Day 1 at the 2025 FAI F1D European Championships for Indoor Model Aircraft
The 2025 FAI F1D European Championships for Indoor Model Aircraft officially commenced today, with expert pilots competing for the coveted European Champion title deep inside the stunning Slănic Salt Mine in Romania from 24 to 27 November.
While most FAI air sports events gaze skyward, this competition takes place way below the earth's surface in a former salt mine, whose vast chambers enjoy a unpolluted and stable atmosphere in which these ultra-delicate indoor model aircraft can make astonishingly long duration flights, thanks to the constant temperature conditions and complete absence of wind.
The event is proudly organised by the Romanian Aeromodelling Federation, continuing its tradition of supporting and promoting aeromodelling excellence both nationally and internationally.
Each participant builds their own model aircraft including the propeller. Both the wings and propeller are covered with an ultra-thin film measuring less than 10 microns, adding to the challenge and precision required. Building and flying such ultra-light models requires exceptional craftsmanship and skill. As each aircraft is lightly released from the pilot's gentle grip, it takes flight soundlessly and is slowly propelled in the pure air against a backdrop of these naturally beautiful cavern walls.
F1D Indoor Model Aircraft are built with balsa wood and micro-film with a minimum weight of 1.2g for the airframe, with a rubber motor weighing under a gram.
Schedule
- 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.
FIRST Day Highlights
Day one saw the competitors arrive in the 66m high cavern to set up their equipment and make practice flights, essential for fine-tuning these elegant featherlight aircraft in advance of the competition rounds.
At 15:30 the teams all participated in the official Opening Ceremony, with the officials declaring the European Championships open. Following the parade, the competitors headed back up to ground level and to the briefing meeting.
Day 1 concluded, the serious business of the championship begins on Tuesday 25 November. The competition will consist of six official rounds over the coming days, with the two longest flight times determining each competitor’s final ranking.
Follow the competition
FAI will cover the competition with updates on the FAI website and social media channels.
Images: Antonis Papadopoulos
