Revised February 26, 2024: Since the initial schedule announcement, events in Virginia Beach, VA, and Moses Lake, WA, have been added. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the event in Redwing, MN will not be taking place in 2024.
The National STOL series is pleased to announce its initial 2024 schedule! With 10 regular season competitions and a stand alone National Finals, this year is poised to be the most thrilling and competitive season yet.
The series kicks off in Jennings, LA, on March 22-23 with the 4th Annual Swamp STOL Competition and Fly-In. One of the longest running National STOL events, the Cajun charm and southern hospitality make this a pilot and spectator favorite from year to year.
Newly added to the schedule, National STOL will travel to Virginia Beach, VA for Heritage STOL at the Military Aviation Museum. This unique event will have increased historical context as National STOL’s partnership with the museum places these modern aircraft in relation of their military predecessors. Spectator tickets will include museum admission to view their full collection.
Heritage STOL is only the first of four new events throughout the spring and early summer! May will find the National STOL series just outside of Fort Smith in Pocola, OK, with Arklahoma STOL at Patriot Airpark, a brand new, centrally located fly-in community. It will be followed by an appearance at the Moses Lake Airshow in Moses Lake, WA and Appalachian Mountain STOL in Clarion, PA.
From new events to returning favorites, the season continues with Sodbusters STOL and Rocky Mountain STOL. Sodbusters returns for a 3rd time to Hartford, WI, the weekend before EAA AirVenture and just a 30 minute flight from Oshkosh. Rocky Mountain STOL in picturesque Pinedale, WY, experienced massive growth in its second year and was considered by many pilots to be a highlight of their 2023 season.
We remain out west for Oregon Trail STOL the first weekend of September before heading back to Gallatin, TN, for the second annual Music City STOL competition! A month later than its 2023 premiere, Music City will now take place the second weekend in October.
The season wraps up with Lonestar STOL and National Finals, once again presented by American Legend Aircraft at their home airport in Sulphur Springs, TX. This year, Lonestar STOL will be a stand-along competition on Friday, November 1 with National Finals for pilots who qualify on Saturday, November 2.
Please note that all events are tentative and subject to change in date or location until the time registration opens.
About National STOL: National STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) represents a competitive series designed for pilots across the nation to demonstrate their prowess in a sport-oriented environment. Pilots compete in one or more events throughout the year, accumulating points towards an annual National Title for top performers. While proficiency in short takeoffs and landings is typically associated with bush pilots navigating backcountry terrain, it is a skill that all aviators can and should refine, ensuring our competitions are accessible to anyone involved in general aviation.
Our vision at National STOL is simple: we introduce the excitement of general aviation to a nationwide audience, challenge pilots to better themselves, and foster the next generation of aviators. Established in 2020, our series has demonstrated continuous growth with four competitions in 2021, six in 2022. and eight in 2023. As we enter the 2024 season, National STOL plans to host ten to twelve events from coast to coast.
Along with our in person spectators and team of pilots, National STOL sets itself apart from other airshows by producing live broadcasts of many of our competitions and effectively utilizing social media to deliver the action to more viewers than ever before. National STOL’s high levels of engagement position us uniquely in the aviation and tourism communities.
For additional information about National STOL, including partnership opportunities, contact info@nationalstol.com.