Setting Aviation World Records
RRRA World Record Co-ordinator Geoffrey Boot (geoffreyboot@gmail.com)
The Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association (RRR) has a designated authority in the UK from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) to deal with fixed wing flying record attempts by UK pilots issued with UK FAI competitor’s licences. We are able to provide you with help and information regarding the detailed requirements of the FAI and there is a link at the bottom of this page to enable potential record breakers to access more information and sample record forms.
There are many types of record, including point to point records, which must be in excess of 400 km within or crossing international boundaries; circumnavigation records of the world via the equator, red circle routes or the poles; records that include altitude attempts, endurance, etc.
A list of records currently set and held are available on the FAI website and it would be prudent for any potential record breakers to check this site for existing records.
To level the playing field aircraft are broken into categories depending on their max all up weight. This mean that if a record has been broken in one category it can still be broken in another. There are literally thousands of records yet to be set.
The Basics
1) All records must be planned in advance in consultation with the RRR. A notice of proposed record attempt should be lodged with the Records Co ordinator. The first step is to email the Records Co ordinator (take a look at the links at the bottom of this page.)
2) Records cannot be granted in retrospect . Advance notification not only validates the attempt but it ensures that you conform to the correct recording procedures, which are essential for recognition by the FAI.
3) The RRR charges fees for this process and these are listed below. They include the necessary help and paperwork (much of it electronic nowadays) to enable the attempt including the necessary Start and Finish Certificates and the post record claim procedures, ensuring validation by the FAI and the issue of record certificates.
4) Uniquely in the UK world record certificates are signed not only by the President of the FAI but also the Patron of the Royal Aero Club, HRH the Duke of York. These make a fine record of your achievement and of course all records are entered into the world record database kept by the FAI and the RRR.
5) In exceptional circumstances national UK records can be granted that will not qualify for world record status but of course any record that becomes a world record will automatically have to be a British national record.
6) For obvious reasons all records have to be timed and validated. Mostly this boils down to fairly simple procedures using ATC or airport authorities, although in some cases authorised observers have to be appointed by the RRR.
7) All attempts must be 400 km or more and for instance a round the world record attempt could include a number of intermediate legs, even shorter records can involve intermediate legs in the whole distance flown and the outbound and return tracks: so the permutations are worthy of discussion with the Records Co ordinator.
8) Before any attempt you must hold a valid FAI competitors licence. The Records Co-ordinator can arrange for its issue. There are no stringent requirements for the issue of this licence, it is a simple application, it does not need seconding or signing off by a chief flying instructor. The current issue fee is £35.00 and as it may take two or three weeks to issue this licence it should be applied for well in advance of any proposed record attempt.
9) When applying for the licence you will also be required to provide two identical passport size photographs. This form can be downloaded from sample documents below.
2) The RRR have a list of fees for different record classes and these are as follows. The registration/sanction fees are payable in advance and it is normal to pay the £60 required by the FAI for issue of the world record certificate and ratification with the initial fee. If a record fails for some reason then the FAI’s fees, providing the claim has not been entered with the FAI, are refundable but the sanction/registration fees are non returnable.
| First Record Records | Additional Records In The Same Series | |
| Class C-1a/0 and Class C-1a | £225 | £115 each |
| Class C-1b to Class C –1f | £295 | £150 |
| Class C-1g to Class C-1l | £450 | £225 |
| Class C-1m and above | By agreement | |
| Round the World | By agreement | |
| UAVs | By agreement |
3) Where an authorised observer is required, and this is not normally as ATC are normally able to certify, then depending on the appointee there will be a minimum daily charge plus travelling and sustenance if required. This is to be negotiated in advance for each event.
Even if your record attempt did not set a world record a circumnavigator diploma will recognise your achievement in flying around the world. Your name will also be entered into the registry of circumnavigator diploma holders and in addition to this you will receive a certificate. The fee for this is £300 and an application form can be downloaded from the FAI website then forwarded to the RRR.
Geoffrey Boot is the World Record Coordinator for the 3Rs and is more than willing to discuss proposed record attempts. He can be contacted by email on geoffreyboot@gmail.com
World Records
d by guarantee. Registered in England No.1627470. Member of the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom. Representing the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.