August 14-16, 2026 | McMinnville Airport | McMinnville, OR

STOL Demo

Returning to McMinnville, it’s the STOL Demo! The STOL Demo stimulates a real competition to give fans a glimpse into one of the fastest-growing aviation competitions.

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About STOL

STOL stands for Short Take Off and Landing. During their demo, the pilots will simulate what a real STOL competition looks like and backcountry capabilities. Here’s what to expect:

Each plane starts at a designated marker or line
They’ll begin to speed down the ramp and take off
Someone will mark the spot where the plane becomes airborne
The pilots will fly a tight pattern and turn back from where they took off
They must touch down as close to the line as possible – Without going over which is called a “Scratch”.
Your total score is the combined take-off and landing distance
In the end, the person with the lowest score (distance) wins.

What to Expect at the Show

During the Show, pilots will demonstrate one by one. This will give everyone a chance to see how each step works and learn more about what goes into STOL.

Stay tuned to see which pilots will be joining us this year!

White STOL Drag competition aircraft with oversized tundra tires racing along the runway, motion blur emphasizing speed, featuring black stripes, star markings, and the number 22 on the fuselage.

A STOL Drag competition aircraft flies just above the runway surface with landing gear extended, photographed from the side against a backdrop of trees and open sky.

A modified STOL Drag competition aircraft with oversized tundra tires is positioned on a grass runway, viewed from the side with wings level and trees in the background.

White STOL Drag competition aircraft with black stripes and star markings positioned on dry grass near a distance marker, with another STOL aircraft visible in the background.

White STOL Drag competition airplane with oversized tundra tires positioned on grass near a distance marker, as a course official in a safety vest stands beside the aircraft.

White STOL Drag competition aircraft with black stripes and the number 22 captured very close to the runway surface, oversized tundra tires extended and runway signage visible in the foreground.

Cream-and-burgundy STOL Drag competition airplane with oversized tundra tires positioned on dry grass beside an orange distance marker, with a course official in a safety vest signaling nearby

Orange, white, and green STOL Drag competition airplane on grass toward a marked stop zone, with a course official and distance markers visible nearby.

Orange, white, and green STOL Drag competition airplane just above the runway with wheels inches from the surface and motion blur in the background.

White STOL Drag competition aircraft with oversized tundra tires rolling to a stop on dry grass as a course official in a safety vest stands beside an orange distance marker.

STOL Drag competition airplane lifting off the runway with large tundra tires extended, captured head-on as it climbs above trees and hills in the background.

Side view of a white STOL Drag competition airplane with large tundra tires accelerating on the runway, nose art visible on the engine cowling and background blurred from speed.