With a jet you can compete in aerobatics (the FAI's F3S and the Cisalpino Jet class) or in scale, where what also counts is how faithful the model is to the real aircraft (Jet World Masters, F4C).
F3S
The FAI international category for jet aerobatics, still “provisional”. It is flown with turbines or ducted fans, electric ones included; no rockets or pulse jets.
Cisalpino · Jet
In the Campionato Cisalpino RC, which organises aerobatic contests in Italy, the Jet class is experimental and follows the FAI's F3S (paragraph 17 of the 2026 rules).
Cisalpino 2026 rules, paragraph 17 (PDF) ↗ (opens in a new window)
IJMC · JWM
The world contest for scale replicas of real jets, held every two years and organised by the IJMC. Static judging, meaning how faithful the model is to the original, and flying count half each. The IJMC also runs Turboprop Scale and Basic Scale (demonstration).
F4C · F4H
The FAI radio-controlled scale classes: F4C (RC Scale) and F4H (RC Stand-off Scale). They are open to all aircraft, not just jets: turbines are allowed.
Note: F4H is not a jet class. It is a scale class for any type of power, where a jet can fly too.
FAI press release on the 2026 F4 World Championships (PDF, in English) ↗ (opens in a new window)
What the law says, what clubs, contests and meetings usually require, and whether you need a licence.
At the AER.BI field, the field rules and the board's instructions apply: ask before flying a jet. Read the field rules
Below 25 kg maximum take-off mass (MTOM) you fly in the open category, subcategory A3: up to 120 m altitude, at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas, with no uninvolved people.
Source: EASA ↗ (opens in a new window)
From 25 kg upwards you leave the open category: you need the specific category, or a club or association authorised under Article 16 of EU Regulation 2019/947, which may have different limits (for example above 25 kg or 120 m).
Source: EASA ↗ (opens in a new window)
In Italy, ENAC provides two routes: subcategory A3, or a club or association authorised under Article 16. In an authorised club, operator registration, insurance and the competence check are the club's responsibility.
Sources: ENAC ↗ (opens in a new window), ENAC FAQ ↗ (opens in a new window)
A club's ENAC authorisation (form UAS-AM) has a dedicated entry: “Sites authorised for MTOM of 25 kg or more”. For example, in the CSAIn one the entry is “N/A”, not applicable.
Source: CSAIn ↗ (opens in a new window)
In Switzerland the limit is 30 kg: above it, models fall under aviation law and the documents must always be carried.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
At every start-up, test runs included, a working extinguisher next to the model: CO₂, at least 2 kg according to the FSAM. Not powder, which corrodes the turbine.
Sources: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window), GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window), JetCat ↗ (opens in a new window)
In flight, they watch the sky and the runway for the pilot. In F3S contests, one helper is allowed in flight and two at start-up.
Sources: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window), FAI ↗ (opens in a new window)
Nobody in front of, beside or behind the model while the turbine is running: the exhaust reaches up to 800 °C. The distances are shown in the drawing.
Sources: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window), JetCat ↗ (opens in a new window)
Kerosene or paraffin with about 5% oil, in labelled containers; no smoking within 50 m of the refuelling area.
Sources: GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window), FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
If the signal is lost, the turbine goes to idle (FAI, Cisalpino) or shuts down after a few seconds: within 1–3 s for the GTBA, after 2 s on JetCat ECUs.
Sources: FAI ↗ (opens in a new window), Cisalpino RC ↗ (opens in a new window), GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window), JetCat ↗ (opens in a new window)
The failsafe is tested with the model held still on the bench and the turbine running. Prototypes are tested on the bench, with the engine secured, never in a public place.
Sources: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window), GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window)
In Italy there is currently no mandatory national turbine licence. The Cisalpino, for example, requires no licences beyond those required by law; in authorised clubs, the competence check is up to the club.
Sources: Cisalpino RC ↗ (opens in a new window), ENAC FAQ ↗ (opens in a new window)
Some clubs require their own qualifications. GAV in Siena, for models over 8 kg and turbine models, requires the Aero Club d'Italia certificate and rating, the board's approval and a minimum age of 18.
In the United States, the AMA requires the “turbine waiver”: at least 50 flights with a fast model, buddy-box flights with an experienced pilot and a qualifying flight in front of two experienced pilots. Foreign pilots at AMA contests only need a letter from their country's Aero Club confirming their qualification.
Source: AMA ↗ (opens in a new window)
In Great Britain, the GTBA recommends having at least the BMFA “B” certificate before flying a jet solo.
Source: GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window)
Jet World Masters 2025: Dimitri Meazza finished second in the 20 kg class with the Aermacchi MB-339 PAN and had the best static score of the whole contest (2913 points). Italy is third in the nations ranking.
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
23–30 August 2025, Skien (Norway)
13 pilots ranked
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
23–30 August 2025, Skien (Norway)
6 pilots ranked
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
Team ranking (Nation Trophy)
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
19–26 August 2023, Rivanazzano (PV)
31 pilots ranked
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
19–26 August 2023, Rivanazzano (PV)
11 pilots ranked
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
Team ranking (Nation Trophy)
Source: IJMC ↗ (opens in a new window)
2027
Montalto Dora (TO)
Date to be confirmed
The closest jet meeting to Cossato, in via Fossale, regione Ghiare. The latest edition, the 34th, was on 16–17 May 2026, with around thirty pilots, including Andreas Schär. The 2027 date is not out yet.
16Aug
Bölsdorf (Germany)
16 – 20 August 2027Date to be confirmed
The 16th edition. The IJMC lists the dates as provisional.
2027
Flugplatz Breitscheid (Germany)
Date to be confirmed
The jet and turbine show in Germany, usually around September: the 2027 dates are not set yet.
2026
Cossato (BI)
Date to be confirmed
The Cisalpino has announced a “Boot camp” for 2026 at our Cossato field.
We'll add the dates here as soon as they are out.
Twelve habits of jet pilots, each with its source.
Before every start-up, test runs included: a working CO₂ extinguisher of at least 2 kg.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
If ignition fails, the fuel already pumped in can catch fire on the next attempt, in the thrust tube or under the turbine. The same goes if too much fuel gets in.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
With the turbine running, nobody in front, beside or behind: see the drawing above. And protect your hearing.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
The exhaust pipe must never be pointed at people.
Source: GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window)
Before the first flight: model on the bench, turbine running, switch off the transmitter. The turbine must drop to reduced power.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
A jet gets far away fast: range-check the radio with the model in various positions, ideally with the turbine running too.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
Turbine vibrations are high-frequency and you can barely hear them, but they loosen bolts that aren't properly secured. Check on the bench.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
Always a filter between pump and turbine, and fuel lines tied twice with wire. Replace the pump after 25 flight hours.
Source: JetCat ↗ (opens in a new window)
Kerosene or Jet A1 with 5% synthetic turbine oil. No synthetic 2-stroke oil.
Source: JetCat ↗ (opens in a new window)
To prime the pump, always disconnect the line going to the turbine, so you don't flood it. At the end of the day, empty the tanks.
Source: JetCat ↗ (opens in a new window)
Fuel only in labelled containers, and no smoking within 50 m of the refuelling area.
Source: GTBA ↗ (opens in a new window)
The helper watches the sky and the runway for you. Before the flight, agree when to abort the take-off and where to land if the turbine flames out.
Source: FSAM ↗ (opens in a new window)
