| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 82 | N825ME | Charles Lilly | 2016 Cub Crafters CC11-160 | Yellow | SkyTrain Aviation, Sugar & Dough Cookie Co | SkyTrain | Coopertown TN | skytrain.aviation | I'm Charles, a TN native that has been flying since 2013. I actually started flying out of the Gallatin Airport way back then. I'm now a CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI, Gold Seal, ATP, Comm Heli, and I like long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain. I fly the Carbon Cub for fun any chance I get, which isn't a lot with the 4 kids my wife and I have. I've only lost the engine in flight once in this plane and man, I wish that landing could have counted in the STOL competition because she didn't travel too far over a horse field once it caught that fence. | | 1865 | | Airstreak | | | |
| 9 | C-IEPY | Dan Reynolds | 1983 Chinook Valdez Special | Green on white | | | Dawson | | Bush pilot all my life flying Super Cubs and Cessna 185 with a Total flying time of 17,000 hrs. This plane is a highly modified 1983 Chinook WT 11. I designed and built all the modifications. I have logged over 6,000 hrs on the 4 Chinooks I own. Going to the Valdez STOL in Alaska inspired me to modify and build this aircraft, hence the name of this model. I have two of the Valdez Special models that are flying and another one all framed up. | Rotax 670 | 1050 | 540 | 8.50 x 6 Goodyear smooth classics | Slats & VGs | Too many to list | |
| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 345 | N345PP | Derek Holman | 1991 Maule MXT 7-180 | White green black | | Trike Envy | Creswell OR | | My names Derek Holman I go by DJ, I’m 19 years old with around 100 hours. I’m a college student at southern utah university with goals of ending up in the airlines. The maule is my fathers airplane and I have been flying it for about 2 years now, Theodore in the back or right seat of the aircraft is our full time passenger and he loves pictures so feel free to take some. If the airplane were to crash it’s said NTSB would never know how many souls were truly on board. | Lycoming 0360 180hp | 2500 | 1490 | 7.00 | MT Prop | VGs | |
| 940 | N94KW | Garrett Hine | 1994 Maule MX7-160 | Red/White | | Fuggleflys | Panama City FL | https://www.instagram.com/fuggleflys?igsh=MTA1bnE2NHBqOXY0ag&utm_source=qr | Been flying for 4 years and had license for 3. About to pass 500hrs. Time is 90% in Maule. New to national stol and | 160hp | 2200 | 1358 | 31 bushwheels | VGs, Extra notch of flaps | Jesus Christ | |
| 59 | N59182 | James Abbott | 1959 Cessna 182B | White with Red stripes | Visual Concepts: Middle Tennessee and the Mid-South's premier home theater and smart home designer and installation specialist.
https://vchometheaters.com/ | Straight Tail STOL | Gallatin TN | | Retired military helicopter pilot, 25 years of uniform service, the last 9 years a part time instructor and Aviation Consultant. Started in the US Army as a Warrant Officer and ended as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force with multiple deployments. Flown as a Police and EMS .
pilot. 3600+ TT ranging from light attack to special operations heavy lift. Fly for fun now in a fully restored 1959 Cessna 182B, camping, sight seeing with family and Pilots N Paws flights. My German Shepherd, Baron, is my dedicated furry copilot.
Commercial Instrument Rotor CFII, Private Pilot SEL
Aircraft flown:
US Army - UH-1H Huey, AH-1P/F Cobra, AH-64A Apache
USAF - MH-53A/J/M Pavelow, UH-1N Twin Huey, Mi-8/17/171 Hip, TH-1H Huey II, AH-530 Gunship
Civilian - MD-500E Magnum PI, OH-58C Kiowa, Bell L4 Long Ranger, Mi-24 Hind | XP-470, 265hp | 2650 | 1715 | 8 inch mains, 7 inch nose | MASA "OWL" STOL Cuff, VGs | MT Composite Prop, Alaska Gear Co. Brakes | |
| 728 | N728VP | James Cartwright | 1978 Cessna A185F SkyWagon | White Red Black Gold | Phat Girl Aviation, | Phat Girl Aviation | Nashville TN | https://www.instagram.com/monkey_wrench_garage | James “Hoss” Cartwright started his career in aviation studying aeronautical engineering in college while working for a local airport full time. Hoss soloed his first time in 1994 and then purchased his first airplane, a 1956 Cessna 172, with half the engine in the back seat. He rebuilt the aircraft and then acquired his PPL.
Hoss was in the computer business for 25 years. He never intended making a career out of aviation, it was his hobby. In 2015 he sold his business and in 2017 became a commercial airline pilot because of the pilot shortage. Hoss now flies airplanes for work but it is still his number one hobby. He is also a commercially rated helicopter pilot.
Hoss has owned many types of aircraft from Warbirds, aerobatic airplanes, helicopters, and currently owns a 1946 Globe Swift, 1975 Beech Baron, and a 1978 Cessna 185 known as Phat Girl. The 185 was named Phat Girl given the ability to haul anything that fits inside and the big tires that were recently put on after removing the amphibious floats so Hoss and his fiancé can enjoy some out west camping trips.
Phat Girl has been upgraded nicely. It has the IO550. The interior has been recently reupholstered, Garmin displays, avionics and a Garmin autopilot have been installed. Although Hoss and his fiancé know airplanes will come and go in their future, they both agree Phat Girl is part of the family and will remain with them as long as they are able to fly her. | Continental IO-550-D 300HP | 3525 | | Bushwheels 29" | WingX Extensions, Horton STOL Kit, IO550, K&N Air cleaner, | LED Lights, Bushwheel Tires, BushWheels Tailwheel, Damper and Stinger Mod, | Phat Girl |
| 65 | N8040W | Jeff Abrams | 1965 Piper Cherokee 180C | Blue bottom, White top, Silver Stripe | | Piperzilla | OCALA FL | | I have flown for 3 different Airlines over 35 years. My final 25 years at UPS and now retired!
Been flying for 61 years, over 26,500 hours, and hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, Numerous Type Ratings for several Jet Aircraft, licensed Helicopter Pilot, Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, and been a Flight Instructor for over 5 1/2 decades!
Flew Airshows and Aerobatic Competitions many years back in a 2 Seat Pitts Special!
I am credited with 657 Young Eagles flown, in a Robinson R22 Helicopter that I own.
I am currently the oldest pilot flying the NationalSTOL circuit at 73 years old, and my 4-cylinder Cherokee 180 is usually the least horsepower engine in the Touring class at any given contest, sometimes one half of the big dog powerplants!
My career has included flying Evil Knievil, President Jimmy Carter, Marie Osmond, Peter Frampton, some of the Rolling Stones, and a wealthy individual on his final flight that died on board by the name of Howard Hughes.
Began flying at 12 years of age using a phone book to see over the Instrument Panel.
I achieved most of my Pilot Certificates at the earliest age possible on my respective birthdays.
I received the titles of “3rd Place Light Touring”, “2nd Place Light Touring” and 3rd Place Touring, for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Seasons, at Gainesville, TX, and Sulphur Springs, TX, in the National STOL Contests.
My 60 year old Piper Cherokee was the first Cherokee off the Production Line in 1965.
Come see why some of the competition fears “PIPERZILLA - The Beast from the Southeast”.
Here is a video from National STOL, released on August 30, 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haFgt_bhWUc | Lycoming O-360-A4A, 180hp | 2400 | 1370 | 6:00x6 | VG's, Many Gap Seals, & Isham Wing Extensions | Some Secret Stuff | |
| 45 | N345PP | Rick Holman | 1991 Maule MXT 7-180 | White green black | | Trike Envy | Creswell OR | | | Lycoming 0360 180hp | 2500 | 1490 | 7.00 | MT prop | VGs | |
| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 30 | N24BC | Brandon Corn | 2024 Backcountry Super Cub Boss | White. Red and Blue stripes | Backcountry Super Cubs, Wyoming. Corn Collision Center Inc. McFarlane Aviation, Flight Resource. Champion Spark plugs and filters Flying Eyes, Best Tugs , Precision Air Power , Brazos Bullet Avaition | Brazos Bullet Aviation | Gause TX | https://instagram.com/bcorn30?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== | From Hearne Texas, 3rd generation owner of Corn Collision Center established in 1948. After years of racing Wing Sprint Cars, started flying and loving the challenge and constant learning and new adventures. I love competing and honing my skills. I enjoy camping and backcountry flying. 2023 Heavy Touring National Champion | Lycoming 540 330hp | 3600 | 1780 | 35” Bushwheels | Slats. TK1 Racing Shocks. 330hp Lycon engine Catto Prop | | Boss Cub |
| 10 | N5630V | John McCardle | 2025 Bearhawk Bearhawk 5 | Orange/Black | | Team Nebraska | Omaha NE | _johnmccardle | Been a pilot for 3 years with 450 hours now. I grew up playing football and got a scholarship to play at Kansas State. After that I played for 3 years in Germany. Once my football career was over, I started competing in Cross-Fit where I qualified for Regionals. Although, 22 years of competitive sports took a toll on my body and I decided to quit competitive athletics. I needed a new hobby and decided to start hunting, where I then learned that you could fly planes into the back country to hunt. This spurred my interest in backcountry flying, which led to me getting my pilots license in May of 2022, ultimately leading me to STOL. My first STOL competition was May of 2023. I have also started a YouTube channel @john_mccardle documenting my flying and hunting adventures.
| Lycoming 580 400hp | 3000 | 1607 | 31 in ABW | | | |
| 260 | N749DM | Luke Strandlund | 2009 Murphy Super Rebel | red and white | Preferred Metalfab Inc. Aircraft Service and Parts | | Mora MN | https://www.instagram.com/lukestrandlund/ | In 2014 I started flying and have been hooked every since. I started in Seneca 2 and moved to a PA31P, Murphy Moose, Zlin Savage and now a Super Rebel. I started competing in National STOL in 2023 with my super rebel. I own a structural steel and metal fabrication company in Minnesota. | Aircraft Service and Parts IO540, liquid cooled twin turbo, HP= ALL OF IT | 3000 | 2000 | Alaskan Bushwheels 31" | vg's, Carbon Concepts Slats, MT prop | Shock Monster gear and shocks, T3 tailwheel, Beringer Brakes | |
| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 16 | N11HY | Brad Crawford | 2011 Aviat Husky A-1C-180 | Black, White, Yellow | | Spa Aero LLC | Hot Springs AR | | I’ve been flying since I was a kid. Bush flying is my passion and I’ve bought and rebuilt many airplanes and many huskys. Including this one which I built completely from the ground up after the original owner damaged it when it was brand new. Love the competition, fun and most importantly the people! | Lycoming O-360-A1P 180Hp | 2250 | 1385 | 29” Bushwheels | VGs, MT Propeller | Bushwheels | |
| 504 | N5048A | Anthony Lee | 1979 Bellanca Decathlon | Red, White, Blue | Faith-ful-Lee Aviation | | Gallatin TN | | He is the owner operator of Faith-ful-Lee Aviation. He is an aviation enthusiast, Commercial Airplane Single Engine Land Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, and Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic with Inspection Authorization Privileges. He started his aviation career in the late 1980’s. He is a 3200+ hour pilot with 2900+ hours in tail wheel airplanes, he has over 1400 hours in the airplane he is flying today. He is flying a 1979 Bellanca Decathlon in this STOL competition; wait isn’t that an aerobatic airplane. | Lycoming, AEIO-320-E2B, 150HP | 1800 | 1300 | 6.00x6 | none | none | |
| 134 | N34HY | Chad Hall | 2000 Aviat Husky A1-B | Yellow | | | Gallatin TN | https://www.instagram.com/hallwaypd1/ | Chad Hall is an aviation enthusiast, father of 3, and married to his high school sweetheart, Laciana, with whom he co-owns several small businesses. As an active member of the GA community in Middle Tennessee, Chad is the current president of EAA 1343 in Gallatin, which hosts a monthly community fly-in / drive-in breakfast which brings in over 400 people monthly to help promote GA and inspire young people for aviation. He also co-chairs BOLD Aviation, which is the host for the Music City STOL.
Chad currently owns and flies a Beechcraft F33A and a Husky A1-B. He purchased the Husky right after Music City STOL 2023 and received his tailwheel endorsement on the ferry flight home from Afton, WY. Since then, he's accumulated over 100 hours in 34HY and loves low and slow flying more and more with every flight. As a low-time tailwheel pilot, Chad is hoping that others will see his participation in STOL as an inspiration to always be working to improve their skills to become a better and safer pilot, no matter how much time you have.
| O-360 | 2000 | 1358 | Goodyear 26" | None | ACME Aero Stinger | |
| 42 | N44RC | Matthew Peterson | 1957 Cessna 172 | Antique white and Navy Blue | Peterson Aviation Services
Two Straws Aviation
Airworx | Team Louisiana | Ethel LA | | Still waiting on paperwork for that new prop! In the meantime, gotta work on those landings! Every hour it gets better and better. See y’all soon! | Continental O-300 170hp Airworx conversion | 2100 | 1800 | Why y’all be asking? | Droop tips | None | The Intruder |
| 19 | N50DT | Jeff Harrell | 2016 American Champion Scout | White/ orange/black | Plunkett Aviation
Harrell Ag Aviation
Strange Aviation | Team Louisiana | Oak Grove LA | Jeff.Harrell19 | I’m a crop duster with Plunkett Aviation in north east Louisiana. I’m 51 years old. I fly an Air Tractor 802 about 700hrs a season.
I love taking the Scout out and landing on the sandbars of the Mississippi River. My favorite place to fly is North Arkansas. If I’m camping I go to Byrds Adventure Center and if I want to fish I go to Gaston’s White River Resort.
I have really enjoyed competing in the National STOL series. The camaraderie of all the competitors just amazes me and I’m grateful for the friendships that I have made over the last season!
Hi Cam and Ryan!
Crop dusting is so misunderstood, most people see a plane flying low applying chemicals and think man that looks fun.
Well it’s a demanding job! I’m flying 12+ hrs a day, 7 days a week in the summer, wrestling the airplane around in the heat and bumps flying extremely low level dodging trees, power lines and wind turbines in the Midwest. It takes a very special skill to do the job. There’s no auto pilot! It’s pure stick and rudder all day and it’s exhausting….. but I love it!
I think when you’re comparing pilots through out all types of flying , I’d rather have a crop duster pilot at the controls when things go wrong!!!!
| O-360 180 HP | 2250 | 1360 | 31” Alaskan Bush | New! 82” Sensenich composite ground adjustable propeller | T3X tail wheel suspension and baby bush wheel | |
| 17 | N134DD | Jerry Clemens | 2008 Aviat Husky A1-C-200 | Red/Black | Clemens Aviation Insurance | Clemens Insurance | Wichita KS | https://www.instagram.com/clemens.jerry/ | I fly a 2008 Husky A1C, N134DD better known as Double D. She has 200hp 31” Bushwheel tires and an MT reverse thrust prop sometimes.She is a little heavy, coming in at 1467 empty. Jerry and double d are on a diet though! | IO360 200HP | 2200 | 1467 | 31” Bushwheel | VG's | MT Prop | https://www.clemensinsurance.net |
| 7 | N5122A | Joel Dopson | 1956 Cessna Super 172 Taildragger | Mustang Red, Antique White | Lift Aviation | LIFT Aviation / STOL Bandits / 170 Mafia | Ooltewah TN | @dieseldopson | I was born to fly. I have been passionate about flying since I discovered it while living in a trailer park under the approach end of the runway in my birthplace of Monroe, LA. My 3rd speaking word was airplane after I learned to say "momma and dadda".
I majored in aviation at Louisiana Tech University and was an ROTC pilot candidate, attended Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot training at Sheppard AFB, Texas in 1997, and then was selected to fly the F-16. First flew in combat during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in Iraq 2001 where I was awarded the Air Medal - and in 2002, became a Joint Terminal Air Controller liaising with the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment where I had the opportunity to serve in ground combat during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM where I earned the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Combat Service. Later, I was honored to serve as an F-16 Instructor Pilot at Shaw AFB, South Carolina in the 79th Fighter Squadron Tigers, Al Dhafra Air Base/US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, Eielson AFB, Alaska as a Red Flag (air-combat exercise) Adversary in the 18th Aggressor Squadron where we also flew and 'fought' in Australia, Guam, Korea and Japan. and finally back to Shaw AFB / 77th Fighter Squadron Gamblers where I retired from the USAF in 2017. Now, I'm employed by a major US airline as Airbus captain, but LOVE to fly STOL and bush almost as much as I loved serving America while employing in the F-16.
I have been married to my wife, Christy for 28 years and we have 2 children - Connor and Aly. I have been blessed in this life and am grateful for family, Jesus and friends.
Moxie is my beloved 1956 172 taildragger. I purchased her in Mar 2023. She is named after my wife's nickname which was attributed to her when she signed up for a 48-mile Disney running race series where she realized it would take her "moxie" to get through it all. Moxie is defined by Webster's dictionary as: force of character, determination, or nerve.
| Lycoming O-360, 180hp | 2200 | 1500 | 31" Alaskan Bushwheels | 180hp engine, Hartzell Trailblazer 82" carbon prop, Sportsman Stol wing cuff, Vortex Generators (VGs), Bush tailwheel | Bolen Tailwheel conversion, Full Garmin IFR instrument panel, Baggage Door, Extended Baggage, Whelen Exterior Lighting Suite - Dual Landing/Taxi lights with Wig-Wag Max Pulse lighting controller, Whelen Orion 650 Nav/Strobes, AeroLeds SunBeacon | |
| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 513 | N513KS | Brian Steck | 2024 American Legend Aircraft MOAC | Blue/Grey/Blue | Aircraft Service and Parts (ASAP) Gladiator Engine
Jacob Sturgis
Catto Propellers
Tony Shock Monster shocks | | Mineola TX | brian_steck | | Gladiator 390 | 2000 | 1270 | 31” Aero Classic | 3 blade Catto propeller, Shock Monster Suspension | | |
| 55 | N11LC | Levi Noguess | 2025 American Legend Aircraft AL-18 Nomad | White, Black, Silver | Legend Aircraft, Aeroplex Labs, Flying Eyes | Fly with Levi | Belton TX | @levinoguess | Joined the NAVY for an adventure wound up at the Naval Academy, but couldn't hack it so I joined the Marines! Spent 6 years snooping and pooping in the woods with a pack on my back in Reconnaisance and Force Recon companies. I also got my Green Beret from a little stint at the Army Special forces school. I went on to join the Army as a Helo pilot; then on to the King Air and Citation. Retired from all that and spent the last 15 years overseas as a contractor flying King Airs and DHC-7 doing ISR for "the customer". Now I have a part time job flying King Air 350 for a Rancher who owns ranches in Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. I'm also a CFI and an avaholic. Most of my free time is spent flying, and intrstructing in Tailwheel aircraft where ever I can find a place to land without pavement. Yee Haww! | Rotax 916 | 1850 | 960 | Desser 29 inch | TK1 extended Gear and Shockmonster shocks. Catto constant speed Propeller, and Beringer Brakes | | |
| 8 | N568MM | Mike Babcock | 2025 Badlands STOL Aircraft Traveler | Blue | Aero Endeavors, Badlands STOL Aircraft, Sea Fare Pacific | | Cottage Grove OR | | Decided to make the trip to Tennessee to give Big Mac a little competition. You notice he switched classes at the last event hoping to highjack the Adventure class making a late season run. No doubt he is one of the best pilots on the circuit - I just want to do my part and make sure he earns it. | Aero Endeavors modified Yamaha Sidewinder 998T - HP? - enough | 1900 | 1046 | 35" UTV tires | Aero Endeavors designed and built Yamaha Sidewinder engine, Aero Endeavors wheel and brake system, Areo Endevors max damper coil shocks, Garetson Aviation Slats, Tundra locking tailwheel | Aero Endeavors fly by wire throttle system, Badlands STOL flap handle, tailwheel dump system, custom belly mount header tank, | |
| 40 | N408LT | Patrick McInteer | 2025 Badlands Traveler | Red White and Black | | Team Nebraska | Lincoln NE | mcinteer1 | Sodbusters will be my last competition in the rans. I am doing a build assist with Jared Garetson at Garetson aviation building a Badlands Traveler. It should be finished within the next month. I will continue flying in the Unlimited class as that was the only way to fly two planes from two different classes and accumulate points all season long. I hope to make top 5 in the Unlimited and get to fly in the finals. | Lycoming IO 360 | 2200 | 1090 | 31" Dessers | TK1 Shocks | | |
| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 67 | N51627 | David Warren | 1967 Piper PA 18-150 Super Cub | Blue, White and Gray | Superior Air Parts
T3 Tailwheel Suspension
Sensenich Propellers | | Mobile AL | just_plane_fun | | Lycoming 0-320 | 2000 | 1150 | 31 Alaskan Bushwheel | VG’s and Sensenich ground adjustable prop | Airframes, Alaska, 3 inch extended gear and T-3 Tailwheel Suspension with Baby Bushwheel | Girl Friend #2 |
| 219 | N219WA | Edward Boyd | 2012 Cubcrafters Carbon Cub | Blue | | STOL Bandits | Apison TN | | Originally from Houston now living in Apison Tn outside of Chattanooga. Previously flew Aerobatic competition now STOL.. TT 3000 . Started competing at the Swamp STOL last year. This makes the 6th event this year. Conditions are always different making for a new challenge. | CC340 | 1320 | 986 | 31 Alaskan Bush | 82x42.5 Cato Prop | Acme Aero Shocks | |
| 828 | N828JP | Foster Carney | 1957 Piper PA18 | Red white blue | | | Gallatin TN | | My dad Jeff Carney inspired me to start flying about 11 years ago. While doing mission work in Alaska, I really fell in love with the super cub. While I am a low time pilot, I’m really enjoying all I can about flying this incredible airplane. | Lycoming 0-320 150hp | 1750 | 1157 | Alaska bush tires 30” | | Acme landing gear | |
| 68 | N382RA | Nick Ardillo | 2014 Cub Crafters Carbon Cub SS | Red and White | Team Texas | #68 Carbon Cub | Dallas TX | Scott Ardillo | 2014 Carbon Cub SS , Acme Aero upgrade.
This is my 8 th event owned my Carbon Cub for five years now
Captain for a major airline based at Love Field Dallas , Texas
Former KC-135 Instructor pilot in Air National Guard.
Proud new owner of a 1984 A36/Bonanza
Total flying time 15k +
Total Tailwheel time 300 hours | Titan 180 hp | 1321 | | 31 inch Alaskan Bush wheels | None | Acme Aero shocks/ Acme stinger Acme 3x3 extended gear legs | |
| 222 | N8180C | Ryan Melendez | 1954 Piper Super Cub PA-18 | White and Gold | Baker Avionics, Whelen Aerospace Technologies, Fairings-Ect | Warriors With Wings | San Diego CA | @flyinsnoopy @warriors_with_wings | My name is Ryan Melendez and I am a full time airport bum, part time airline pilot. My aviation journey started almost 10 years ago at the age of 17. On September 6th, 2015, I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance where doctors were unsure if I would make it through the night as I was suffering from Septic Shock. I spent 3 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit awaiting results to why I was so sick. Unsure of what my future would be, I turned to my father and told him I want to learn to fly. I always had a love for aviation and when I was a baby, my father flew and owned a Cessna 182 with David Crosby until they sold the plane in 2001. Without any hesitation, my father drove down to the local airport (Montgomery Field) and bought me a logbook to bring back to the hospital for me. Then on September 10th, the doctors came in and told my family and I that I was diagnosed with Very High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After spending more than a month in the hospital, I was finally discharged and able to take my first intro flight. It was the first time since being diagnosed that I felt like I had control of my life, and was the ultimate feeling of freedom. In 2018, I learned about the Sport Pilot License and bought a 1946 Aeronca Chief to learn to fly in. It was from that moment on that I became obsessed with everything tailwheel. After finishing treatment at the end of 2018, I filed appeals with the FAA for eight months before being granted my 1st class medical, and went on to get my Private and Commercial ratings. Throughout my three and a half years of treatment, flying always proved to be my escape from the fight with cancer.
In 2020, I was hired to tow banners for FlySkyAds in New Jersey. It was here that I was introduced N8180C, a 1954 180 hp Piper Super Cub. Though I did not know it at the time, this would be the same Super Cub that I own and fly today! I flew over 900 hours in N8180C before going to the airlines in 2021. After being hired by a major airline in 2023, my old banner tow boss reached out to me and asked if I would like to buy N8180C from him, to which I quickly said yes! Unfortunately, the Super Cub did not look the way it does now when I bought it. My father and I spent two years together restoring the Cub and building it to what it is today.
In an effort to give back for all that was given to me during my cancer diagnosis, I started a non profit called Warriors With Wings. The goal of the organization is to help children and young adults battling cancer experience the freedom of flight by providing intro flights, scholarships, and by putting flight simulators in Childrens Hospitals. N8180C aka Goldie was built to help spread awareness of Pediatric Cancer and raise money for Warriors with Wings, as seen by her paint scheme with the Gold Cancer Ribbon on the tail. To think back on the day when I told my father I want to learn how to fly; to where I find myself now seems like something more inconceivable than a miracle, but truthfully I am forever grateful to aviation for saving my life. | Lycoming O-360 180hp | 1700 | 1250 | Alaska Bushwheel 31 inches | Alaska Gear Company (Lift Struts, Titanium Gear/Tailspring, PSTOL Flaps, Baby Bushwheel) - Crosswind STOL Kit - ACME AERO Black Ops Suspension - Sensenich 82" Ground Adjustable Composite Prop - | | Goldie |
| Race Number | Tail Number | Name | Aircraft | Color | Team Name | Sponsors | Hometown | Instagram | Bio | Aircraft Engine | Aircraft Gross Weight | Aircraft Empty Weight | Aircraft Tires | Aircraft Performance Mods | Aircraft Other Mods | Team Website |
|---|
| 11 | N11HL | David Kerley | 2016 Just Aircraft Highlander | OD Green | STOL Creek Aviation
https://stolcreek.com | Grasshopper | Spicewood TX | | I came to flying later in life and the capabilities afforded by bush planes for exploring the untracked and uncrowded portions of our world has taken a strong hold of me. Flying in the backcountry and even just accessing properties without a formal airport is tremendously fun and convenient. STOL competitions are a wonderful place to meet great people and learn from others in a controlled and very focused manner. Every event I’m blessed to be able to attend brings new friends and great memories. | Rotax 912, modified with SuperCharger and Edge Performance Fuel Injection, estimated 150 hp | 1547 | 746 | 26" | Supercharger, Edge Performance Fuel Injection and EFI | | |
| 95 | N95RF | Matt Dorssom | 1995 Kitfox 4 | Silver and Black | | Maddog | Lancaster KS | | From Lancaster Kansas run heavy equipment for a living.
Bought a Kitfox halfway through my flight training got my private pilots license been having fun since. | Yamaha Apex 160hp | 1200 | 775 | Alaskan Bushwheels 29" | Yamaha Apex 160hp. Piggy Back STOL kit from Snake River Bush Planes LLC. | TK1 landing gear,TK1 tail wheel, Beringer brakes and wheels, 29" Bushwheel tires. | Charlie |
| 48 | N4570L | Eddie Sanches | 2023 Just Aircraft Highlander | Black/Red | Preferred Fueling Services
Badlands STOL
TK1 shocks | | Willis TX | DevilGirl_48_STOL | B-777 Captain for United Airlines. Live in a Hangar home with Crew Chief and bed partner, Sherri. We enjoy traveling together and seeing all of our competition and flying family throughout the year!
Devil Girl II is a brand new build and yet to prove herself in National STOL but she has loads of potential. | Yamaha 998T Sidewinder Turbo, 270HP | 1320 | | 29" Bushwheel | Carbon Concepts Slats | | |
| 918 | N263MB | Scott Tyree | 1998 Kitfox 4-1200 | "Not Cub" Yellow | AeroPlex Labs - AeroGuard | AeroGuard | Princeton TX | https://www.youtube.com/@TheRedRiverFox/videos | I have been around aviation in one form or another most of my life but did not start on my Pilot Cert until January of 2020. Any guesses how that went? Once we got past the lockdown I ramped up training and spent some quality time with a DPE in May 2021. The knowledge test was the hardest twelve hours of my life, but the actual flight was the most fun I had flying up to that point. With my brand new cert in hand I started looking for a way to ensure I can retire flat broke. Which led me to start building a nice RV. After very little time I realized that the RV was going to take forever and cost WAY too much. So in July of 2023 I ran across an ad for a sweet little Kitfox not too far from me. I went up just to check it out and ended up trailering it home. Several hundred hours and many dollars later the RedRiver Fox airborne again and already giving me tons of memories and introducing me to a world of new friends.
My goal for taking part in Natl STOL is not to bring home trophies, its to get to hang out with THE best pilots in the world and greatly improve my precision landing skills. Ok, I like the t-shirts too! | Rotax 912ULS 100HP | 1200 | 748 | 27" Aero Classic | TK1 Shockmonster Mains, T3 AirLite Tailwheel suspension, STOLSpeed VG's, Highly polished windscreen, "Go Fast" racing stripes, NOS Sticker | GRT Sport EFIS, Custom "low padding" seat cushions, Overweight pilot for added balast | RedRiver Fox |
