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FAI Free Flight
Competitions 

Sanctioned Free Flight Competitions follow a structured format outlined in the FAI Sporting Code.

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Click here for the current FAI Sporting Code Guide

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Click here for more info about our Training Programs

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NYAA members participate in multiple competitions.  Notable competitions include: ​

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The America's Cup Competition - A yearlong coast-to-coast series of competitions across the US and Canada fostering the development of flyers in North America.

More info: https://www.freeflight.org/americas-cup/​

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AMA National Aeromodeling Championships - A century-long tradition of celebrating aeromodeling. Held annually at the Academy of Model Aeronautics headquarters in Indiana.

​More info: https://nats.modelaircraft.org/

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FAI World Cup Competition - The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) yearlong series of international competitions to hone skills alongside international competitors. FAI is a member of the International Olympic Committee organization and ASRIF.

More info: https://www.fai.org/world-cups/f1-free-flight

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FAI F1 Junior World Championships - Competitors are selected to represent their country at the FAI International World Championship competition.  Occurs every 2 years.  NYAA was founded by and has trained several World Champions.

More info and past team info: Jr Team Qualification

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Rounds (Qualification Flights)

  • Competitions consist of 5 to 7 preliminary rounds, each with a maximum flight time, typically 180 seconds (3 minutes).

  • All competitors must fly within an official working time window of each round (1-hour).

  • The goal is to achieve the maximum flight duration in each round (known as a “max”)

  • Flights are timed from release to landing.

Scoring

  • A maximum (e.g., 180 seconds) earns full points for the round.

  • Any flight shorter than the max is scored based on actual flight time.

  • Scores from all rounds are accumulated, and those with perfect scores (all maxes) proceed to the fly-offs.

Fly-Offs (Tie-Breakers)

  • If more than one competitor achieves full scores (all maxes), Fly-off rounds are held to determine the winner.

  • Fly-off rounds:

  • Use increased max durations (e.g., 5 minutes, 7 minutes, or more).

  • Typically take place in the late afternoon or early morning when air is calmer.

  • The length of the official working time window is lowered to 7 minutes. 

  • The process continues until a winner is determined (may require multiple fly-offs).

Team Competition

  • At World and Continental Championships, nations compete as teams ( 3-4 flyers max per class).

  • Team scores are based on the sum of the top 3 individual scores per nation.

  • Separate FAI medals are awarded for Individual and Team winners.

Safety and Sportsmanship

  • Pilots are expected to follow safety guidelines, respect other competitors, and comply with FAI Sporting Code rules.

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct, dangerous flying, or failure to follow procedures can result in penalties or disqualification.

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