Team France triumphs at the2024 FAI F5J European Championships forElectric Powered Thermal Duration Gliders

Team France triumphed in both junior and senior team classes at the 2024 FAI F5J European Championships for Electric Powered Thermal Duration Gliders. The competition featured 63 senior and 16 junior competitors from 23 nations, all vying for the prestigious title.

The championships took place from 25 to 31 August, with outstanding individual performances. Slovenia’s Primož Rižner soared to the top spot, grabbing the 2024 European champion title and doubling his European Champion accolades.

Competition was tough, with many flights with windy weather conditions challenging the competitors to adjust their models and techniques to optimise each flight. The level of skill among junior participants was noted as very high, which is promising for the future of this class.

Among the female competitors, Jana Štěrbová of Czechia came out on top, with Anne Schütz of Germany being the top junior female. 

FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM) President and Jury Member Antonis Papadopoulos commented:

“The FAI F5J European Championships have been concluded successfully; on behalf of CIAM, I would like to thank the organising team from the Romanian Modelling Federation, and the Deva Airfield staff for their efforts in preparing and running the event, and of course for their hospitality. Congratulations to the winners and to all those who participated.”

The championships took place at Deva Airfield, operated by the Federatia Aeronautica Romana, which also hosts other air sports activities such as gliding, skydiving and aerobatics.

The next FAI F5J European Championships are scheduled for 2026 in France.

Winners

Senior Team

1. France
2. Germany
3. Slovakia

Junior Team

1. France
2. Czechia
3. Germany

Senior

1. Primož Rižner (SLO)
2. Juraj Adamek (SVK)
3. Oleksandr Synielytsyi (UKR)  

Junior

1. Romain Gallet (FRA)
2. David Schütz (GER)
3. Filippo De Luca (ITA)