Two world firsts at 2025 FAI F3K World Championships for Model Gliders
Lausanne, Switzerland, 14 July 2025 – The upcoming 2025 FAI F3K World Championships for Model Gliders, taking place from 26 July to 2 August in Tarp, Germany, will feature the first-ever Female Individual World Champion title in the history of the F3K class. This not only marks a milestone in gender recognition but is also the first time Germany has hosted this class of aeromodelling at world championship level.
A total of 76 seniors and 30 juniors from 28 countries will compete in this popular radio- control soaring class, which, due to the hand launch technique – similar to athletics discus throwing – requires a mastery of technique and physical fitness.
Of these totals, six females from five national teams will participate in the senior category, meeting the required number for a Female Individual World Champion title to be awarded for the first time in this class. Three females will compete in the junior category, a promising sign for future growth.
FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM) President, Antonis Papadopoulos, who will attend the event, declared, “I would like to welcome all the participants to this exciting world championships. It will be a very challenging competition with preliminary and final rounds taking place during the week. We are delighted that this class is attracting a lot of young competitors and – for the first time – a female individual world champion title can be awarded. I would like to wish to all competitors safe trip and the best of luck!”
About F3K - Radio-Controlled Hand Launch Gliders
F3K aircraft are relatively small with a max wingspan of 1.5m, and there are several flights in each round with short durations and fast relaunches giving plenty of interest to spectators. The pilots must analyse and make use of the thermal activity close to the ground to maximise their points during the competition tasks set from the 14 possible options in the official F3K list. As well as technical training to fly their gliders, pilots must stay physically fit and agile to launch their aircraft effectively.
Event schedule
26 July: Opening Ceremony
27 July – 1 August: Preliminary rounds
2 August: Fly offs and Closing Ceremony