Integrity and reporting
The Federation conducts its affairs with integrity, accountability, fairness, transparency and respect. These pages set out what is expected of everyone who serves or competes under IACSF authority, how violations are dealt with, and how to raise a concern.
Report a concern
Any Director, the Commissioner, committee members, officers, employees, contractors, Member Teams, licensed participants, officials and anyone else associated with the Federation may report suspected violations of law, the Bylaws, the Code of Ethics or Federation policy. Reportable conduct includes fraud and financial misconduct; bribery and corruption; manipulation of competition results or judging; safety violations or concealment of safety incidents; harassment, discrimination or abuse; violations of law; and retaliation against any reporter.
| Channel | Use |
|---|---|
| ethics@iacsf.org | Monitored by the Commissioner or designated Ethics Officer. |
| Sealed written submission | Marked "Confidential, Ethics Report", delivered to the IACSF Secretary-General. |
| Anonymous online portal | Third-party administered. The address is published once the portal is designated. |
| Direct report to the Board Chair | Appropriate where the concern involves the Commissioner or senior leadership. |
Reports may be anonymous. Include what you can: the conduct, dates, places, people involved, witnesses and any documents. An incomplete report is not disregarded. Every report is acknowledged within five business days. Credible reports are investigated promptly by the Commissioner or Ethics Officer, or by a special investigator appointed by the Board where senior leadership is involved, with the aim of completing within 60 days. The reporter's identity is not disclosed outside the investigation without consent, except where law or a fair investigation requires it.
Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith, cooperates with an investigation, or refuses to take part in conduct they reasonably believe is unlawful is strictly prohibited and is itself a serious violation. Reports known to be false are a violation of the Code of Ethics; reports investigated and found unfounded are not.
Whistleblower Protection Policy
Code of Ethics
The Code applies to every Covered Person: Directors, the Commissioner, Executive Committee and Standing Committee members, appointed officials, employees and contractors. Its principles are integrity, accountability, fairness, transparency and professional respect. Conduct that brings the Federation into disrepute is prohibited in any forum.
Covered Persons may not solicit gifts, hospitality or benefits from anyone who does business with, seeks to do business with, or is regulated by the IACSF. Unsolicited benefits are limited to meals or hospitality up to USD 150 per occasion and promotional items up to USD 50; cash, gift cards, benefits above USD 150 from one source in a year, and anything from a party in active proceedings are prohibited. Any benefit over USD 50 is disclosed to the Commissioner in writing and entered in a register. The IACSF has zero tolerance for bribery and corruption. Each Covered Person signs a written acknowledgment of the Code on appointment and annually.
Conflicts of interest
A conflict exists where a Covered Person has a direct interest, or an indirect interest through a spouse, partner, dependent child, sibling, parent, business partner or an entity in which they hold five percent or more, that could improperly influence or appear to influence their judgment on a matter before the Federation. Conflicts are disclosed to the Commissioner (or the Board Chair, where the Commissioner is affected) before any deliberation or vote, verbally at the meeting and in writing within five business days. The conflicted person recuses from deliberation and voting, leaves the room, and is not counted toward quorum on the matter. The Secretary-General keeps the Conflict of Interest Register for at least seven years, and every Covered Person files an Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement.
The Federation enters no contract with a Covered Person or related party unless the relationship is fully disclosed, the person is recused, the Board finds the terms fair, and a majority of disinterested Directors approve. Failure to disclose can void the action taken, bring disciplinary action up to removal, and create personal liability for resulting losses.
Conflicts of Interest Policy and Annual Disclosure Statement
Confidentiality
Confidential Information includes Board and committee deliberations not in adopted public minutes, legal advice, pending rule changes and enforcement actions, everything relating to disciplinary proceedings, commercial plans and agreements, technical standards under development, and personal data of participants and personnel. Covered Persons use it only on a need-to-know basis, protect it with appropriate safeguards, return or destroy it at the end of service, and remain bound for at least five years after service. Unauthorized disclosure is reported to the Commissioner immediately and is a material breach.
Anti-doping and performance integrity
Because aerial combat sport is safety-critical, substance use is treated as a public safety hazard as well as an integrity issue. The IACSF enforces an anti-doping policy aligned with the WADA Code and USADA standards. Prohibited substances are those on the current WADA Prohibited List plus any separately prohibited by the Board, and specifically include beta-blockers in precision and judgment-based aviation disciplines and alcohol at any blood alcohol concentration above 0.001 within twelve hours of or during a competition session.
Testing may be conducted at any time in a sanctioned season, in or out of competition, with or without notice. Refusal is treated as a positive result. A confirmed violation brings immediate suspension from the event, disqualification of its results, forfeiture of prize money, and suspension from future events for at least two years for a first offence and life for a second, as determined by the Judicial and Disciplinary Committee. Therapeutic Use Exemptions are applied for at least 30 days before competition under the WADA International Standard. Match-fixing, deliberate non-performance, bribery and unauthorized receipt of betting-related information can bring lifetime ineligibility.
Discipline
The IACSF has disciplinary jurisdiction over all licensed individuals, Member Teams and affiliated entities. Proceedings may be initiated by the Commissioner, on referral from any Standing Committee, or on complaint by a Member Team, licensed individual or official. Violations fall into six categories: safety, competition integrity, anti-doping, misconduct, regulatory and operational, and administrative.
Except where immediate safety or legal risk requires action, a respondent receives written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure before formal proceedings. The Commissioner or Committee Chair may impose a provisional suspension of up to 60 days, reviewed by the full Committee within five business days. Every proceeding provides written notice of charges, an opportunity to respond, the right to present evidence and witnesses, the right to counsel at the respondent's expense, and a written decision with findings. Proceedings are confidential until a final decision and normally conclude within 30 days.
| Available sanctions, in escalating order | |
|---|---|
| Written warning | First-time or minor procedural violations, with required corrective action. |
| Formal reprimand | Entered into the permanent record. |
| Fine | Under Article XVII, within limits set by Board resolution. |
| Operational sanctions | Removal from a session, disqualification of results, loss of championship points, suspension from events. |
| Probation | With specified conditions. |
| Suspension | From competition or official duties for a defined period. |
| Revocation | Of the IACSF credential or license. |
| Permanent ineligibility | From IACSF sanctioned activity. |
Proceedings must begin within four years of the violation or its discovery, with no limit for fraud, safety conduct resulting in injury, or match-fixing. The Federation recognises sanctions imposed by civil aviation authorities, anti-doping authorities and other recognised sport bodies.
Appeals
Any individual or Member Team sanctioned by the Judicial and Disciplinary Committee may appeal to the Appeals Committee by filing in writing with the Secretary-General within 21 days of the written decision, with the appeal fee, refunded if the appeal succeeds. Grounds are limited to error of law or misapplication of IACSF regulations, procedural error that materially affected the outcome, new evidence not reasonably available at the hearing, or a manifestly disproportionate sanction. The Committee may affirm, modify, reverse or remand, and may grant a stay where there are substantial grounds and a risk of irreparable harm; otherwise sanctions and fines remain in effect during the appeal. Decisions are rendered within 60 days and are the final internal decision of the Federation, subject to any arbitration agreement executed on licensing or membership.
Licensing decisions, homologation decisions and withdrawals of sanction follow their own appeal windows: 30 days, 21 days and 15 days respectively.
Non-discrimination and a harassment-free environment
Under Article XXVI the Federation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Everyone has equal opportunity to participate in aerial combat sport under IACSF jurisdiction, subject to demonstrated qualification and applicable safety requirements. Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation and abuse, whether physical, verbal or online, is grounds for disciplinary action, and all officials and employees complete mandatory anti-harassment training.