Valdez STOL: Breeden Wins Again
May 19, 2016 - Twenty-two-year-old Bobby Breeden, EAA 1131136, of Sterling, Alaska, won the short takeoff/landing (STOL) competition in the Alternate Bush Class at the 13th annual Valdez Fly-In and Air Show held May 6-8.
Breeden, who has been competing in STOL competitions since he was 17, made a 40-foot takeoff and 55-foot landing to claim his second consecutive victory in as many years.
The STOL contest, which featured aircraft specially modified to take off and land in short distances, included competitions in five different aircraft classes. Breeden’s takeoff was the shortest overall.
Other winning pilots included:
- Ben Brown of Kasilof, Alaska, Light Touring Class, - 244 feet total, 161-foot takeoff and 83-foot landing, in a Cessna 172
- Matt Conklin of Boise, Idaho, Heavy Touring Class – 258 feet total, 90-foot takeoff and 168-foot landing, in a Cessna 180
- Jacob Williams of Anchorage, Alaska, Bush Class – 165 feet total, 54-foot takeoff and 111-foot landing, in a PA-18
- Robert Pedersen of Oriental, North Carolina, Light Sport Class – 103 feet total, 54-foot takeoff and 49-foot landing, in a Just Aircraft
The popular flight competitions and demonstrations will be featured once again at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016. Several Valdez competitors, including Breeden, will showcase their aircraft in competitions similar to those held at Valdez to excite AirVenture visitors with some fun flying.
