STOL Enthusiasts Flock to EAA AirVenture's Twilight Flight Fest

The daring pilots don’t fail to disappoint at Oshkosh demonstrations.

Josh Richling

Wednesday, August 09, 2023 at 05:17 PM ET

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Joe 'Pops' Dory plugs his ears as Jason Busat prepares to launch. [Anitra Goddard]

Key Takeaways:

The STOL (short takeoff and landing) demonstration at EAA AirVenture Twilight Flight Fest was a highly anticipated and well-attended event, drawing thousands of enthusiasts to witness elite backcountry pilots.
Coordinated by Frank and Kris Knapp since 2014, the event featured prominent STOL community figures and pilots from various competitions, who showcased their aircraft and spot landing skills in an informal, entertaining manner.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including record heat and thunderstorms, that led to the cancellation of one scheduled demonstration, pilots engaged with the enthusiastic crowd through a Q&A session, emphasizing the STOL community's passion and focus on safety.

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The STOL (short takeoff and landing) demonstration at EAA AirVenture Twilight Flight Fest, hosted at the Ultralight Field in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in late July, saw fans lining up along the fences hours before the event to secure their spots. Thousands of STOL enthusiasts gathered to witness their favorite backcountry pilots showcase the remarkable capabilities of their aircraft.

Frank Knapp, an Alaskan STOL pilot and current holder of the Valdez STOL record distance, and his wife, Kris, have been coordinating the STOL demonstration at AirVenture since its inception in 2014. Along with the Knapps, the elite of the STOL community were present to help put on a spectacular show.