F1A1

F1A1 is a designation that appears in the context of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) model aircraft competition framework. It is associated with the F1A family, which governs rubber-powered free-flight airplanes. The exact interpretation of “F1A1” has varied, and it is not a universally defined official class in contemporary FAI rulebooks. In some sources, F1A1 is used as an informal or regional label for a sub-class within F1A—often indicating a historical variant, a lighter-weight option, or an indoor version—while other materials treat it as a misprint or obsolete terminology. Because of this lack of standardization, the practical meaning of F1A1 can differ between competitions and eras.

Design and rules for F1A (the broader category) typically specify constraints on propulsion, airframe construction, weight, wing area, and flying duration, with the objective of precise, long-duration free flights. If encountered, F1A1 will generally operate under the same governing principles as F1A, subject to any event-specific amendments by organizers or regional associations.

In practice, F1A1 is infrequently used in current official documentation and most modern competitions rely on the primary F1A designation. Historians and practitioners may encounter F1A1 in archival records, vintage plans, or niche catalogs.

See also: Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, F1A, Free flight model aircraft, Rubber-powered aircraft.