Since we pool resources to make games possible, these standards are to assist us in choosing equipment compatible enough for group play.
If one person hosts a game and provides everything, obviously none of the standards apply.
Scale
We use 1/144 models for fighters.
Bombers can be any scale from 1/300 to 1/144, depending on what we have available. Larger bombers are usually best in smaller scales, so they fit on the table in formation.
Hex Mats
We use 3" hexes.
It has become obvious that most scenarios are playable in less than the full 30x45 CY6 hex grid, but we must fit the whole of the most important 15x15 sector on the table, and as much around it as necessary to get the game started.
Aircraft Stands
The bases of aircraft stands should be 3" or smaller, to fit into 3" hexes.
Telescoping rods should have at least 6 segments; 7 or more is okay, and 5 is usually enough for bombers.
The bottom segment of each telescoping rod should be 4"-4.25" long. Each internal segment of the rod should be between 3.5" and 3.125" (they get shorter toward the top), the dimensions of the existing rods owned by our major plane collectors.
Magnets
We have no consistent standards about magnets. Many telescoping rods come with randomized polarity in the attached magnets, so if you have a choice, use a bit of steel on the airplane model instead of a magnet, to enable it to attach to any polarity of magnetic stand.
Magnets have a "north pole" and a "south pole", which can be discovered with a compass (the north pole of the magnet attracts the needle that points north, the south pole of the magnet repels it). Industry standard is to mark the north pole of a magnet red and the south pole blue, so if marking your magnets you should conform to this standard too.
Status Markers
Dice are used to mark speed (they are easier to read at a distance than dials, etc.). The color of the speed die indicates the skill of the pilot, in "stoplight order":
Blue = Ace
Red = Veteran
Yellow = Skilled
Green = Green
Pipe cleaners are used as "smoke" markers to indicate damage states:
Black = engine damage
White = airframe damage
Gray = special damage
Glowing fire with puffy black smoke trail = plane on fire
The TAL of an aircraft is indicated by its telescoping rod.