'Hiver models
F1H Gliders A1 class gliders
F1J Power Models 1/2A class power models

FAI F2 - Control Line Model Classes
F2 Control Line Circular Flight The model is aerodynamically manoeuvred by control
surfaces in attitude and altitude by the pilot on the
ground by means of one or more wires
F2A Speed Models
Characteristics:
Motor swept volume:	2.5 cm3
Minimum total area:	2 dm2/cm3 of motor volume
Maximum loading:	100 g/dm2
F2B Aerobatic Models
Characteristics: 
Maximum flying mass:		5 kg
Maximum surface area:		150 dm2
Maximum loading:		100 g/dm2
Maximum swept volume of motor:	10 cm3
Motors must have effective silencers.
Models must take off the ground.
A schedule of 16 manoeuvres is flown.
F2C Team Race
Characteristics:
Maximum swept volume of motor:		2.5 cm3
Minimum total projected surface area:	12 dm2
Maximum mass:				700 g
Minimum dimensions of fuselage at pilot:
h: 100 mm, w: 50 mm, cross sect area:	39
Model must carry a scale pilot
Minimum diameter of wheels:		25 mm
Maximum fuel permitted:			7 cm3
Motor must be fully enclosed
A cockpit with transparent windshield must be provided
The motor must be able to be stopped in flight
F2D Combat Models
Characteristics:
Maximum surface area:		150 dm2
Maximum mass:			5 kg
Maximum loading:		100 g/dm2
Maximum swept volume of motor:	2.5 cm3
Maximum motor venture diameter:	4.0 mm


FAI F3 - Radio Control Model Classes
F3 Radio Controlled Models The model is aerodynamically manoeuvred by control surfaces in attitude, direction and altitude by the pilot on the ground using radio control
F3A Aerobatic Models
Characteristics (1997)
Maximum overall span                    2 m
Maximum overall length			2 m
Maximum total mass (without fuel):	5 kg
Power source limitations:               Any suitable power source may be utilised except 
                                        those requiring solid propellants, gaseous or liquified 
                                        gaseous fuels.  Electric powered models are limited to 
                                        a maximum of 42 volts for the propulsion circuit.
F3B Thermal Soaring Gliders
Characteristics:
Maximum surface area:			150 dm2
Maximum total mass:			5 kg
Surface Area loading:	between 12 and 75 g/dm2
Minimum radius of fuselage nose:	7.5 mm
Three tasks are flown in each round. The tasks are:
a) Duration - a 7 minute flight and spot landing.
b) Distance - as many laps of the 150 m course as is possible in 4 minutes.
c) Speed - four laps of the 150 m course as fast as possible.

Launching is by: hand towing, electrical powered winch or hand operated pulleys. The total length of the winch line is 200 m. The length of the hand tows is 175 m.

F3C Helicopters A heavier than air aeromodel which derives all its lift and horizontal propulsion from a power driven rotor system.
Characteristics:
Maximum swept area of the rotors: 300 dm2
Maximum mass: 6 kg without fuel
Maximum motor displacement: 10 cm3
A total of nine manoeuvres are flown and judged out of a possible 10 points each.
F3D Pylon Racers Characteristics:
The model must be a replica of a particular aircraft used in full scale closed course air racing.
Maximum swept volume of the motor(s):	6.6 cm3
Minimum wingspan:			750 mm
Minimum wing thickness at wing root:	22mm
Minimum flying mass:			2.2 kg
Maximum flying mass:			3.0 kg
Fuel supplied by the organizers: 80% methanol, 20% caster oil
Flying course is triangular with height of 180 m and base of 40 m. A total of 10 laps are flown.
F3E Electric Powered Renamed to the F5 category
F3F Slope Soaring Gliders
Provisional rules:
Maximum surface area:			150 dm2
Maximum total mass:			5 kg
Surface Area loading:	between 12 and 75 g/dm2
Minimum radius of fuselage nose:	7.5 mm
Flying task is to fly 10 laps of a 100 mmetre course laid along the edge of the slope
F3G Powered Gliders
 
F3H R/C Soaring Cross Country Racing Provisional rules:
Maximum surface area:			150 dm2
Maximum total mass:			5 kg
Surface Area loading:	between 12 and 75 g/dm2
Launching shall be by electric powered winch Maximum line length 600m with turnaround 300 metres from winch. Object is to fly the course non-stop with one model. Fastest time wins. Any pilot of the team may fly the model. If all flights are less than the course length then the longest flight wins. In the case of ties, the shortest time wins.
F3J Thermal Duration Gliders
Maximum surface area:			150 dm2
Maximum total mass:			5 kg
Surface Area loading:	between 12 and 75 g/dm2
Minimum radius of fuselage nose:	7.5 mm
Launching method:	150 metre hand tow-line only
Flying is done in groups
Group working time:	10 minutes
Scoring: 1 point/sec flight time, 30 points deducted for overflyig group time by up to 1 minute score is zero if group time is over flown by more than 1 minute. 100 points is awarded for landing within 1 metre of the spot, 5 points is lost for each additional metre from the spot, 0 landing points for landings greater than 15 m from spot.


FAI F4 - Scale Model Classes
F4 Scale Models A replica [minature copy] of a heavier than air man carrying aircraft
F4A Free Flight Scale Free Flight models
F4B Control Line Scale Control line models
F4C Radio Control Scale Radio control models
F4D Indoor - Free Flight Rubber engine
F4E Indoor - Free Flight CO2 engine
F4F Indoor - Free Flight (Peanut formula)


FAI F5 - Radio Controlled Electric Powered Model Classes
F5 Electric Models Characteristics: Models that are powered by an electric motor(s).
Maximum surface area: 150 dm2
Maximum total mass: 5 kg
Surface area loading: between 12 and 75 g/dm2
The power source must consist of only Nicad cells, a maximum of 30 cells may be used, the voltage must not exceed 42 volts.
F5A Aerobatic A total of 16 aerobatic manoeuvres are flown and judged out of 10.
No World Championships have been flown in this class.
F5B Glider Two tasks are flown. The first task is to complete the maximum laps of a 150 metre course in 3 minutes whilst gliding. In this task the motor is used after each set of (say) 4 or 6 laps. The second task is to complete a 5 minute duration flight with as little motor run as possible. This task is completed with a spot landing.
World Championships have been flown in 1986 (Belgium), 1988 (USA), 1990 (Austria), 1992 (Holland)and 1994 (Australia).
F5C Helicopter There are no contest rules for this category as yet. No World Championships have been flown in this class.
F5D Pylon Race A maximum of 7 Nicad cells may be used.
Maximum flying weight: 1.25 kg
10 laps of a 400 m triangular course are flown, as in F3D.
One World Championship, in 1994 at Wangaratta, has been flown in this class. These rules are likely to change in the near future.