The Amazing Short Takeoff And Landing Aircraft Featured Last Year At AirVenture Are Returning For A Repeat Performance

One of the best shows in town last year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh was the Valdez short takeoff and landing (STOL) competition. It takes place in the ultralight area of the AirVenture grounds where the grass is green and so is the runway. It’s a great place to hang out and watch the show. Now, EAA tells us it’s happening again.

The specially modified STOL aircraft that were a hit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 are the same aircraft types that compete at the annual Valdez, Alaska, fly-in and air show each May. This year more than a dozen of them will demonstrate their unique capabilities along with the skills of their pilots.

The STOL aircraft, including homebuilts and specially modified production airplanes, will participate. They’re based on aircraft that provide supplies to the rugged and far-flung outposts throughout Alaska whose demanding terrain requires takeoffs and landings on rough runways often less than 500 feet long.

The Valdez STOL activities will include flying during the afternoon air show and on selected evenings at EAA AirVenture’s grass airstrip for ultralights on the south end of the grounds. These flying activities are made possible with support from CubCrafters, one of the nation’s leading backcountry aircraft manufacturers.

“We knew that last year’s Valdez flying competitions and demonstrations would be popular, but we had little idea how much fun it would be for both participants and those who watched them,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs. “The pilots drew cheers during the afternoon air show demonstrations and thousands of aviation enthusiasts crowded around the ultralight runway for the informal post-air show evening festivities with the airplanes. This is true grassroots flying, perfect for Oshkosh.”

While the airplanes and pilots involved are commonly from Alaska, aviators and aircraft from throughout North America are expected to participate once again this year. Last year, it was common to see these aircraft take off and land in less than 50 feet. There will be flight competitions during the afternoon air shows on July 20-21, competition finals prior to the July 22 night air show, and fun flying at the ultralight airstrip on July 23 (mid-day) and July 24 (evening).

(Image: Frank Knapp takes off in his Lil’ Cub during the Valdez STOL competition at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014. Photo by DeKevin Thornton provided by EAA)

FMI: http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure