As the excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympics kicks off and the world celebrates top-level competition, model aviation is gearing up for its own moment in the spotlight. Starting in May, the US will send teams of skilled pilots to compete around the world in Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Championships.
The journey begins at Whiteman Park in Perth, Western Australia, with the F2 World Championships for Control Line Model Aircraft on May 3-8.
Next stop is the F1D World Championships for Indoor Model Aircraft at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho, on June 15-20.
On July 10-18, pilots journey across the pond to Buckminster, United Kingdom, at the British Model Flying Association (BMFA)’s National Visitor Centre and Model Flying site for the F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft.
The journey continues in Graffignana, Italy, approximately 30 minutes southeast of Milan, for the F3J World Championships for Model Gliders on July 26 through August 1.
The F1ABPQ Junior World Championships for Free Flight Model Aircraft also begin on July 26. The contest will go through August 2 in Prilep, North Macedonia.
Finally, pilots travel to Suances, Spain, on August 23-30 for the F3F World Championship for Model Gliders.
Altogether, the 2026 international competition season promises an exciting run of world-class competition for our US teams. As pilots travel to various countries, AMA looks forward to the showcase of skills while sharing in the global camaraderie that makes model aviation so special to so many.