Member Teams
Membership in the IACSF consists of approved franchise teams. Member Teams are admitted as franchisees of the Federation, holding territorial, competitive and commercial rights defined in their Franchise Agreement and the Bylaws.
Classes of membership
Section 4.2 of the Bylaws recognises six classes. Only Member Teams in good standing vote on the Board.
Founding Member Teams
Teams in existence at the Federation's formation that executed a Founding League Agreement. Membership is permanent and non-revocable, subject only to compliance with the Bylaws and their Franchise Agreement.
Full Member Teams
Teams admitted after the founding period under the admission requirements below.
Expansion Teams
Newly admitted teams subject to additional requirements, performance deliverables and Conservatorship authority as determined by the Board.
Provisional Members
Organizations in the process of completing membership requirements.
Affiliated Leagues
Leagues and competition series that have entered a sanctioning or affiliation agreement with the IACSF but are not franchise Member Teams.
Individual Members
Individuals involved with IACSF-sanctioned events register as members for execution of agreements and documents, coordination and communications.
Admission
Teams are evaluated and admitted on:
- Execution of a Franchise Agreement in the form approved by the Board.
- Payment of all required franchise fees and initial assessments.
- Proof of insurance meeting the IACSF Insurance Schedule, naming the IACSF as additional insured.
- Demonstration of financial capacity, qualified management and a pilot roster.
- Access to suitable venues and airspace authorizations.
- Approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Rights of Member Teams in good standing
- One vote on matters presented to the Board, and one appointed Director.
- Territorial protection as defined in the Franchise Agreement.
- The right to participate in IACSF competitions.
- Access to IACSF resources, training programs and official support.
- Commercial rights to the team's own events, subject to rights reserved to the IACSF.
Obligations
Member Teams must comply with the Bylaws, Rulebook, Competition Rules, Technical Code and all IACSF decisions; the Operating Standards Manual and operational directives; insurance and safety requirements; IACSF branding and media obligations; and all applicable laws and aviation regulations.
Performance deliverables
As a continuing condition of membership, each team must maintain:
- Compliance with the Rulebook and Operating Standards Manual.
- All required safety procedures, insurance coverages and regulatory approvals.
- Event participation readiness and operational capability for all scheduled IACSF events.
- Compliance with branding, media and sponsorship obligations, including IACSF approval of every sponsor visible at a sanctioned event.
- Financial solvency and timely satisfaction of all IACSF financial obligations.
- Qualified management, a pilot roster and support personnel.
Failing a deliverable is a material violation of operating standards and triggers the corrective action process of Article XX before any formal disciplinary proceeding.
Dues, insurance and good standing
The Board sets an annual schedule of dues, fees and assessments for each class of membership. Assessments beyond standard annual dues require a two-thirds vote.
Arrears
More than 90 days in arrears: voting rights automatically suspended until resolved. More than 180 days: possible suspension or termination of membership.
Insurance
Every policy required by the Insurance Schedule must name the IACSF as additional insured, on a primary and non-contributory basis with waiver of subrogation, and give 30 days' notice of cancellation. Proof is due 60 days before each Championship and annually on renewal. Lapse is grounds for immediate provisional suspension.
Safety audits
The Safety and Compliance Committee audits every Member Team at least once every two years and may inspect any sanctioned event unannounced. Teams that fall short are placed on a remediation plan and may have sanction suspended until compliance is restored.
Corrective action and Conservatorship
Except where immediate safety or legal risk requires provisional suspension, a team that misses a deliverable first receives a written Notice of Deficiency and at least 14 days to submit a Corrective Action Plan identifying the root cause, remedial steps, timeline and responsible persons. The Commissioner reviews the plan within ten business days and verifies completion within 15 days of notice. A resolved record is not treated as a prior violation if no further violation occurs within 12 months.
If deficiencies creating safety, legal or commercial risk are not cured, the Board may place a team into Conservatorship: temporary operational oversight, an appointed operational advisor or manager, financial controls, conditioned or restricted event participation, and suspension of voting rights for the period. Conservatorship is corrective, not punitive, and is intended to preserve the team's viability while protecting the Federation.
Expulsion
Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote of all Member Teams in good standing. On expulsion all rights to participate in IACSF events cease immediately, all licenses to use IACSF intellectual property are revoked, outstanding financial obligations remain due, and the Federation may reassign the territory and franchise rights at its discretion.
Enquiries
Prospective teams and leagues: info@iacsf.org. The Franchise Agreement form and current fee schedule are provided by the Commissioner's office on request.