2026-2027 F1T (F1N-150) Online Indoor Postal Contest

What is an online Postal Contest? It is a contest where everyone around the world gets to build a F1T (F1N-150), go fly it, then submit their scores by email to see how their flights compares to other modelers.

What are the rules?  F1T (F1N-150) will be an official event starting January 1st, 2027. I have copied the rules off the FAI website that were passed. A quick summary is that they are the same rules for F1N (Indoor hand launch glider) except max wingspan is 150mm (5.9") and they are catapult launched gliders. See F1T.2 and  F1T.8 below.  

**For the postal, only 1 timekeeper is required not 2 as stated in the FAI rules. This is a for fun contest.
Also note the way the end of a F1T is timed (when the model comes to rest) and how the flight score is rounded.
I highlited in red below. Also note that there are unsuccessful attempts per section F1T.5 which is different than AMA glider events.

F1T (F1N-150)

F1T.1 Definition
    Model aircraft which is flown in an enclosed space and which is not provided with a propulsion device and in which lift is generated by aerodynamic forces acting on surfaces remaining fixed in flight.

F1T.2 Characteristics
    Maximum projected wingspan 150 mm
    Models with variable area (e.g. folding wings) are not permitted. The number of models eligible for entry by each competitor is three.
    The competitor must be the builder of the models entered.
    The model shall carry the FAI ID number of the competitor on the upper surface of the wing.

F1T.3 Number of Flights
    The competitor shall be allowed 9 flights.

F1T.4 Definition of an Official Flight
    a) The duration achieved on the first attempt unless this attempt is unsuccessful under the definition of F1T.5.
    b) The duration achieved on the second attempt. If the second attempt is also unsuccessful under the definition of F1T.5, then a zero time is recorded for the flight.

F1T.5 Definition of an Unsuccessful Attempt
    An attempt is classed as unsuccessful if the model is launched and at least one of the following events occurs: If this happens on the first attempt then the competitor is entitled to a second attempt.
    a) The model collides with a person or an object held by a person (the competitor excluded);
    b) The model collides with another model in flight;
    c) It is apparent to the timekeepers that a part of the model becomes detached during the launch or during the official flight time.

F1T.6 Timing of Flights
    The flights must be timed by two timekeepers with electronic stopwatches with digital readouts. The time recorded is the mean of the times registered by the timekeepers, but reduced to the nearest one tenth of a second below the resulting mean time, unless the difference between the times registered shows evidence of an error in the timing, in which case the organiser should determine, with the Jury, which time should be registered as the official time or what other action should be taken. From F1.2, only F1.2.1 and F1.2.2 apply to class F1T.

The timing of each flight shall commence when the model is launched. Timing will terminate when:
a) The model comes to rest on the floor of the building.
b) The model comes into contact with any part of the building or its contents other than the floor, and translational movement ceases.

F1T.7 Classification
    The total of the three best flights of each competitor shall be taken for the final classification. In the case of a tie, the fourth best flight decides and so on in the case of a further tie.

F1T.8 Catapult Launching
The model is launched by stretching elastic band(s), with one end(s) firmly attached to a rigid launching handle or held by the competitor. The length of the launching handle shall not exceed 150mm, measured along the longest dimension. There is no limit to the length or sizes of the elastic bands.

F1T.9 Ceiling Height Categories
    The following ceiling height categories are recognised for contests and records:
    I- less than 8 metres
    II- between 8 and 15 metres
    III- between 15 and 30 metres
    IV- higher than 30 meters
The height of the ceiling is defined as the vertical distance from the floor to the highest point at which a circle of 15 metres in diameter can be inscribed, below the primary structure of the building.


How do I enter my flight times into the Postal Contest? To enter your flight times, send an email to don@indoorfreeflight.com
Your postal entry must include the following items:
1. Your Name
2. The flight times (best 3 will count for scoring) note: F1T flights are rounded down to the nearest 1/10th of a secdnd. So a flight of 32.99 seconds is scored as 32.9 seconds.
3. Date of your flights
4. Ceiling height of the building you are flying in (e.g. 24ft 5inches) FAI ceiling measurment should be used, that is ceiling height measured at a 50ft diameter circle.
5. Age classification: There will be two age categories, "Junior Class" and "Open Class"
    if the contestant is 15 years old or younger then please note they are in "Junior Class"
    if no age classification is included in the entry then it will be assumed they are in the "Open Class"

You may enter as many times as you like. As your flight time increases, send in your new scores. Fly in a new venue, send in the score. All flights must be submitted by the end of the day on May 31th, 2027

Why are you requiring the ceiling height where I fly?
The ceiling height will have an effect on how long the model can fly. A higher ceiling generally means longer flight time can be achieved. Knowing the ceiling height can help me graph the flight time based on ceiling height to try and come up with an appropriate correction factor. This is a method I used years ago when I use to run online postals.

Winners will be announced the first week of June 2027. 
Latest update to this page: October, 10th, 2026

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