Since the age of nine, Croatia's Marko Damjanović has been quietly working his way to the top in F3K Model Gliding competitions. Through his persistence, dedication, and attitude toward learning from his mistakes, he became Junior World Champion at the 2019 FAI F3K World Championship for Model Gliders in Hungary.
When an eight-year-old Thomas Schütz built his first aircraft alongside his father, little did he realise that the scene would be reproduced decades into the future, as he stepped into the father's role to help his own children to construct their first models.
Two 10-year-olds have been announced as winners of the 2023 Rookie Project, in the indoor and outdoor flight categories. The international online contest pits under 16s against one another as they aim to achieve the longest flight time with model aircraft which fit the competition rules.
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.
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.
The two Gallet brothers from France each became champion in their category at the recent 2023 FAI F5J World Championships for Electric Powered Thermal Duration Gliders in Bulgaria: Adrien, aged 20, in the seniors, and his 12 year old brother Romain in the juniors.
Swiss aeromodeller Andreas Lüthi took a gold medal at the 2022 FAI F4 World Championships For Scale Model Aircraft in Norway with his Bücker Jungmann 1.131E in the F4C category. In this interview he reveals his journey in aeromodelling and shares his thoughts on attracting the next generation to the sport.
