Finally, there is also the option of using very lightweight fiberglass or other composite paper to build tubes just like those made from paper.  Chris Flanigan's incredibly thorough description of how to make such paper can be seen HERE.

S1 Altitude:                                                                                    
What is this event?
This is the FAI Altitude event.
3 Rounds, 2 models allowed, your single highest flight is your score.  
You can read more about the event HERE.

How do I build models for this event?  
You can read Steve Kristal's S1 Altitude Primer HERE.

S2P Precision Payload and Altitude:                                             
What is this event?
This is the FAI event where you fly to exactly 300 meters for exactly 60 seconds while carrying a raw egg, very similar to ARC.
1 Rocket, 3 rounds, score is the sum of all 3 rounds, egg is not checked until after 3rd round. 
You can read more about this event HERE. 

Note that although we frequently fly this event here in the U.S. it is only rarely flown at the World Championship.

How do I build models for this event?
This video by Trip Barber on "Flight Testing in TARC" covers all the considerations in how to get your S2P model to reliably achieve its specific altitude and duration performance target: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lge0QT0uPKw

S3 Parachute Duration:                                                                 
What is this event?
This is the FAI Parachute Duration event.
3 Rounds, 2 models allowed, your score is the total of your 3 flights, each round has a max of 300 seconds (5 minutes).
You can read more about the event HERE. 

How do I build models for this event?
You can read how to build the tubes for these models HERE.
You can watch Steve Kristal's video going through the PDF presentation above at https://sites.google.com/firerockets.org/usjuniorteam/resources
Kevin Johnson's video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqigbrgo6Qw&t=27s 

If you are just starting out with this it may be easier to just buy a commercial kit for this event.

You can purchase kits for these models at Galactic Manufacturing:
https://galacticmanufacturing.com/collections/fai-competition-supplies/products/fai-competition-starter-set  
Absolutely wonderful video of how to assemble the Galactic Manufacturing kit by James Duffy can be seen HERE.

You can also purchase S3 kits at Apogee Components:
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-4-Model-Rocket-Kits/International-Thermal-Sailor
Part 1 of Tim VanMilligan's 12 assembly videos for this kit can be seen HERE.

Flying Tips:
Terrill Willard's great Parachute building and folding presentation (this is a MUST watch, not just for FAI fliers, but even for sport fliers): 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7oWa4FGwe8&t=6s

Steve Kristal's Streamer and Parachute Duration Secrets HERE.

S4 Rocket Glide:                                                                            
What is this event?
This is the FAI Rocket Glide event.
The planes are NOT radio controlled.
3 Rounds, 2 models allowed, your score is the total of your 3 flights, each round has a max of 180 seconds (3 minutes).
You can read more about the event HERE.

How do I build models for this event?
These models are pretty difficult to build from scratch.
NAR members can look through the digital archives for old competition plans at:
https://www.nar.org/content.aspx?page_id=86&club_id=114127 

But for new competitors in this event it makes much more sense to purchase a commercial kit specifically designed for S4.

From J&H Aerospace:
The FLIPFLOP FAI glider (Outstanding beginner S4 flier kit)

https://jhaerospace.com/product/flip-flop-fai/

This is what 3 of our fliers flew in Serbia.  Specifically designed to be easy to build.

The Fliplock Lite: (also sold by Apogee Components)

https://jhaerospace.com/product/fliplock-lite-13mm-rocket-glider/

From Apogee Components:
the Cirrus Breeze:

https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-5-Model-Rocket-Kits/Cirrus-Breeze-Rocket-Glider

or the Fliplock Lite (actually made and also sold by J&H)  

https://www.apogeerockets.com/Model-Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-3-Model-Rocket-Kits/Fliplock-lite?cPath=1_372&

Flying Tips
from World Champion Chris Flanigan:
https://www.yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyiufssXafo&t=557soutube.com/watch?v=fyiufssXafo&t=557s

S5 Scale Altitude:                                                                          
What is this event?
Scale Altitude, where the model is a scale version of a real rocket which flew, awarded static points for the quality, accuracy, and difficulty of the model built and additional points for how high the model flies.
Impulse class (B & C) and model size requirements are different for Juniors and Seniors
You can read more about the event HERE.

NOTE: we have special rules for Juniors trying out for the team - See 2027 U.S. Team Bulletin #1 for the special Flyoff rules.

How do I build models for this event?
Juniors:  For the flyoffs to make the U.S. team everyone builds the same model, an Estes Black Brant III, kit #1293
These kits are available at AC Supply: https://www.acsupplyco.com/estes-black-brant-3-model-rocket?search=black%20brant

Seniors: Any scale model you wish which meets the FAI Sporting Code requirements for S5: 
https://events.fai.org/sites/default/files/document/file/SC4_volume_S_Space_2026_0.pdf

S6 Streamer Duration:                                                                  
What is this event?
This is the FAI Streamer Duration event.
3 Rounds, 2 models allowed, your score is the total of your 3 flights, each round has a max of 180 seconds (3 minutes).
You can read more about the event HERE. 

How do I build models for this event?
You can read how to build the tubes for these models HERE.
You can watch Steve Kristal's video going through the PDF presentation above at https://sites.google.com/firerockets.org/usjuniorteam/resources
Kevin Johnson's tube building video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqigbrgo6Qw&t=27s 

Steve Kristal's Streamer and Parachute Duration Secrets HERE. (teaches you how to make streamers)

If you are just starting out with this it may be easier to just buy a commercial kit for this event.

You can purchase kits for these models at Galactic Manufacturing:
https://galacticmanufacturing.com/collections/fai-competition-supplies/products/fai-competition-starter-set  
Absolutely wonderful video of how to assemble the Galactic Manufacturing kit by James Duffy can be seen HERE.

You can also purchase the International Thermal Sailor kit at Apogee Components but you will need to substitute your own streamer instead of the included parachute.
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-4-Model-Rocket-Kits/International-Thermal-Sailor?cPath=1_372&
Part 1 of Tim VanMilligan's 12 assembly videos for this kit can be seen HERE.

S7 Scale Model:                                                                             
What is this event?
Scale, where the model is a scale version of a real rocket which flew, awarded static points for the quality, accuracy, and difficulty of the model built and additional points for how well the model flies.
You can read more about the event HERE. 

NOTE: we have special rules for Juniors trying out for the team - See 2027 U.S. Team Bulletin #1 for the special Flyoff rules.

How do I build models for this event?
Juniors:  For the flyoffs to make the U.S. team everyone builds the same model, an Estes Estes Saturn 1B, kit #1293

James Duffy has made an absolutely wonderful video of how to build and finish this rocket which you should watch HERE.

The Estes Saturn 1B kit #1293 is available many places, but offered by ACSupply for a 20% discount from suggested retail at

https://www.acsupplyco.com/estes-7251-saturn-1b-model-rocket-kit?search=saturn%201b

Seniors: Any scale model you wish which meets the FAI Sporting Code requirements for S7: 
https://events.fai.org/sites/default/files/document/file/SC4_volume_S_Space_2026_0.pdf

S8 Radio Control Rocket Glide:                                                     
What is this event?
Radio Control Rocket Glide
D impulse for Juniors, E impulse for Seniors, with different landing requirements.
You can read more about the event HERE.  

How do I build models for this event?
Most models today are conversions of commercially available hand-launched Discus gliders.
There are no commercially available kits made specifically for this event.
If you are interested in getting started the best thing to do is to contact a recent S8 team member.

Read more about this event HERE.

S9 Gyrocopter:                                                                               
What is this event?
This is the FAI Gyrocopter (Helicopter) Duration event.
3 Rounds, 2 models allowed, your score is the total of your 3 flights, each round has a max of 180 seconds (3 minutes).
You can read more about the event HERE.

How do I build models for this event?

How to build FAI S9A Gyrocopter 2018 (S9A) by Doug Hilson https://www.nar.org/docs.ashx?id=1641742
Sport Rocketry article by Keith (Herby) Vinyard:  https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1197609-sport-rocketry-1-2020/15?
Video by Trip Barber, experienced US Team member and 2104 Bronze medalist in S9, discusses designs for S9 HERE. 

But for new competitors in this event it makes much more sense to purchase a commercial kit specifically designed for S9.

From Galactic Manufacturing, the S369 Starter Kit (https://galacticmanufacturing.com/collections/fai-competition-supplies/products/fai-competition-starter-set) AND the BM FAI S9A Helicopter Recovery System Hub and Blades (https://galacticmanufacturing.com/collections/fai-competition-supplies/products/bm9-fai-s9a-helicopter-recovery-system-hub-and-blades)

Video of how to assemble the body tube portion of the Galactic Manufacturing kit, by James Duffy, can be seen HERE.

Or from Apogee, the Rotary Revolution kit:  https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-4-Model-Rocket-Kits/Rotary-Revolution
Video of how to assemble the Rotary Revolution kit by Tim VanMilligan can be seen HERE.

Final Note:                                                             
Many more construction tips can be found in the Construction Techniques pages.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact a team member. This really is a team!  It is YOUR team.
People who want to join us aren't seen as competition, they are seen as teammates.  
You can find a list of potential advisors to give you further help HERE.