International Aerial Combat Sport Federation
The governing body and sanctioning authority for aerial combat sport.
We establish the rules, license competitors, certify officials and sanction the competitions in which full-scale piloted aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft and unmanned aerial systems engage in structured, simulated combat.
Full-Scale Aerial Combat is flown in defined engagement zones under IACSF Competition Rules. Illustrative image.
Official notices
- Season 2026 governing documents in forceBylaws, Technical Code, Safety Standards and Manual, Judging Standards, Licensing Grades and Insurance Schedule, effective 1 January 2026.
- Sanctioning applications openApplications for 2026 events are received at least 180 days before the event. Insurance and airspace authorization must be on file before any promotion begins.
- Licensing portalCompetitor license applications are submitted through the IACSF licensing portal. A Tier 4 license is required at IACSF Championships.
Pilots and operators
Licenses are issued in two streams, Full-Scale Piloted and UAS, across four tiers from Club to Elite. A Tier 4 license is required at any IACSF Championship. Your government airman or remote pilot certificate must also be valid.
Event organizers
Only the IACSF can designate a sanctioned competition. Sanction requires a qualified Event Safety Officer, airspace authorization, insurance meeting the Insurance Schedule, and an Event Safety Plan reviewed by the Commissioner.
Teams
Membership consists of franchise Member Teams. Each team in good standing appoints one Director and holds one vote on the Board, alongside territorial protection and the right to compete in IACSF events.
Recognised disciplines
The Bylaws recognise five aerial combat disciplines and give the Board authority to provisionally sanction emerging formats. Every discipline runs under the same Rulebook, Technical Code and Safety Manual.
Full-Scale Aerial Combat
Piloted aircraft in defined aerial engagement zones with structured combat scenarios.
Full-Scale Dogfight Simulation
Structured engagements between piloted aircraft scored by approved combat systems: gun camera, laser tag, smoke or electronic scoring.
Remote Combat Class
Remotely piloted aircraft of specified size, weight and capability categories in combat scenarios.
Drone Combat
High-speed unmanned aerial system combat within designated controlled airspace.
Team Combat
Formation-based disciplines involving coordinated multi-aircraft team engagements.
How the Federation is governed
Authority flows from the Board of Directors, on which every Member Team in good standing holds one vote. The Board appoints a Commissioner as chief enforcement and operations officer, elects four officers, and maintains an Executive Committee and six standing bodies covering safety, competition rules, technical standards, discipline, appeals and judging.
The Judicial and Disciplinary Committee sits independently of the competitive structure. Its decisions can be appealed to the Appeals Committee, whose decisions are final within the Federation.
Documents in force
Season 2026 editions, approved by the Board of Directors. Where documents conflict, the Bylaws control, then the Rulebook and Competition Rules, then the Operating Standards Manual, then all other policies.
Bylaws and Governing Charter
Board of Directors
Twenty-nine articles establishing the Federation, its membership, governance and disciplinary process.
Technical Code
Technical Standards Committee
Aircraft classes, airworthiness, approved combat systems, prohibited technologies, inspection and homologation.
Event Safety Manual
IACSF-MAN-001
Safety zones, technical inspection, fuel handling, briefings, protective equipment and incident response.
Licensing Grades
IACSF-LIC-001
Four tiers in two streams, with the requirements, examinations and renewal rules for each.
Report a concern
Anyone associated with the Federation can report suspected violations of law, the Bylaws or Federation policy: safety concealment, manipulation of results or judging, fraud, harassment, or retaliation. Reports may be anonymous. Good-faith reporters are protected from retaliation.
Incident reporting
All accidents, incidents and near-misses at sanctioned events must be reported using the IACSF Safety Incident Report form within 48 hours. Serious accidents involving injury, death or significant property damage must be reported immediately. Failure to report is a disciplinary violation.