Glider competition classes

Competition classes in gliding, as in other sports, mainly exist to ensure fairness in competition. However the classes have not been targeted at fostering technological development as in other sports. Instead classes have arisen because of:

• the popularity of certain types of glider
• attempts to contain the cost of access to the sport
• the need to establish a stable environment for investment decisions by both manufacturers and competitors.

The FAI Gliding Commission (IGC) is the sporting body overseeing air sports at the international level so that essentially the same classes and class definitions are followed in all countries.