Rocky Mountain STOL Reflects Growth

This year, the number of spectators doubled and pilot participation tripled for the event in Pinedale, Wyoming.

Monday, August 21, 2023 at 12:53 PM ET

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The Wind River mountain range served as a picturesque backdrop for the second annual Rocky Mountain STOL competition. [Credit: Daniel Major]

Key Takeaways:

The second annual Rocky Mountain STOL competition in Pinedale, Wyoming, experienced significant growth, doubling spectators and tripling pilot participation despite challenging high-altitude and windy conditions.
The event was praised for its hospitality by the town of Pinedale and organizers, fostering strong community engagement among participants.
Pilots demonstrated exceptional skill across various classes, with highlights including Steve Henry's 76-foot combined distance win in the Unlimited Class and Collin Caneva earning the "Fan Favorite" award.

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Ralph Wentz Field (KPNA) is situated in the rustic town of Pinedale, Wyoming, with the Wind River mountain range serving as a picturesque backdrop for the second annual Rocky Mountain STOL competition hosted by Emblem Aviation.

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.”