Record Crowd Gathers for Third ArkanSTOL Competition

ArkanSTOL is the only backcountry flying competition held in the Ozark mountains at Byrd's Adventure Center.

Cam Walton

Friday, October 28, 2022 at 05:35 PM ET

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Kris Griewahn landing after successfully completing the qualification course. [Courtesy: Cam Walton]

Key Takeaways:

The third annual ArkanSTOL (Arkansas Short Takeoff and Landing) competition in the Ozarks attracted its largest turnout yet, featuring backcountry flying across three aircraft classes on multiple grass strips.
This year's event introduced new elements, including qualifying rounds and a comprehensive scoring formula that combined time, actual landing distance, and manufacturer's published landing distance.
Beyond the competition, ArkanSTOL offered an expanded experience with an AOPA-sponsored presentation tent, special flight demonstrations (like C-130J simulated landings), and evening social events fostering camaraderie and aviation education.

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How fast can you go slow? It’s a question that was answered during the third annual ArkanSTOL (Arkansas Short Takeoff and Landing) competition held in September in the Ozarks before the largest turnout to date.

ArkanSTOL—Arkansas’ only backcountry flying competition held in the Ozark mountains at Byrd’s Adventure Center (51AR)—began as an idea started around a campfire by co-founders Joe Edwards, John Young, and Rusty Coonfield.