About the Federation
The International Aerial Combat Sport Federation is established as the supreme international governing authority for all forms of aerial combat sport conducted globally.
Purpose
The Federation is founded on the conviction that aerial combat sport, pursued responsibly and under rigorous governance, is a unique confluence of aviation excellence, competitive athleticism, strategic acumen and technological innovation. Under Article I of the Bylaws the IACSF exists to:
- Organize, regulate, promote and govern competitive aerial combat events at the international level.
- Establish uniform standards of competition, safety, technical compliance and professional conduct.
- Sanction, oversee and adjudicate international championships, founding league competitions and affiliated events.
- Certify, train and maintain standards for judges, technical officials, safety officers and all competition personnel.
- License and certify pilots, operators, teams and equipment operating under IACSF authority.
- Protect the health, safety and welfare of all participants, officials and spectators.
- Control and regulate all IACSF intellectual property, media, sponsorship and licensing rights.
- Uphold fair play, sportsmanship and competitive integrity.
- Operate as a commercially sustainable organization that grows global recognition of the sport.
Authority
The Bylaws are binding on all Member Teams, Affiliated Leagues, owners, officers, directors, managers, employees, contractors, participants, officials and volunteers. Acting through the Board of Directors and the Commissioner, the Federation may promulgate and enforce the Rulebook, Operating Standards Manual and safety protocols; admit, suspend, fine or expel Member Teams and participants; set mandatory operational, safety, insurance, branding and media standards; conduct investigations and audits; and issue binding directives with immediate effect unless stayed by the Board.
Participation in the IACSF is a privilege contingent on compliance with the Bylaws. Decisions made in good faith under this authority are final and binding within the Federation.
Jurisdiction
IACSF jurisdiction is global. It extends to every sanctioned competition, championship, league and event held under the IACSF banner anywhere in the world; to affiliated leagues, national federations, regional bodies and Member Teams; to every individual holding an IACSF credential; to all aircraft and equipment operating under IACSF technical standards; and to any entity that voluntarily submits to IACSF authority through affiliation, licensing or sanctioning.
The Board may establish regional chapters in geographic zones it determines. No regional chapter may adopt rules that conflict with or supersede the Bylaws, the Technical Code or the Competition Rules.
Legal status
The IACSF is organized as a non-profit organization. No part of its net earnings may benefit or be distributed to directors, officers, members or private individuals, beyond reasonable compensation for services rendered and payments in furtherance of its purposes. Its principal place of business and legal domicile are established by the Board; international operations follow generally applicable principles of international non-governmental sport organization governance.
The fiscal year runs 1 January to 31 December. The Federation maintains a reserve fund of not less than six months of operating expenses, engages an independent external auditor annually, and makes audited statements available to all Member Teams on request.
Document hierarchy
Where IACSF governing documents conflict, the following order controls:
| Rank | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bylaws and Governing Charter | Supreme governing instrument. Amendment requires a two-thirds vote of all Member Teams in good standing. |
| 2 | Rulebook and Competition Rules | Rules of play for every recognised discipline. Interpreted by the Competition Rules Committee. |
| 3 | Operating Standards Manual | Mandatory standards for team operations, branding, media, personnel and event participation. |
| 4 | All other policies and directives | Technical Code, Safety Manual, Judging Standards, Licensing Grades, Insurance Schedule, procedures and policies. |
Where the Technical Code does not specify a standard, the applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulation applies by default, including 14 CFR Part 91 for full-scale piloted aircraft and 14 CFR Part 107 for unmanned aircraft systems. Where the two conflict, the more restrictive standard applies. IACSF sanction never constitutes authorization by a civil aviation authority.
Commercial rights and marks
The Federation holds and controls all commercial rights to IACSF Championships and events: broadcasting and streaming, title, presenting and category sponsorship, naming rights, data and statistics, licensing of IACSF marks, and ticketing. Member Teams retain commercial rights to their own team events, subject to their Franchise Agreement.
The IACSF name, acronym, logo, championship and rankings designations, Rulebook and Operating Standards Manual are the sole property of the Federation. No one may use IACSF marks or materials without a written license. Any entity purporting to hold or use IACSF designations without valid sanction is subject to immediate legal action. Commercial partnerships are governed by the Sponsorship Integrity Policy.