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

Verified

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

Key Takeaways:

The STOL demonstration at EAA AirVenture Twilight Flight Fest in Oshkosh attracted thousands of enthusiastic fans to witness backcountry pilots showcase their aircraft.
Coordinated by Frank and Kris Knapp since 2014, the event featured elite STOL pilots and key community figures, including founders of STOL organizations and renowned announcers.
This year's demonstration focused on pure spot landing skills and pilot enjoyment rather than measured distances, delighting fans with a less formal approach.
Despite challenging weather, including record heat and thunderstorms that led to a canceled session, pilots engaged the audience with a Q&A, highlighting the community's passion and adaptability.

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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.