Day 2 at the 2025 FAI F1D European Championship for Indoor Model Aircraft
25 November marked the first official competition day of the 2025 FAI F1D European Championship for Indoor Model Aircraft, hosted in Slănic, Romania. Two rounds were successfully completed, delivering an exciting start to the championship with several outstanding performances, including flights exceeding 20 minutes.
Each round lasts for three hours, during which competitors may choose their preferred launch time. As indoor conditions in the salt mine remain constant, with no breeze, pollution or unchanging temperatures, the strategic scheduling of flights is determined by each team manager. To ensure fairness, only one pilot from each team may fly at a time, and every competitor’s flight is monitored by two official timekeepers.
Meticulous preparation
This is a true free-flight class. In F1D, competitors are fully responsible for the setup and configuration of their models, including adjustments to wing and stabilizer angles, propeller size and pitch, and rubber motor type.
Once launched, the pilot has no direct control over their model. However, limited intervention known as “steering” is allowed. At low altitudes, competitors may use a long fishing rod to gently touch and redirect the model. At higher altitudes, a helium-filled balloon with a retractable line may be employed, allowing delicate guidance of the aircraft’s path from the ground.
Competition Schedule
Click the link to view the related news article:
- 24 November: Practice flights, Opening Ceremony, Briefing
- 25 November: Competition rounds 1 and 2
- 26 November: Competition rounds 3 and 4
- 27 November: Competition rounds 5 and 6. Closing Ceremony.
Follow the competition
Images: Antonis Papadopoulos
