Despite challenging weather conditions, seasoned bush pilots navigated through deep, snow-covered canyons and low ceilings to arrive at Valdez-Pioneer Field (PAVD) for the launch of competition May 10. Many found their routes impassable, which limited the number of competitors. 

The Heavy Touring Class of competitors were led by two Helio Couriers that dominated the remaining fleet of Cessnas who were over 100 feet behind winner Lukas Stutzer. Caleb Lofstrom took second place, followed by Shawn Holly in his 1974 Cessna 180.

The Light Touring Class competition was won by Steve Spence in a fat-tired 1957 Cessna 172  with a combined takeoff and landing distance of 192 feet. Mark Hasner took second place in his Cessna 170B, and  Levi Althens was third in another 170B.

In the Bush Class, Cache Carr went unchallenged in his 1977 Piper PA-18 Super Cub. He then joined the Experimental Bush Class, where he was able to showcase his skills.

That class was won by newcomer Lukasz Czepiela in the same Red Bull/Cubcrafters Carbon Cub UL that he landed on the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel helipad in Dubai. It was also the same plane he flew to perform daily aerobatic airshows at Valdez. Lukasz was followed by second-place Carr and third-place Nathan Rehak in his 1922 CAW-12 Cub.

• READ MORE: Carbon Cub Pilot Takes STOL to the Extreme With Helipad Landing

The Light Sport Experimental Class is always a crowd favorite because records are often set. Unfortunately there was no wind during their taxi out. While staging, Dan Reynolds (shortest landing record holder at Valdez) experienced a brake pedal malfunction in his 1983 Chinook Valdez Special and had to withdraw, leaving Frank Knapp (combined takeoff and landing record holder at Valdez) unable to compete against his good friend and rival and capture the victory. Jon Kotwicki with FLY8MA.com took second in his Rans S-20.

Despite temperamental weather with rain and light snow flurries throughout the weekend, aviation and STOL enthusiasts were undeterred. The packed crowd was rewarded with impressive aerobatic performances by Scott Sexton of Barnstormer Aviation, Czepiela, and Reynolds. 

The post Valdez Fly-In STOL Competition Celebrates 20th Anniversary appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to Tecnam, the P2012 STOL is designed specifically to operate at airports and airstrips characterized by “extremely short runways with demanding operational constraints.”

The aircraft, while designed as STOL, still maintains “a 99 percent commonality of parts with the standard P2012 Traveller series aircraft” and still manages to fill the needs of a niche market that relies on a certain level of performance and flexibility, the company said.

About the Aircraft

The P2012 STOL is a twin-piston aircraft with a maximum gross weight of 8,113 pounds and  useful load of 2,831 pounds. It can be configured for up to nine passengers with amenities such as USB ports, individual air outlets, dedicated reading light, seat pockets, and cup and mobile phone holders.

The multimission capability of the aircraft allows it to go from a passenger carrier to air ambulance or cargo hauler within minutes.

• READ MORE: Tecnam P2012 STOL on Track for 2023 Certification

The cockpit features a G1000 NXi avionic system, GFC700 specifically tuned autopilot, and ADS-B In/Out. The flight deck features connectivity with Bluetooth, Flight Stream, Iridium along with weather radar, stormscope, inset map, and ForeFlight Synthetic Vision.

The aircraft also has a wider cabin than other STOL in its class, according to the Italian manufacturer.

Aircraft Performance

According to Tecnam, at the maximum takeoff weight of 8,113 pounds, the P2012 STOL can lift off in 1,033 feet, clearing a 50-foot obstacle in 1,394 feet. The landing distance over an obstacle is reported to be 1,181 feet.

With the production aircraft already in the final stage of the assembly line, the P2012 STOL is ready for the first deliveries to customers, the company said.

The aircraft is scheduled to be on display at Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida on April 9-14.

The post EASA Certifies Tecnam P2012 Traveller STOL Variant appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The event, which drew an estimated crowd of 1,000, featured performances by seasoned pilots and enthusiastic newcomers, with YouTube personalities Ryan Dembroski of Super Aero and Brian Turner from Just Plane Silly, along with other notable figures, serving as announcers.

Touring Class: Brandon Corn Soars to Victory

In the Touring Class, Brandon Corn, the current class standings leader on the 2023 National STOL Series tour, achieved a remarkable personal best with a takeoff distance of 138 feet in his No. 30 1965 Cessna 205 Black Betty. Corn’s performance in the aircraft with a gross weight of 3,300 pounds secured his victory in the class with a combined distance of 323 feet. 

Newcomer John McCardle took second place in his 1978 Maule M5-235C, while Jeff Abrams finished third in No. 65 Piperzilla, a 1965 Piper Cherokee 180C.

“Music City STOL was a great event—awesome crowd. The wind was in my favor, and everything just went right,” Corn said. “After that solid run, I knew we had them whooped. We will get her home and tuned up for the next event.”

Rookie Class: New Competitors Shine

The Rookie Class featured four new competitors. Justin Burkholder, an experienced pilot with 1,200 hours of flight time, shared his excitement about joining the competition. “I’ve got around 100 hours in the airplane,” Burkholder said.

Chase Bentley, flying a 1952 Cessna 170, emerged as the class winner with a takeoff distance of 468 feet. Daniel Donahue’s 1947 Stinson 108-1 secured second at 515 feet, and James Abbot was third in his 1958 Cessna 182B

Backcountry Class: Intense Competition Takes Center Stage

The Backcountry Class was the most competitive of the event, featuring a heated rivalry between the top competitors in the season standings. No. 99 Micah Lindstrom and No. 00 Jeff Pohl in the The Dirty Bird (the 2021 and 2022 National STOL Series Class Champion) battled it out against newcomer No. 52 Shawn Johnson in STOL Trooper—all piloting 1955 Cessna 170Bs.  Lindstrom led after the first round, but Johnson’s performance in the second propelled him into the lead. 

Despite a strong effort by Lindstrom, Johnson secured the victory with a second-round score of 244 feet. Wind gusts and shifts played a significant role in the outcome. Pohl expressed his frustration with his near miss: “I scratched by like 6 inches,” he said. “Otherwise, I think I might have had it.”

Johnson was left in disbelief upon learning he won the class. “No way! You’re joking. I didn’t expect that,” he said “I really thought I was the underdog coming into this event.” He had recently found his engine had three cracked cylinders and said the new powerplant contributed to the win. 

Adventure Class: The American Legend Cubs Shined 

In the Adventure Class, Keith Lange flew 47 hours in his No. 50 1956 Piper Cub Pepper from Wasilla, Alaska, to compete. The American Legend Cub MOACs battled it out, piloted by Brain Shirley (No 81) and Legend Cub Factory Luke Spoor (No. 71). Spoor dominated early as Shirley scratched in his first and fourth rounds. 

The rising density altitude posed challenges, but Spoor emerged as the class winner with a combined distance of 183 feet, followed closely by Shirley and Lange.

Sport Class: Competition, Short Takeoffs

Rich Boardman, a seasoned STOL competitor, was present in his No. 94 CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS and created some exciting competition with Joel Milloway, who piloted his Rans S-7 Tiger Shark. Nick Ardillo, also flying a CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS, endured a challenging start, scratching in his first, second, and fourth rounds. Ardillo secured his only score for the event in the third round with a distance of 234 feet, which earned him third place.

Boardman and Milloway engaged in a neck-and-neck race, with Milloway securing the first two round victories. However, in a nail-biting fourth round, Boardman edged out Milloway to win the class by 2 feet with a combined take off and landing distance of 177 feet—the shortest of the event—and earning him the title of the Music City STOL grand champion.

Unlimited Class: McInteer Seizes the Opportunity

With the absence of the usual top-ranked Unlimited Class competitors, both Charles Lilly and Patrick McInteer were feeling encouraged to showcase their abilities. McInteer narrowly edged out Lilly for the victory.

“I couldn’t be happier with our first year hosting National STOL for the Music City STOL Competition,” said Chad Hall, Music City STOL host, president of EAA Chapter 1343, and co-founder of BOLDAviation. “Having them come to Gallatin is truly next level for us and hopefully the first of many events like this we hope to see at our field. I’m truly grateful to Tom Wolf, Eric Farwell, Karen Flanary, and the whole National STOL team for coming to Gallatin and for our amazing volunteers, local pilots, city and county officials, and everyone else who helped make this happen.”

The National STOL Series continues to see growth, with an increasing number of new faces competing in events across the country. 

Visit the National STOL Series website to view the current season standings and the Music City STOL official scores.

The post Inaugural Music City STOL Competition Takes Off in Tennessee appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The event, sanctioned by the National STOL Series, experienced remarkable growth this year, with the number of spectators doubling and pilot participation tripling. It featured a full field of competitors across the various classes, including not only local participants but also those from Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, and even Alaska. Angela Douglas, co-owner/founder of Rocky Mountain STOL, said “of the 850 people who attended, 268 visitors from 30 different states were in attendance, according to our gate survey.”

National STOL owning partner Tom Wolf also expressed his enthusiasm about the event’s reception.”Our second year in Pinedale was an overwhelming success,” Wolf said. “The town of Pinedale and both John and Angela Douglas could not have been more gracious hosts. We had a great event and look forward to returning next year.”

Rocky Mountain STOL founders the Douglases along with Micah Olson, did well in their inaugural year to establish the event as a favorite among pilots. 

The festivities kicked off Thursday evening for early arrivals, who were treated to a delightful dinner at Half Moon Lake Lodge. The attendees enjoyed a steak dinner with all the fixings and dessert.

STOL practice commenced early Friday to avoid the expected afternoon winds that the area is known for. Wind is not the only weather challenge faced by the small airport as it also boasts the highest elevation among events on the National STOL Series circuit at 7,084 feet msl. Following practice sessions, pilots scattered throughout the town to immerse themselves in the local culture. They filled restaurants, enjoyed the annual park concert, and embarked on a sunset horseback riding excursion on Half Moon Lake.

On competition day, “wind” and “DA” (density altitude) became the buzzwords as the measured distances for this event were nearly doubled compared to others.

“Despite challenging high altitude conditions, we had a phenomenal experience in Pinedale,” said Eric Farewell, National STOL Series owning partner. “Our competitors brought fierce fights to the runway with exceptional performances narrowly taking their victories. As always, it was a pleasure to share our love for aviation with both the local audience and the millions who enjoy our videos around the world.”

Touring Class

Brandon Corn (No. 30), the current leader in the National STOL Series standings in the Touring Class, achieved a best combined distance of 629 feet flying his 1963 Cessna 205. Corn had recorded his previous best combined distance of 496 feet just three weeks earlier at the Sodbusters STOL competition in Hartford, Wisconsin, at an elevation of 1,037 feet msl.

Touring Class Winners:

1. Brandon Corn (No. 30), Team Corn Collision, 1965 Cessna 205, shortest combined distance: 629 feet

2. Matt Schantz (No. R52), 1958 Cessna 180B, shortest combined distance: 639 feet

3. Kurt Leaders (No. R58), 1965 Cessna 185, shortest combined distance: 661 feet

Backcountry Class

The Backcountry Class was undoubtedly the most anticipated to watch, given the hometown rivalry between Micah Lindstrom and Jeff Pohl as they have battled throughout the season for the first place in the points standings. Pohl currently sits second and both he and Austin Clemens (third) have established a longstanding friendly rivalry. Both Clemens and Lindstrom made surprise last-minute arrivals to the event.

Backcountry Class Winners:

1. Micah Lindstrom (No. 99), 1955 Cessna 170B, shortest combined distance: 364 feet

2. Jeff Pohl (No. 00), The Dirty Bird, a 1955 Cessna 170B, shortest combined distance: 382 feet

3. Austin Clemens (No. 62), Team Clemens Aviation, The Dog, a 2011 Aviat Husky A-1C, shortest combined distance: 474 feet

The score differential between Clemens and Lindstrom/Pohl was because of the way the class was stacked, leading to its division into two heats for safety. Unfortunately, Clemens was allocated to the first heat, which was subject to a slight tailwind. In the second heat, Lindstrom and Pohl gained the advantage of a headwind.

“Always respect your airplane, of course, but especially in this density altitude—the airplane just does not feel like it flies the same,” Clemens  said.

Adventure Class

The Adventure Class featured an exciting array of new faces and airplanes, reflecting the rapid growth of STOL competitions and purpose-built aircraft. Brian Shirley, a familiar figure in STOL events often seen setting up or judging the field, made his competitive debut with his brand new 2023 American Legend Cub MOAC with a 95-foot takeoff.

Well-known Alaskan bush pilot Keith Lange added to the excitement by making the journey from Wasilla in his Piper Cub to join the fun.

Adventure Class Winners:

1. Brian Shirley (No. 81), 2023 American Legend Cub MOAC, shortest combined distance: 226 feet

2. Jody Card (No. W92), 2011 Kitfox 7, shortest combined distance: 252 feet

3. Keith Lange (No. W12), 1953 Piper PA18-125, shortest combined distance: 262 feet’

Sport Class

Along with Collin “Evel” Caneva and Rick Boardman, well-known veterans of traditional STOL and STOL Drag events, the Sport Class also saw new faces joining the competition. Boardman faced a challenging start, scratching during his first round but managed to secure the class win with an impressive combined distance of just 139 feet, outpacing second-place Joel Milloway by 29 feet.

Despite finishing third, Caneva received the new “Fan Favorite” award as spectators were invited to vote for their favorite pilot. Caneva earned the honor with 19 percent of the vote, per the National STOL website.

“The people of Pinedale, Wyoming, really made the event even more special than it already was,” said Caneva. “Coupled with everyone that watched online and [is] connected to me through social media, I was nominated for the viewers choice award. How cool is that!? I am so grateful for the event, the event organizers, and everyone that cheers us pilots on.”

Sport Class Winners:

1. Rick Boardman (No. 94), 2015 CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS, shortest combined distance: 139 feet

2. Joel Milloway (No. R22), 1996 Rans S-7S, shortest combined distance: 168 feet

3. Collin Caneva (No. 43), Doc” a 2011 CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS, shortest combined distance: 172 feet

The Rookie Class

John Douglas decided to compete in the Rookie Class alongside three other newcomers to the STOL scene and clinched third place at his own event.

Rookie Class Winners:

1. William Mechan (No. R49), 2022 Rans S-7S, shortest combined distance: 614 feet

2. Jamie Burgess (No. R99), 1969 Cessna 182, shortest combined distance: 985 feet

3. John Douglas (No. 307), 1964 Cessna 182, shortest combined distance: 1,132 feet

The Unlimited Class

The Unlimited Class, always a fan favorite, had only two registered pilots: Steve Henry and Hal Stockman. This class was the final one to compete, and the temperature and density altitude were at their peak, measuring over 9,500 feet. 

However, both STOL legends managed to overcome the challenging conditions and achieve impressive takeoff-and-landing distances. Henry achieved a best takeoff distance of just 12 feet in his famous Wild West Aircraft–Just Aircraft Highlander XL Yeehaw 8,” securing victory with a combined score of only 76 feet. Stockman, piloting his renowned Lawnmower III, a Rans S-7S, achieved a best takeoff distance of 43 feet.

Unlimited Class Winners:

1. Steve Henry (No. 44), Yeehaw 8, a 2022 Wild West Aircraft-Just Aircraft Highlander XL, shortest combined distance: 76 feet

2. Hal Stockman (No. 3), Lawnmower III, a 2018 Rans S-7S, shortest combined distance: 134 feet

Watch the Wild West Aircraft event recap

Detailed Rocky Mountain STOL scoring may be found here. Nationals STOL season standings may be accessed here.

The post Rocky Mountain STOL Reflects Growth appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

It’s where the spirit of exploration reigns, a world apart from congested flight paths and bustling airports.

Whether you’re an intrepid adventurer yearning for the solitude of wild frontiers or a seasoned bush pilot looking for a fresh bird to tame, here are five backcountry aircraft with current listings on Aircraft For Sale, each with their unique character and capabilities, ready to amplify your flying adventures.

2023 Zenith CH 750 SD

Taking the pole position, we’re stepping into the future with the 2023 Zenith CH 750 SD. This light, yet robust aircraft, is perfect for those who love a nose wheel in the backcountry. With a high-lift wing design and user-friendly controls, it’s designed for low and slow flights, letting you soak up every moment.

2019 CubCrafters Carbon Cub FX

Next up, meet the muscle of the lineup: the 2019 CubCrafters Carbon Cub FX. Outfitted with a powerful CC363i engine and an ultra-light carbon fiber frame, this speed demon offers top-notch STOL capabilities, making it a match in heaven for any backcountry flying enthusiast.

Pilots also read: We Fly: CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX-3 & FX-3 Made for Backcountry

2007 Aviat A-1B Husky

Coming third is the trusty 2007 Aviat A-1B Husky. With a robust Lycoming O-360-A1P engine and a tailwheel configuration, this Husky still has much to offer. Reliable, strong, and ready to rough it, it’s the perfect companion for the wild at heart.

1962 Piper PA-18-160 Super Cub

Taking the fourth spot is a blast from the past: the 1962 Piper PA-18-160 Super Cub. As a stalwart of backcountry aviation, this Super Cub is a testament to timeless design. Equipped with a Lycoming O-320 engine and the iconic high-wing, it’s ready to take you wherever the wild calls.

2018 Aviat A-1C-200 Husky

Closing our list is the 2018 Aviat A-1C-200 Husky. This rugged beauty, fitted with a 200 hp Lycoming engine, is built for those seeking an aircraft that’s as adventurous as they are. Boasting a modern cockpit, the A-1C-200 Husky ensures that your forays into the backcountry are comfortable as well as exciting.

Each of these aircraft, with their unique characteristics and capabilities, stands ready to take your backcountry adventures to new heights. From vintage classics to modern marvels, there’s a plane for every pilot’s passion and price point.

Whether you’re ready to embark on your maiden flight into aircraft ownership or want to diversify your fleet with a new airborne chariot, remember that each journey begins with a single flight. Discover all these airplanes and more on Aircraft For Sale, your portal to the next chapter of your flying adventure.

When you’re ready to take the next step towards airplane ownership for your backcountry dreams, we have you covered. Getting pre-qualified is easy with FLYING Financial Group; simply fill out an application in minutes, speak with one of our aviation experts, and get closer to your dreams today!

The post Top 5 Backcountry Airplanes You Can Own Today appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Frank Knapp, an Alaskan STOL pilot and current holder of the Valdez STOL record distance, and his wife, Kris, have been coordinating the STOL demonstration at AirVenture since its inception in 2014. Along with the Knapps, the elite of the STOL community were present to help put on a spectacular show.

Among the notables on the field were Russ Keith, founder of the ever-growing nonprofit organization  Airplanes & Coffee, and national STOL series founder Doug Jackson. 

STOL trailblazer Joe “Pops” Dory and STOL ”Queen” Anitra Goddard could be seen at the spot landing line, signaling to the fans if the landings were good or a scratch. 

The recognizable voices of Cory Robin and SuperAero Live YouTube host Ryan Dembroski, who announced for the series this season, could be heard over the loudspeakers engaging the crowd and narrating the piloting skills shown in each takeoff and landing.

The impressive lineup of demo pilots that the crowd was there to see flew in from everywhere to showcase their skills and aircraft. A majority of them jump between the growing STOL events that include STOL Drag, National STOL and ArkanSTOL. Eight of the 12 competitors flew in formation to Oshkosh from the national Sodbusters STOL competition that took place a short flight away in Hartford, Wisconsin, just days before the start of AirVenture.

The demo roster included some STOL greats (with airplane number in parentheses where applicable): (You can view the full details of the STOL demo pilots and their aircraft here.)

• Amir Bayani, STOL Bandits—(100) Carbon Cub EX-2
• Austin Clemens—(62) “The Dog” Aviat Husky A-1C
• Brian Steck—(221) “Scooter” American Legend Cub MOAC 
• Harold “Hal” Stockman—(3) “The Lawnmower III” RANS S-7S
• Jason Busat—(12) “Full Send” 2023 RANS S-20
• Jeff Pohl—(00) “The Dirty Bird” Cessna 170B
• Joe Dory—(53) “Wicked Pacer” Experimental Pacer
• John Young—(127) “Stickers” Aviat Husky A-1B
• Kyle Bushman—Backcountry Super Cub Rev 3
• Richard Ness and Nick Smith—Experimental PA18 L21 Yooper Super Cub
• Steve Henry—(44) “Yeehaw 8” Wild West Aircraft, Just Aircraft Highlander XL
• Tony Terrell—1954 Piper L-21B

The crowd cheered and celebrated as pilots hit the line and shared in the disappointment if there was a scratch. Unlike previous years, this year’s demonstration was a purist’s delight as no measurements were taken, giving the event the feel of a spot landing contest where the pilots had freedom to have little fun with it.  

Austin Clemens could be seen showing off his reversible pitch prop capabilities as he  “accidentally” pulled too far over the start/finish line. Steve Henry ran on his big tires most of the week, eventually switching to his now popular knobby tire setup, as requested by fans who visited his vendor booth throughout the week in Oshkosh. Jason Busat flew in from Alberta, Canada, and was excited to debut his new 2023 Rans S-20 in the demonstration. 

View highlights here at the National STOL Series YouTube Channel and here at the Wild West Aircraft YouTube Channel

“The most exciting part of co-announcing the STOL Demo at Osh this year was seeing all of the passion the audience had and being able to tell the story of safety and proficiency that permeates the STOL community,” said Dembroski. “Cory [Robin] and I had lots of amazing interactions with kids of all ages at the fence line, and if we inspired even one young boy or girl to pursue flight or STOL, we’ve done our jobs.”

The weather usually makes headlines during AirVenture, and this year was no different as the event experienced record-setting, sweltering hot days and powerful evening thunderstorms that turned the grounds into what has affectionately been dubbed “Sloshkosh.” The storms brought strong wind gusts that took out some tents, vendor booths, and a few ultralights.

The STOL demonstrations were originally scheduled to take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, but because of the adverse weather conditions, the Friday event had to be canceled. The STOL pilots didn’t disappoint the unwavering crowd and made up for it with an engaging Q&A session moderated by Robin and Dembroski, where they passed out stickers and autographed posters.

The post STOL Enthusiasts Flock to EAA AirVenture’s Twilight Flight Fest appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Also performing at the event June 16 through 18 was the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the Navy’s Blue Angels, their first appearance in the Ohio capital in 28 years. 

The three-day event featuring aerobatics, racing, and military aircraft displays drew more than 50,000 spectators to the airport, which had not hosted an air show in 16 years.

It also was the first time STOL Drag was executed on concrete. The amount of braking became evident to the crowd as tires smoked across the aggregate while pilots attempted to stop their aircraft for the fastest times.

STOL Drag Records

Pilot Steve Henry set a new STOL Drag record with a 51.09-second lap over a full 2,000-foot track.

Michael Goulian returned to STOL Drag and became the first to participate both as a racing competitor and a main show aerobatics pilot. Goulian raced back and forth from bush airplane to aerobatic aircraft, which his team had waiting for him. 

With the ever-evolving format of STOL Drag, it appears the motor sport has finally solidified itself as a main attraction among fans new to it. The crowd was completely enthralled by the excitement and quickly learned the pilots’ names and profiles and began rooting their favorite airplanes just like NASCAR auto racing fans. 

STOL Drag racing took place during all three days of the event, with pilots battling each other and the clock to move up through the higher payout placements. 

In the end, it was Steve Henry, piloting “Yee Haw 8,” who took home the first Columbus with pride after his record-setting runs.

Using beta prop mode, Austin Clemens finished second in his Aviat Husky just in front of third-place Hal Stockman in his Rans S7S.

The post Air Shows Return to Columbus with STOL Drag Racing Event appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Pioneer Field is tucked away in the heavily glaciated Chugach Mountains near the head of a deep fjord in the Prince William Sound, just across from the Port of Valdez, and the Valdez Glacier that sits to the east of the runway. Despite how awe-inspiring this landscape may be, it owns a reputation for creating fast-changing and inclement weather conditions, but it seems the weather gods were smiling down upon the 19th Annual Fly-In & STOL Competition with blue skies and  an abundance of sunshine. The conditions could not have been more beautiful for this legendary event.  Regular Valdez competitor Dan Reynolds said, “Overall this year’s weather was some of the best I have seen.” 

The ramp was full of airplanes belonging to competitors and spectators who traveled from hundreds, even thousands of miles to participate, coming from as far north as Fairbanks and North Pole, Alaska, to Juneau, just 450 miles to the south of Valdez. Boaz Schwarts of Tel Aviv, Israel, flew his Carbon Cub FX3 from Bend, Oregon, to join CubCrafters at the event to give demo rides, and another person traveled 4,348 miles from Tampa, Florida, to volunteer for the event.

Of the 2,000 spectators in attendance were 200-plus passengers from the HMS Nieuw Amsterdam, a Holland America Line cruise ship that was docked at the port just a few miles up the road. The city of Valdez offered the ship’s aviation enthusiast a free shuttle ride to the fly-in.

Light Sport

Even a few Canadians made it over the border to compete, including Valdez Light Sport Class winner Reynolds, who made his event debut in 2016 in his 1984 Chinook Valdez Special. This was Reynolds’ sixth year competing at Valdez, having only missed 2020 due the Canadian border being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Reynolds is one of the fan favorites, having set a new short landing record in 2018 with a distance of 9 feet, 6 inches, beating the previous record of Valdez STOL legend Frank Knapp in his “lil’ Cub” set the previous year at 10 feet, 5 inches.  

Reynolds has reached the podium every year since he started competing at Valdez, and 2023 was no different. He took home another first place win in the light sport category with a take off distance of 28 feet and landing distance of 38 feet for a combined 66 feet that also earned him the overall best score. Because of the unusually mild weather, the stronger headwinds that bring the super-short, record-breaking distances were lacking, leaving Reynolds’ 2018 mark standing for another year. 

You can watch Reynolds compete at the Wayne America Fly-In in the National STOL Series against some of the most talented pilots in the lower U.S., including Steve Henry, Austin Clemons, and Hal Stockman.

This year, Knapp and his wife, Kris, were spotted on the spectator side of the fence. Knapp said, “We enjoyed the show from the spectator viewpoint this year! For us, one of the most exciting moments was watching Dan (Lawn Dart) Reynolds with his Chinook! It was a great group of pilots and machines!”

Alternate Bush

Nathan Rehack took the win in the Alternate Bush Class in his 2022 Experimental CAW12 Super Cruiser, with a combined score of 171 feet, an impressive 49 feet shorter than second place.

Bush Class

The Bush Class was the most stacked class of the event with nine aircraft, including Piper PA18s, ranging from the early 1950s to the late 1970s, a PA22 Tri Pacer, a 1943 Interstate S1B1, and a 1946 Aeronca Champ! Joe Prax, the Valdez fly-in president, said he found the Bush Class scores to be the most impressive, and although the Aeronca Champ didn’t win the class, pilot Kyle Sobeck did a great job with a lower-powered plane without flaps. The crowd appreciates any airplane flown well.

It was newcomer George Pine who won the Bush Class in his 1959 Piper PA18. This was Pine’s first time competing at an STOL event. 

Light Touring 

The 170 Mafia enjoyed a strong showing in the Light Touring Class. However, the strength-in-numbers axiom didn’t apply this weekend as it was Steven Spence in his 1958 Cessna 172 who took the win for the third consecutive year with the combined shortest distance of 170 feet.

Heavy Touring

The Heavy Touring Class was also stacked with a strong presence of Cessnas— 206, 185, and 180s—but it was a 1978 Helio Courier that won by a whopping 113 feet over second place with a combined distance of 177 feet flown by Lukas Stutzer. It was Stutzer’s second career victory at Valdez. 

Second- and third-place finishers James Sparks and Keving Doyle have competed for many years. Doyle especially sports a long family history in Alaska STOL, as his uncle was part of the first known competition held on the beach on Kenai in the early 1970s.

Prax was pleased with the turnout this year: “We had a good mix of new and veteran pilots who all performed well. The wind at the event was only 7-8 knots but (was) extremely steady. Another factor in great performance is the low density altitude from cooler temperatures and the event (being) at sea level.” 

The day ended with a delicious dinner and awards banquet at the Valdez Convention & Civic Center that overlooks Port Valdez. With the Sugarloaf, Benzene, and Mummy mountains serving as a breathtaking backdrop, it was the perfect setting for a  celebratory formation flyby—performed by aerobatic pilots Scott Sexton of Barnstormers Aviation in his Citabria and extreme sports athlete Melissa Dawn Burns in her Edge 540—to celebrate the competing pilots, volunteers, staff, and 350 of their closest friends, family, and fans.

Richard McSpadden of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said, “Valdez is hallowed ground for STOL. It is like (the) Fenway Park and Lambeau Field of bush flying.”

Valdez STOL is known for bringing this type of competition to the forefront of general aviation and has made  a direct impact on the creation and growth of popular events in the lower 48 states. The staff is already planning and preparing to celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary in 2024.

All in all, the 19th Annual Valdez STOL Competition was truly a sight to behold, made even more memorable by the gorgeous weather. 

The post Annual Valdez STOL Event Brings New Competitors, Former Winners appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

As the sun approached the horizon, the crowds began gathering while the crews and pilots of the STOL Demonstration quickly took the field setting up cones, flags, chalk, and tape measures in a well-orchestrated nexus of skilled individuals volunteering their time to facilitate this impressive show. While technically not a competition, some of the best in the world traveled great distances to demonstrate their aircraft and skill and were not to be outdone.

The STOL Contenders

With the legendary STOL pilot Frank Knapp and his wife Kris—alongside Anitra “STOL Queen” Goddard—at the helm of this year’s event, it went off without a hitch. Moved back two hours from previous years, the new start time put the setting sun directly in the windscreen of pilots on day one. However, this would be the last instance of this set up, as winds shifted in favor of the sun behind the pilots for the following two days. 

Although the event was spread over three days with Steve Henry in his Wild West Highlander winning days one and three, day two proved to be the only day that mattered as winds were most favorable on this day allowing Dan Reynolds to take full advantage of this steady wind in his custom-built, nitrous-oxide-assisted two-stroke fat ultralight he calls the “Valdez Special” Chinook. 

Reynolds was able to stick the most amazing landing—at an approach angle reminiscent of that of a lawn dart—driving his tires into the sand of the beaten grass strip stopping his forward momentum. It was as though he had dropped a tail hook and caught an arresting wire on an aircraft carrier for the landing that left his tail still remaining over the line for the win in the lights class. Jay Stanford flew his nitrous-powered Exp Super Cub extremely well to fill the third spot against these much lighter aircraft.

In the heavies it was Ross Harwell taking the number 1 spot in his husky followed by hometown favorite Warren Grobbelaar in his Cessna 180.

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The locals were undeterred, arriving in their muck boots. The runway was high ground and competition continued as scheduled. Braking was challenging. 

The SwampSTOL event opened with a new look, logo, rules, and a completely new format of classes created by statistics from the previous year. For the first time, the different types of aircraft are being placed together based on performance data in the hands of capable pilots in competition, not relying on speculative POH information, published performances, and gross weights alone. 

• READ MORE: Carbon Cub Pilot Takes STOL to The Extreme With Helipad Landing

The two newest noteworthy classes are the Rookie Class, designed to encourage newcomers to join and fly with pilots of similar experience in STOL, and the Unlimited Class, which demonstrates the best-performing STOL aircraft with pilots competing for prize purses.

SwampSTOL 2023 Results

Touring Class

Brandon Corn, in his custom-painted Cessna 205, won with an impressive 333-foot combined takeoff and landing, followed by Clayton Stansell at 489 feet in a Cessna 180 and 

Don Mickey (with two people in the cockpit) pulled off 507 feet for his 2023 return.

Bush Class

Jeff Pohl took first place with 145 feet in front of newcomer Shawn Johnson at 156 feet, followed by Micah Lindstrom at 172 feet.

Adventure Class

It was all American Legend Cubs, beginning with Brian Steck at 110 feet, while Collin Canev—with only a few hours at the stick of this new airplane—laws down a 134-foot run for second, with Luke Spoor finishing on his tail at 138 feet. 

Rookie Class

Kelly Qualls placed first with 229 feet in his CubCrafters Carbon Cub, which—according to the rules of the class—bumped him out of this class in the future. Chris Jamison flew his Zenith 701 to a second-place finish at 233 feet, followed by Nick Ardillo in his Carbon Cub at 253 feet.

Sport Class

Rick Boardman took first place at 114 feet in his Carbon Cub, with the belly pod attached, in front of Kris Griewahn in his Just Aircraft SuperStol at 208 feet, with newcomer Justin Tisdale flying his Zenith 701 to a 462 feet third place finish.

Unlimited Class

Steve Henry was on fire with his brand new Yee Haw 8 Wild West Highlander, taking first with an unbelievable 35-foot combined score, followed by Dan Reynolds, who caught a gust at the line, forcing him to add throttle to prevent scratching on his third lap, finishing second with 77 feet.

The City of Jennings, Louisiana and Jeff Davis Tourism Parish partnered to serve several hundred pounds of crawfish, cooked on the spot, and served to all the pilots and crews in attendance. It was a gesture that continues to entice competitors to make the journey to this unique event.

The sunrise of the 2023 National STOL season came with the sunset of STOL Queen Anitra Goddard, who was given an emotional ceremony and send-off. All the pilots, crews, and staff thanked Anitra for all her hard work and wished her the best in her future endeavors. 

More information on future National STOL competitions may be found here.

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