The airshow season is about fast-moving, rapidly gyrating aircraft. For some, it’s about witnessing a watchmaker’s level of finesse required to land on a dime and stop in one fuselage length. That’s the audience for the new Sod Buster STOL Competition (Facebook link), to be launched this August at the Milaca, Minn., airport (18Y).
Starting Aug. 3, the event, organized by Jeff Pohl, will feature four categories of aircraft with an award ceremony coinciding with a pig roast. Pilots who want to test their mettle will pay $50 for the privilege, but spectators are admitted free of change. In fact, there are no tiedown or camping fees assessed. The pig roast will be extra and there will be an $8 breakfast available on Sunday morning “for all the eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes anyone can eat.” Challenge accepted.
“The goal is to have a good time and to make this an annual event,” said Pohl. “We’re hoping we might attract some of the traffic departing EAA AirVenture, and we will be offering camping space starting on the 29th of July.” Pohl intends this to be the first of what will become an annual summertime event.
