MOSES LAKE, WASH. — Earlier this month, John Douglas and Angela Douglas flew to Moses Lake, Washington to compete in Moses Lake STOL and promote the upcoming event planned in Pinedale. The competition in Washington is part of the National STOL circuit.

The Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) competitions were born from Alaskan bush pilots who gathered together at annual events to practice putting down and taking off in small, tight spaces. Representing Sublette County in Washington, John Douglas took home first place and earned points that were added to his fourth place points from Heritage STOL held April 26-27 in Virginia Beach. Douglas is holding down third place for the season on the National STOL circuit.

Emblem Aviation hosts the Rocky Mountain STOL competition at Ralph Wenz Field from Aug. 15-17. A pilot practice session scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 is free to the public. A concert in the park along with a pilot meet and greet follows on Friday at 5 p.m., with live music by Them Coulee Boys and Stacy Antonel. The airport gates open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, with the competition beginning at 9 a.m. Advance tickets are available for $15 per person online. Tickets at the gate are $20 per person. Competitor entry is $175. Children 12 and under may attend for free.

More than 550 spectators attended the first annual Rocky Mountain STOL competition held in Pinedale in 2022. The event has only grown in popularity since, with a crowd of more than 900 watching 31 pilots compete in 2023.

For more information, visit https://rockymountainstol.com/.