Romania emerges victorious at 2025 FAI F1D European Championships for Indoor Model Aircraft
After an intense contest held deep within the unique atmosphere of the Slănic Prahova underground salt mine, the Romanian home team triumphed at the FAI F1D European Championships for Indoor Model Aircraft which was held from 24-27 November 2025.
Romania took the European Team Champion title ahead of Great Britain and Lithuania, their competitors Horatiu Somesan claiming gold and Corneliu Mangalea clinching silver ahead of Great Britain’s Mark Benns who took bronze.
Warmly welcomed by their hosts, the Romanian Modelling Federation, participants representing eight nations braved the cool temperatures and calm, unpolluted atmosphere of the salt mine to showcase exceptional technical skill performing long-duration flights with their feather-light aircraft.
President of the FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM), Antonis Papadopoulos, who attended the event, stated:
“Many congratulations to all the competitors for their dedication; this was an immensely challenging event with an impressive level of expertise shown. These long duration flights may be gentle and elegant to watch, but behind the scenes there is tough preparation, extreme focus and incredible skill. Thanks to the Romanian Modelling Federation for their continued support of this fascinating and technical class.”
Results
Teams:
Romania
Great Britain
Lithuania
Overall winners:
Horatiu SOMESAN (ROU)
Corneliu MANGALEA (ROU)
Mark BENNS (GBR)
About F1D Indoor Model Aircraft
The aim of each competitor is to make long-duration flights with their handmade aircraft weighing just a few grams (minimum 1.2g airframe). This technically demanding free flight class of FAI aeromodelling requires meticulous calculation, a gentle touch and plenty of patience. This is pure free flight in one of the two lightest FAI aeromodelling classes.
Pilots build and fine-tune their aircraft with precision, modifying wing and stabiliser angles, propeller size and pitch, and rubber motor type and torque, to maintain flights of over 20 minutes in indoor environments.
Once aloft, limited intervention – “steering” – is permitted: competitors may use a long rod or helium balloon with retractable line to gently touch and redirect the model in flight.
The aircraft are so delicate that pilots must not exceed their aircraft’s top flying speed when carrying them, in case of damage.
Images: Antonis Papadopoulos
