What Started Off With The Need To Take Off And Land In A Short Distance In The Alaska Bush Has Turned Into A Major Competition

We reminded you a couple of months back that the Valdez type short takeoff and landing demonstrations are on the schedule again for EAA AirVenture 2015. These specially modified STOL aircraft that were big 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.

Well, the actual Valdez competition was held earlier this month in Valdez. Bobby Breeden, who was part of the first-ever STOL demonstrations at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, needed only 44 feet of runway to take off…and land…in an experimental Glacier Cub, topping all others at Valdez and winning the Alternate Bush Class.

Breeden paired a 24-foot takeoff with his second 20-foot landing of the day in less than ideal conditions including 14 knot winds.

Other winning Valdez pilots were:

• Shawn Holly, Soldotna, Alaska, Light Touring Class - 180 feet total, 76 foot takeoff, 104 foot landing, in a Cessna 170B.
• Kevin Doyle, Soldotna, Alaska, Heavy Touring Class - 233 feet total, 105 foot takeoff and 129 foot landing, in a Cessna 180B.
• Chuck McMahan, Gakona, Alaska, Bush Class - 138 feet total - 62 foot takeoff and 76 foot landing, in a Piper PA 18.
• Frank Knapp, Palmer, Alaska, Light Sport - 61 feet on a 21-foot takeoff, 40 foot landing, in his experimental J3 Cub.

The Valdez STOL activities at AirVenture this year will take place during the afternoon air show on selected evenings at EAA AirVenture’s grass airstrip for ultralights on the south end of the grounds. This is something you don’t want to miss.

(The image provided by EAA is a screen grab from video on Valdez Fly-In & Air Show Facebook page showing on Bobby Breeden’s 44-foot combined second set at Valdez)

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