A STOL for every season

Short takeoff and landing competitions have boomed in popularity in recent years, and winning requires particular techniques that pilots must practice to perfect. The National STOL series is not the only game in towns around the country, and many 2022 events are likely to continue. While competition flying is not for every pilot, it has proved to be life-changing for some.

Swamp STOL: National STOL’s 2023 season begins with the third annual Swamp STOL Competition and Fly-in on March 17 and 18 at the Jennings Airport in Louisiana. The event, known for its Southern charm and Cajun influences, will be chock-full of aerial entertainment and local musical accompaniments.

Outlaw STOL: Next, the National STOL Series will again partner with Outlaw STOL on April 22 and 23 at the Somerton Airport in Yuma County, Arizona.

SoCal STOL: SoCal STOL finds a new home at the Flabob Airport in Riverside/Rubidoux, California, home of EAA Chapter 1. The event takes place on May 5 and 6, in conjunction with the airport’s tenth annual Low & Slow Fly-In, and will be the National STOL Series’ only West Coast event of the year.

Wayne America Fly-In: The WayneAmerica Fly-In in Wayne, Nebraska, is the National STOL Series’ first new locale of year. The event, happening May 26 through 28, will be the only event to combine both National STOL and STOL Drag competitions.

Isle Fly-in: Another new event this season is the Isle Fly-In at Mille Lacs Lake in Isle, Minnesota, July 7 through 9. The National STOL event will be taking place in conjunction with Isle Flying club’s annual breakfast fly-in.

Sodbusters STOL: On July 22 and 23 Sodbusters STOL will have its second year at Hartford Municipal Airport in Wisconsin. The event takes place the weekend before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and is about a 30-minute flight to Wittman Regional Airport.

Rocky Mountain STOL: Hosted in Pinedale, Wyoming, by Emblem Aviation August 11 through 13, Rocky Mountain STOL is back again after a well-attended inaugural event last year, when attendees were spoiled with breakfast, ice cream, and a bus ride to Half Moon Lake Lodge for a four-course meal.

Georgia STOL: Georgia STOL, taking place September 22 and 23 just south of Atlanta, Georgia at Newnan-Coweta County Airport in Newnan, Georgia, joins the series this year with details to be shared at a later date.

Lonestar STOL: National STOL Series’ founding event, Lonestar STOL, will take place in Texas for the fourth year in a row on October 27 and 28. Lonestar STOL will not be hosting the Series Season Championships as it has for the previous three years. The Season Championship stand-alone event will take place in December with details on date and location still to come.

National STOL said that a “Mid-Atlantic location and an event in Nashville, Tennessee are currently in early planning phases.” Details on these events and more can be found online.