INTERNATIONAL AERIAL COMBAT SPORT FEDERATION, INC.

IACSF TECHNICAL CODE

Aircraft Classification, Airworthiness Standards,

Equipment Specifications, and Technical Inspection Procedures

Adopted by the IACSF Board of Directors | 2026

ARTICLE I — PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY

Section 1.1 — Purpose

The IACSF Technical Code (the "Technical Code") establishes binding minimum standards for all aircraft, equipment, and systems operating in IACSF-sanctioned events. It governs aircraft classification, airworthiness certification, equipment specifications, technical inspection procedures, homologation, and prohibited technologies. The Technical Code is adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the Technical Standards Committee under Article X of the IACSF Bylaws.

Section 1.2 — Default to FAA Standards

Where the Technical Code does not specify a particular airworthiness, operational, or equipment standard, the applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation shall apply by default, including:

• 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules, for all full-scale piloted aircraft.

• 14 CFR Part 107 — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, for all remotely piloted aircraft and UAS under 55 lbs.

• 14 CFR Part 21 — Certification Procedures for Products, Articles, and Parts, for type-certificated aircraft.

• 14 CFR Part 43 — Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration.

In the event of conflict between this Technical Code and applicable FAA regulations, the more restrictive standard shall apply. Nothing in this Technical Code shall be construed to authorize operation of any aircraft in violation of applicable civil aviation authority regulations.

Section 1.3 — Binding Effect

This Technical Code is binding on all Member Teams, pilots, remote operators, aircraft owners, equipment suppliers, and officials participating in IACSF-sanctioned events. Compliance with this Technical Code is a condition of participation and is incorporated by reference into all Franchise Agreements and event sanction agreements.

Section 1.4 — Amendment

The Technical Standards Committee shall review and update this Technical Code no less than annually. Substantive amendments require approval by the Board of Directors. Emergency technical directives may be issued by the Technical Standards Committee with immediate effect, subject to Board ratification at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE II — DEFINITIONS

As used in this Technical Code, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

"Airworthiness Certificate" means a certificate issued by the FAA or recognized foreign civil aviation authority confirming that an aircraft meets applicable airworthiness standards.

"Class I Aircraft" means any full-scale piloted aircraft operating under IACSF rules, requiring an FAA Airworthiness Certificate and operated by a licensed pilot.

"Class II Aircraft" means any remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operating under IACSF rules, subject to FAA Part 107 or equivalent authorization.

"Class III Aircraft" means any high-speed drone or small UAS competing in IACSF Drone Combat disciplines, subject to applicable FAA UAS regulations and IACSF class-specific rules.

"Combat System" means any board-approved system used to simulate aerial combat engagement, including gun camera systems, laser tag systems, smoke systems, and electronic scoring systems.

"Homologation" means the process by which the Technical Standards Committee certifies an aircraft type or equipment system for use in a specific IACSF class.

"Technical Inspector" means an IACSF-certified official authorized to conduct pre-competition and post-competition technical inspections.

"Technical Directive" means a binding directive issued by the Technical Standards Committee addressing an urgent technical or safety matter between scheduled Technical Code reviews.

ARTICLE III — AIRCRAFT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Section 3.1 — Classification Overview

All aircraft competing in IACSF-sanctioned events shall be classified pursuant to this Article. No aircraft may compete in a class for which it has not received IACSF homologation, except as provided in Section 3.5.

Section 3.2 — Class I: Full-Scale Piloted Aircraft

Class I encompasses all full-scale aircraft flown by a licensed pilot aboard the aircraft. Classification criteria include:

• Must hold a current FAA Airworthiness Certificate (Standard, Special, or Experimental Exhibition) or equivalent from a recognized civil aviation authority.

• Pilot must hold at minimum an FAA Private Pilot Certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft.

• Maximum gross takeoff weight, performance envelope, and engagement zone parameters as specified in the applicable Class I Competition Rules.

• All modifications must be documented and comply with FAA maintenance and alteration requirements under 14 CFR Part 43.

Sub-classes within Class I (e.g., piston, turbine, jet, warbird) shall be defined in the IACSF Rulebook and Competition Rules.

Section 3.3 — Class II: Remote Combat

Class II encompasses remotely piloted aircraft operated by a licensed remote pilot. Classification criteria include:

• Maximum gross weight: As specified by class, not to exceed limits established under applicable FAA regulations unless operating under a valid FAA waiver.

• Remote pilot must hold a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or equivalent authorization.

• Aircraft must be registered with the FAA or applicable civil aviation authority.

• All control systems, telemetry, and fail-safe mechanisms must meet IACSF Class II specifications.

Section 3.4 — Class III: Drone Combat

Class III encompasses high-speed unmanned aerial systems competing in IACSF Drone Combat disciplines within designated controlled airspace. Classification criteria include:

• Maximum gross weight and dimensional envelope as specified in Class III Competition Rules.

• Must operate within FAA-authorized or waivered airspace at the event site.

• Propulsion, control, and combat system specifications as defined in the applicable Class III homologation standards.

• All Class III aircraft must use IACSF-approved Combat Systems only.

Section 3.5 — Provisional Classification

The Technical Standards Committee may grant provisional classification to aircraft types not yet fully homologated, for exhibition or qualifying purposes only, subject to enhanced technical inspection and Board approval.

ARTICLE IV — AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS

Section 4.1 — Class I Airworthiness

All Class I aircraft participating in IACSF-sanctioned events must:

• Hold a current FAA Airworthiness Certificate appropriate to the aircraft category and intended operation.

• Have completed all applicable Airworthiness Directives (ADs) prior to competition.

• Have a current Annual Inspection completed within the preceding 12 months in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91.409, or an Inspection Authorization (IA) sign-off for Experimental aircraft.

• Carry current aircraft logbooks (airframe, engine, and propeller) available for inspection at any IACSF-sanctioned event.

• Be equipped with all required instruments and equipment per 14 CFR Part 91.205 for the intended operation category.

Section 4.2 — Class II and III Airworthiness

All Class II and III aircraft must:

• Be registered with the FAA or applicable civil aviation authority prior to competition.

• Comply with all applicable FAA Part 107 operational limitations or hold a valid FAA waiver for any deviations.

• Pass IACSF pre-competition technical inspection verifying structural integrity, control system function, fail-safe activation, and Combat System compliance.

• Maintain documentation of all modifications and maintenance performed since the previous IACSF inspection.

Section 4.3 — Modifications

Any modification to a Class I aircraft affecting airworthiness, performance, or structural integrity must be:

• Documented in accordance with FAA requirements, including a Form 337 where applicable.

• Disclosed to the IACSF Technical Inspector prior to competition.

• Approved by the Technical Standards Committee if the modification is outside the scope of existing homologation.

Undisclosed or unapproved modifications shall result in disqualification and may trigger disciplinary proceedings under Article XX of the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V — EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Section 5.1 — Combat Systems

Only IACSF-approved Combat Systems may be used in sanctioned events. The Technical Standards Committee shall maintain and publish a current list of approved Combat Systems. Approved categories include:

• Gun Camera Systems — digital video-based engagement scoring systems with defined field-of-view and hit-detection parameters.

• Laser Tag Systems — infrared or laser-based engagement systems meeting IACSF signal strength and safety specifications.

• Smoke Systems — pyrotechnic or non-pyrotechnic smoke generation systems for visual engagement indication, subject to FAA approval and event venue authorizations.

• Electronic Scoring Systems — onboard telemetry-based engagement scoring systems meeting IACSF data integrity specifications.

All Combat Systems must be installed and tested by a qualified technician prior to competition and inspected by the IACSF Technical Inspector. Combat Systems may not be altered, disabled, or tampered with during competition.

Section 5.2 — Safety Equipment

The following safety equipment is mandatory for all Class I aircraft in sanctioned events:

• Approved fire suppression system or fire extinguisher accessible to the pilot.

• Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91.207, where required.

• Parachute system for pilots where engagement altitudes exceed parameters established in the Class I Safety Standards.

• Approved helmet meeting IACSF head protection standards.

• Flight suit or equivalent fire-resistant clothing as specified in the IACSF Safety Manual.

Section 5.3 — Communication Equipment

All Class I aircraft must be equipped with an operable aviation-band radio capable of two-way communication on the event control frequency. Class II and III aircraft must maintain reliable command-and-control links meeting IACSF signal integrity standards. A designated abort/emergency frequency shall be established for each event and monitored by all competing aircraft.

Section 5.4 — Data Recording

The Technical Standards Committee may require the installation of IACSF-supplied or approved data recording devices on competing aircraft for purposes of scoring verification, safety investigation, or performance monitoring. Data recorded by IACSF-supplied systems is the property of the IACSF.

ARTICLE VI — PROHIBITED TECHNOLOGIES

Section 6.1 — Absolute Prohibitions

The following technologies, systems, and modifications are absolutely prohibited in all IACSF-sanctioned events and may not be waived by the Technical Standards Committee:

• Any weapon, projectile, or system capable of causing actual physical harm to another aircraft, pilot, official, or spectator.

• Electronic warfare systems, including jammers, GPS spoofers, or any device capable of interfering with another aircraft's navigation, control, or communication systems.

• Systems designed to cause structural failure or loss of control in another aircraft.

• Any modification that renders an aircraft incapable of safe controlled flight.

• Autonomous or AI-controlled engagement systems that operate without real-time human control input during combat engagement.

Section 6.2 — Conditional Prohibitions

The following technologies require prior written approval from the Technical Standards Committee before use in any sanctioned event:

• Pyrotechnic systems of any kind, beyond IACSF-approved smoke systems.

• Experimental propulsion systems not covered by existing homologation.

• Any onboard recording or transmission system beyond standard Combat System specifications.

• Performance-enhancing modifications to engines or propulsion systems outside type certificate limitations.

Section 6.3 — Prohibited List Updates

The Technical Standards Committee shall review and update the Prohibited Technologies list annually and may issue Technical Directives adding technologies to the prohibited list with immediate effect where a safety concern is identified.

ARTICLE VII — TECHNICAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES

Section 7.1 — Pre-Competition Inspection

Every aircraft entered in a sanctioned event must pass a pre-competition technical inspection conducted by or under the supervision of an IACSF-certified Technical Inspector. Pre-competition inspection shall include:

• Verification of aircraft registration, airworthiness documentation, and logbook currency (Class I).

• Verification of FAA registration and Part 107 certification or waiver (Class II and III).

• Visual inspection of aircraft structure, control surfaces, and propulsion system.

• Verification of Combat System installation, calibration, and function.

• Verification of mandatory safety equipment.

• Verification of communication equipment operation.

• Confirmation of absence of prohibited technologies.

Aircraft that fail pre-competition inspection shall not be permitted to compete until deficiencies are corrected and a re-inspection is completed and passed.

Section 7.2 — Post-Event Inspection

Any aircraft may be subject to post-event technical inspection at the direction of the Technical Inspector, Chief Judge, or Commissioner. Requests for post-event inspection must be complied with immediately. Failure to submit to post-event inspection or tampering with aircraft following competition shall result in disqualification and referral for disciplinary proceedings.

Section 7.3 — Random Inspections

The Technical Standards Committee may conduct random technical inspections of any aircraft at any time during an event weekend, including during the event itself where safely practicable. Random inspection results that reveal non-compliance will be treated as a technical violation and referred to the Commissioner.

Section 7.4 — Inspection Records

The Technical Inspector shall maintain written records of all pre-competition, post-event, and random inspections, including findings, actions taken, and outcomes. Inspection records shall be retained by the IACSF for a minimum of five (5) years and made available to the Safety and Compliance Committee upon request.

ARTICLE VIII — HOMOLOGATION

Section 8.1 — Requirement

No aircraft type or Combat System may be used in IACSF-sanctioned events without current IACSF homologation, except as provided under Section 3.5 (Provisional Classification). Homologation certifies that a particular aircraft type or system meets IACSF technical standards for a specific competition class.

Section 8.2 — Homologation Application

Applications for homologation shall be submitted to the Technical Standards Committee on the prescribed form, including technical specifications, documentation of airworthiness certification, performance data, and Combat System compatibility information. The Technical Standards Committee shall issue a decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of a complete application.

Section 8.3 — Homologation Validity

Homologation is valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance, unless revoked earlier. Homologation lapses automatically if: (a) the aircraft type is modified in a manner that materially affects the basis of homologation; (b) applicable FAA airworthiness directives are issued that affect the aircraft type; or (c) the Technical Standards Committee issues a Technical Directive withdrawing homologation. Renewal applications must be submitted no later than sixty (60) days before expiration.

Section 8.4 — Appeals

Homologation decisions may be appealed to the Appeals Committee pursuant to Article XXI of the IACSF Bylaws within twenty-one (21) days of the decision.

CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION

The foregoing IACSF Technical Code was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the International Aerial Combat Sport Federation, Inc.

Technical Standards Committee Chair: _______________________________ Date: __________________

Commissioner: _______________________________ Date: __________________

Chairperson, Board of Directors: _______________________________ Date: __________________

INTERNATIONAL AERIAL COMBAT SPORT FEDERATION, INC.