Celebrate International Day of Air Sports with FAI Virtual Gliding
07/10/2026 - To celebrate the International Day of Air Sports, FAI Virtual Gliding is thrilled to invite fans, flight simulation enthusiasts, and competitive pilots to a global virtual exhibition hosted on Condor 3 simulator.
Operating under the FAI's official theme to "open the skies to new audiences," this multi-tiered festival bridges the rich grassroots history of traditional soaring with the dynamic, fast-paced world of modern esports. Whether you are looking to test your fundamental stick-and-rudder skills, share a scenic flight with friends, or push high-performance sailplanes to their absolute limits, our specially curated program offers a variety of flight experiences for all skill levels.
Join us on October 14th across three distinct events:
The "Early Days" 50km Challenge
Step back in time and recreate the legendary FAI Silver Badge requirements. This nostalgic, foundational task challenges pilots to fly a 50km route in more than one hour while achieving an altitude gain of over 1000m. The grid is strictly limited to 'School' class gliders, leveling the playing field and focusing entirely on fundamental thermaling techniques.
The Expert Twist: Top pilots are invited to raise the stakes by competing in the classic SG-38 primary glider, testing their purest stick-and-rudder skills in an unforgiving, open-air airframe.
The St Crépin ASK-13 Tribute Challenge
Designed to celebrate the true camaraderie of club soaring, this 180km task pays tribute to the beloved yearly St Crépin friendly gathering. Pilots will fly the legendary ASK-13 two-seater through the spectacular, rugged terrain of the French Ecrins massif. Set under fantastic virtual weather conditions, this challenge emphasizes the joy of sharing the cockpit with friends and enjoying the breathtaking alpine scenery together.
The 120-Minute Free Distance Challenge
To honor the historic 120th FAI General Conference, we are hosting a massive multiplayer virtual race utilizing a custom Assigned Area Task (AAT) format with oversized sectors. The rules are simple: pilots have exactly two hours to cover the maximum distance possible.
Restricted to high-performance 18m sailplanes like the Jonker JS3 and Schempp-Hirth Ventus 3, this is a pure tactical sprint. Competitors will need to optimize their routing, read the energy lines, and push their thermal strategies to the limit before the clock expires.
Stay tuned!
Prepare your joysticks, gather your co-pilots, and join us on October 14th as we open the skies together. Registration details and server access links will be available shortly on the FAI Virtual Gliding platform.
