FAI Free Flight World Cup 2026

1. Walt Ghio USA

2. Todd Reynolds USA

3. Per Findahl SWE

Advance information

Listed on the SCAT web page and Facebook (FreeFlight group)

Schedule of competition

5 rounds followed by flyoffs

Duration of rounds

1 hr

Breaks between rounds

No breaks

Maximum durations in each round

Round 1 and 2- 240 seconds, rounds 3-5 - 180 seconds. Flyoff #1 was 600 seconds. Flyoff #2 was 660 seconds with an altimeter (if required)

Interruptions and delays

No interruptions or delays

Weather and visibility

Excellent weather conditions for February. 1 to 3 m/s wind and temperature of approx 18C max. Flyoff weather was excellent with 1-3 m/s wind and excellent visibility. F1A second flyoff was held in the morning with very light 1-2 m/s wind and excellent visibility. 6C in the morning

Flight line - changes of position

The flight line location was located North West from the camping area to allow max utilisation of the available space.

Number of starting poles

Each competitor selected a location on the flight line and flew the contest from this position. No poles were used. Markers identified the area in which each event was constrained.

Number of competitors per pole

No poles were used

Local rules or deviations from Sporting Code

Deviations from the Sporting Code were: the lack of starting poles. 5 rounds were used rather than 7 (see above). Flyoff #1 was 10 minute max for F1A,B and C & Q followed by Flyoff #2 (F1A only), an 11 minute maximum (with altimeter if required) Feb 15th morning. A team competition was provided for each event
Scores were recorded on paper scorecards but also a semi automatic electronic scoring was utilized using the Mini Neurone altimeter and the About Time Web site - https://abouttime.flyingneurons.io/event

Observations on timekeeping

No issues with timekeeping - except see protests

Prize-giving and issue of results - confirm organisers provide results with full names, nationalities and number of juniors

On field results posted on Television screen scoreboard. Full results provided. Electronic results published on SCAT electronic web page and on Facebook Free Flight Group and on About Time Website
https://abouttime.flyingneurons.io/event

Any incident or accident

No incident or accidents

Protests

The final F1A result was questioned as the winner did not show their altimeter result. Accordingly, the time keeper’s recorded flight time was used as the official score. The morning flyoff was an 11 minute max (with altitude if required). All contestants were asked if they had an altimeter before the start of the flyoff and all answered in the affirmative.