In accordance with the published process (MGASA Blog 28 March 2011) to select the F3K team to
represent South Africa at the World Championships in 2027, we invite participants to the F3K Team
Selection events, as follows:
● 2/3 January 2026 Team Qualifier 1, Kurland Polo Fields, Plettenberg Bay
● 26 April 2026 Team Qualifier 2, BOMAC, Paarl, NATS
● 18 July 2026 Team Qualifier 3, GEMS, Gauteng
● 19/20 September 2026 Team Trials, TBC after considering where most qualifiers reside.
Should the events not be able to be flown on the scheduled days due to poor weather, backup
dates will be determined and communicated to everyone involved. Any changes to the venues will
be published as far in advance as possible.
One of the three respective qualifiers have to be flown in order to qualify to be part of the
respective Team Selection processes.
In the event that more than 3 senior pilots and 3 junior pilots are able to qualify and wish to attempt to qualify for the respective teams, Team Trial events will be run. The top 10 pilots from the respective Team Selection events - determined by taking each pilot’s best score of the three events and normalising this to a percentage - will be invited to the respective Team Trials.
Pilots invited to the respective Team Trials events will be asked to sign a letter confirming adequate self funding and availability to travel, prior to the Team Trial events. The duration of an overseas trip to participate in a World Championships event is typically 12-13 days. The (largely self funded) cost is around R50 000.00 plus the cost of competitive models.
Proposed team lists are submitted to SAMAA for final ratification. It is important that prospective team members achieve as high as possible average scores throughout the selection process, to be accepted by SAMAA.
The final teams going to the respective world championships will comprise of a maximum of 3 pilots in each age group (with a 4th person standing by as a non-travelling reserve). As per new FAI rules, each National Airsports Control (NAC) may also enter one additional female competitor (senior or junior) in addition to the maximum of 3 pilots per age group, allowing a senior or junior team to consist of a maximum of four competitors if one is an additional female participant. The team members of each class and age group may select an additional fourth travelling team member, as team manager. Alternatively, one of the senior team pilots could fulfil this role.
These selections will be run in accordance with the FAI/CIAM regulations, with modifications to the rules as allowed by the Model Gliding Association. A minimum of 6 rounds will be flown at each event.
Only paid up SAMAA members are eligible to take part in National Team Selection processes. The eligibility and allocation of National Colours are subject to SASCOC conditions and requirements.
For more details please contact the F3K representative, Ken Goodenough, Ken.goodenough@eseeng.co.za, 082 650 2660.
