Championships and rankings
Only the IACSF may designate an event, series or league as a sanctioned IACSF competition. The use of IACSF marks, Championship designations or World Ranking points depends on a current, valid sanction.
Championship tiers
Four tiers are designated under Section 12.2 of the Bylaws. The scoring standards in Chapter 3 of the Judging Standards apply to events where the IACSF is the direct sanctioning body: the World Championship, Continental Championships and Open Series.
IACSF World Championship
The premier annual or biennial competition determining the world champion in each recognised discipline and aircraft category. Scoring uses an approved electronic system recording each judge's individual scores, time of entry and final computations, retained for five years, with aggregated scores publicly posted after each session. Championship-level events require a Paramedic and an EMT on site, a coordinated plan with the nearest Level I or II trauma centre, and a standby ambulance.
IACSF Continental Championships
Regional championship events held within the Federation's recognised continental zones. A Continental podium finish within 36 months is one route to Tier 4 eligibility.
IACSF Open Series
Sanctioned international competitions open to all qualified competitors.
Member Team Season Championships
End-of-season championships conducted under IACSF rules and sanction by Member Teams and Affiliated Leagues. For these events the Organizing Entity supplies the scoring system to the Event Head Judge at least 48 hours before the first session; IACSF judges apply it under the conduct, conflict-of-interest and dispute rules of the Judging Standards.
Competition calendar
The Federation publishes an annual IACSF Competition Calendar. Conflicts between Member Team events and IACSF Championships are resolved in favour of the Championships.
Dates and venues for the inaugural season are confirmed only once each event's sanction is granted, which requires confirmed airspace authorization and insurance on file. The calendar is published here as sanctions are issued. Organizers should not advertise an event before airspace authorization is confirmed.
World Rankings
The Federation maintains and publishes IACSF World Rankings for each recognised discipline, updated after every sanctioned event. Rankings are the primary qualification criterion for IACSF Championships. Ranking points may be awarded only at events holding a current IACSF sanction; results from an event whose sanction is withdrawn are subject to review by the Commissioner and may be voided.
Rankings for the 2026 season begin with the first sanctioned event.
How Championship competition is scored
Point schedules, time bonuses and elimination rules for each Championship format are set annually in the Competition Rules and published in the event program at least 60 days before the event. Where subjective judging is used, the panel evaluates five criterion categories.
| Criterion | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Combat effectiveness | Successful engagement outcomes: confirmed simulated weapons employment, kill confirmations via approved system or visual flags, defensive break effectiveness and time on target. Highest weighted in combat formats. |
| Tactical execution | Three-dimensional manoeuvring, energy management, position advantage gained and sustained, use of the authorized engagement envelope. |
| Aircraft control and precision | Smoothness, energy conservation, recovery from adverse positions, safe separation from terrain, boundaries and other aircraft. |
| Rules compliance | Altitude limits, authorized manoeuvres, correct disengagement, proper use of approved systems. |
| Sportsmanship and conduct | Professional conduct in the air, compliance with judge signals, observed fair play. Deductions for unsportsmanlike conduct. |
A simulated kill or hit at a Championship may be confirmed by electronic hit-detection, visual smoke, paint marker or flag deployment, unanimous panel consensus on a clear sustained position of advantage with no defensive break, or the target pilot's acknowledgment under the approved protocol. Objective systems take precedence over panel scores unless the Event Head Judge declares a technical malfunction.