FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM)

‍Jim Richmond, a true legend in the world of aeromodelling, sadly passed away on 15 December 2023 at the age of 96, leaving a remarkable legacy that spans over nine decades. He was a genuine CIAM Legend.

Born on 22 November 1927, Jim's passion for aviation ignited at the tender age of five. From there, he embarked on a journey that would see him create groundbreaking innovations, win numerous competitions, receive prestigious awards, and inspire new generations of pilots.

These days, commercially available, fully or partially completed model aircraft are manufactured mainly from foamed plastics or various other plastics. Some manufacturers still supply models built from balsa and other types of wood and attractively covered with colourful films.

34-year-old Hiroki Ito is well-known in the Remote Control Helicopter world for his intense focus and skill. Since 2005, this Japanese pilot, who lives in Shizuoka Prefecture, has clocked up seven world champion titles in the aeromodelling class of F3C aerobatic helicopters. In 2023 he was awarded a CIAM Legends medal for his outstanding achievements. This medal recognises world champions who have won the title at least three times.

By Barrie Lever, CIAM F3 Pylon Racing Chairman

The exciting World of RC Pylon Racing visited Doha (Qatar) between the 22nd and 25th November for the 2023 Qatar International Pylon Race Meet.

The Qatar RC Sport Centre were the hosts for this prestigious event, all four CIAM RC pylon racing classes (F3D, F3E, F3T and F3R) were flown at the meeting. Competitors came from around the World to experience for the first time this inaugural RC pylon race meet in the Middle East.

On Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December the CIAM Bureau meeting was held in Lausanne, Switzerland. This was the first face-to-face gathering since 2019, as previous meetings had been conducted via Zoom due to Covid-19 restrictions. It highlighted the undeniable benefit of personal interaction compared to previous virtual meetings. While Zoom allowed for important discussions to continue to take place, the absence of personal interaction was keenly felt.

At the recent 2023 FAI World Drone Racing Championship in Namwon, Korea, the world’s best pilots captivated the audiences with their adrenaline-fuelled style of flying and incredible skills. While the natural focus is on the competitors and the action, there is a group of people who play a crucial role behind the scenes: the judges. These dedicated people are essential to ensure fair competition by upholding the rules and evaluating the pilots’ performances.

In the fast-paced FAI Control Line Combat category, the two agile pilots inside a circular boundary weave around one another to keep their aircraft aloft and score points against their opponent. Quick-witted attack and defence tactics are deployed as the planes twist and turn in the sky. The pilots wear helmets for protection and the audience watches in safety from behind a high barrier.