Two world championship teams are headed overseas to represent the US and compete with the top model pilots in the world. AMA wishes the best for both US teams!
The 2026 FAI F1ABP Junior World Championships for Free Flight (FF) Model Aircraft begins July 26 and runs through August 2 in Prilep, North Macedonia.
Team USA consists of 12 competitors, making it the largest Junior team in US history. This year represents the first time in more than a decade that Team USA is fielding a full team.
Team USA is:
FIA: Aarna Appajappa, Johnny Mah-Gersting, John Kim, and Daniel Son
FIB: Auerlius Lin, Adith Alagiri, Reema Bharadwaj, and Johnny Mah-Gersting
FIQ: Kiana Lin, Aarav Alagiri, Leah Park, Meital Zayats
FIP: Emmick Smith, John Kim, and Reema Bharadwaj
The team manager is Sevak Malkhasyan.
The 2026 FAI F3J Worlds for Model Gliders takes place in Lodi, Italy, July 26 through August 1.
Five AMA members make up Team USA, all familiar names to those in the Soaring community. They are:
Dave Bradley Jr.
Gordon Buckland
Jody Miller
John Bradley
Amy Pool
The team manager is Michael Gardner Jr.
For updates, check the links above and look for updates on the results in an upcoming AMA This Week.